Orders, decorations, and medals of Rhodesia

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The Rhodesian honours system was established at the time that Rhodesia unilaterally declared itself a republic in March 1970, when a system of military and civil decorations and awards was instituted by Presidential Warrant in November 1970. [1]

Contents

Prior to 2 March 1970, Rhodesians were conferred awards in the British honours system.

List of honours

The list of Rhodesian honours and decorations, in order of precedence, is as follows:

Caption
NamePostnominalCivilian
Ribbon
Military / Police
Ribbon
Service
Grand Cross of Valour GCV- Grand Cross of Valour ribbon.svg ALL
Conspicuous Gallantry Decoration CGD- Conspicuous Gallantry Decoration BAR.svg Civilian
Grand Commander of the Legion of Merit GCLM Rhodesian Legion of Merit (Civil Order) BAR.svg None AwardedBoth
Grand Officer of the Legion of Merit GLM Rhodesian Legion of Merit (Civil Order) BAR.svg Rhodesian Legion of Merit (Military Order) BAR.svg Both
Independence Decoration ID Independence Decoration (Rhodesia) BAR.svg -Civilian
Independence Commemorative Decoration ICD Independence Commemorative Decoration (Rhodesia) BAR.svg -Civilian
Commander of the Legion of Merit CLM Rhodesian Legion of Merit (Civil Order) BAR.svg Rhodesian Legion of Merit (Military Order) BAR.svg Both
Police Cross for Conspicuous Gallantry PCG- Rhodesian Police Cross for Conspicuous Gallantry BAR.svg Police
Silver Cross of Rhodesia SCR- Silver Cross of Rhodesia BAR.svg Military
Prison Cross for GallantryRPC- Prison Cross for Gallantry BAR.svg Military
Officer of the Legion of Merit OLM Rhodesian Legion of Merit (Civil Order) BAR.svg Rhodesian Legion of Merit (Military Order) BAR.svg Both
Member of the Legion of Merit MLM Rhodesian Legion of Merit (Civil Order) BAR.svg Rhodesian Legion of Merit (Military Order) BAR.svg Both
Police Decoration for Gallantry PDG- Police Decoration for Gallantry BAR.svg Police
Bronze Cross of Rhodesia (Army)BCR- Bronze Cross of Rhodesia (Army) BAR.svg Military
Bronze Cross of Rhodesia (Airforce)BCR- Bronze Cross of Rhodesia (Air Force) BAR.svg Military
Bronze Cross of Rhodesia (Guards)BCR- Bronze Cross of Rhodesia (Guards) BAR.svg Military
Police Cross for Distinguished Service PCD- Police Cross for Distinguished Service BAR.svg Police
Defence Cross for Distinguished Service DCD- Defence Cross for Distinguished Service BAR.svg Military
Rhodesia Prison Cross for Distinguished Service PSC- Prison Cross for Distinguished Service BAR.svg Prison
Meritorious Conduct Medal MCM- RSR Meritorious Conduct Medal ribbon.png Military
Rhodesia Prison Medal for Gallantry RPM- Prison Medal for Gallantry BAR.svg Prison
Medal for Meritorious Service MSM Medal for Meritorious Service ribbon.svg Medal for Meritorious Service ribbon (Military).svg Both
Police Medal for Meritorious Service PMM- Police Medal for Meritorious Service BAR.svg Police
Defence Forces' Medal for Meritorious Service DMM- Defence Forces Medal for Meritorious Service BAR.svg Military
Rhodesia Prison Medal for Meritorious Service PMS- Prison Medal for Meritorious Service BAR.svg Prison
President's Medal for Chiefs [2] - NOT-AVAILABLE-RIBBON.svg -Chiefs
President's Medal for Headmen - NOT-AVAILABLE-RIBBON.svg -Chiefs
Military Forces' Commendation -- RSR GSM ribbon with Military Forces' Commendation.png Military
Director’s Commendation (Prisons) -- NOT-AVAILABLE-RIBBON.svg Prison
Police Long Service Medal (Rhodesia) -- NOT-AVAILABLE-RIBBON.svg Police
Exemplary Service Medal ESM- Exemplary Service Medal BAR.svg ALL
Prison Long Service Medal (Rhodesia) -- NOT-AVAILABLE-RIBBON.svg Prison
Police Reserve Long Service Medal (Rhodesia) -- NOT-AVAILABLE-RIBBON.svg
Medal for Territorial or Reserve Service -- Medal for Territorial or Reserve Service BAR.svg Military
Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Rhodesia) -- Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal BAR.svg Fire Brigade
Rhodesia Badge of Honour - Badge of Honour ribbon.png Badge of Honour ribbon.png ALL
President’s Medal for Shooting Pres MS- President's Medal for Shooting (Rhodesia) Ribbon.svg ALL
General Service Medal -- Rhodesia General Service Medal ribbon.svg Police
General Service Medal -- Rhodesia General Service Medal ribbon.svg Military
Prison General Service Medal -- Prison Service Medal BAR.svg Prison
Rhodesian District Service Medal - Ribbon - District Service Medal (Rhodesia).svg [lower-alpha 1] -INTAF

Details and recipients

Around 12,000 awards were given out between 1970 and 1981. The last Rhodesian gallantry awards were awarded in June 1980, [1] three months after Zimbabwe's independence. However, Rhodesian long-service decorations continued to be given to police officers and service personnel until June 1982. [3]

The most highly decorated soldier in the Rhodesian Army was Major Grahame Wilson, second-in-command of the Rhodesian SAS, who was awarded the Grand Cross of Valour, Silver Cross of Rhodesia and Bronze Cross of Rhodesia. [4]

See also

Notes

  1. Department of Internal Affairs (INTAF)

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References

  1. 1 2 Rhodesia Medal Roll, p7
  2. "President's Medal for Chiefs" . Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  3. Rhodesia Medal Roll, p8
  4. SAS Rhodesia, p283