South African military medals.

The following works are essential for collectors and researchers of South African military medals.

ZAR Republican precursors · 1874 – 1876

Before the modern SA military honours system, two republican Presidential awards emerged from the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek — both instituted on presidential authority alone, neither formally sanctioned by the Volksraad. The earlier of the two is the Gold Burgers' Cross of 1874 — recognised by recent research as South Africa's first Presidential Award. President Thomas Burgers instituted it to honour three women: two who nursed the Pilgrim's Rest gold-fields through a fever epidemic, and one (Catharina van Rees of the Netherlands) who composed the Republic's national anthem.

Two years later came the Transvaal Cross of Honour (1876) — arguably the first ZAR military award proper. Together the two Crosses establish a republican honours tradition that predates the official SA military medals series by nearly eighty years, even as the British 1854 South Africa Medal was being awarded in parallel for service on the Eastern Frontier.

Colonial & Dominion era · 1854 – 1952

The British honours system applied to South Africa as colonial rule was established. From 1894, colonial governments could award military long service medals themselves1. This system continued after Union in 1910. During World War I and World War II, British decorations for gallantry and distinguished service, including the Victoria Cross, were awarded to South African forces1.

In 1920, the government established a special series of awards for veterans who had fought in the Boer forces during the 1899 – 1902 Anglo-Boer War1. Between 1937 and 1952, King George VI instituted several civil and military decorations for the Union, including the King's Medal for Bravery1.

The 1952 – 1975 group

In 1952, to mark the 300th anniversary of European settlement, South Africa established its own independent honours system1. The first purely South African military decorations and medals were instituted by Queen Elizabeth II on 6 April 1952 and, from 31 May 1961, by the State President1. The series consisted of substitutes for many British and Commonwealth awards, with ten initial awards and a further eight added by 1970. The highest award was the Castle of Good Hope Decoration (1952 – 2003), the equivalent of the Victoria Cross1.

The 1975 – 2003 group

In July 1975, the military decorations and medals were revised. Seven decorations were carried over from the earlier series, and thirteen new awards were instituted1. Between 1987 and 1991, another eleven new decorations and medals were added1. As the South African Defence Force was engaged in military operations in South West Africa and Angola throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the number of awards granted each year increased significantly1.

The TBVC states & liberation armies

Between 1976 and 1981, the four independent republics of Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei — the TBVC states — were established. Each instituted its own set of military decorations and medals1. On 27 April 1994, the SADF was integrated with six other forces into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), including the Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei Defence Forces, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), and the Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA)1. In 1996, a set of decorations and medals was instituted for members and veterans of MK and APLA1.

The 2003 group

All but one of these earlier awards were discontinued for services performed on or after 27 April 2003, when a new set of nine decorations and medals was instituted to replace them1. The current series is considerably smaller, consisting of three decorations for bravery — the Nkwe ya Gauta (NG) being the highest — three for meritorious service, a campaign medal, a long service medal, and two emblems1.

Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) — awarded for gallantry to other ranks. Rare.

ZAR and OFS medals — the Boer Republics' own awards are extremely rare, as they were not widely issued.

The first purely South African series, instituted by Queen Elizabeth II on 6 April 19521. Key awards included:

• Castle of Good Hope Decoration (CGH) (1952 – 2003) — the South African equivalent of the Victoria Cross, for exceptional gallantry1.
• Louw Wepener Decoration (LWD) (1952 – 1975) — for outstanding leadership and gallantry.
• Van Riebeeck Decoration (DVR) (1952 – 1975) — for distinguished service in the field.
• Honoris Crux (HC) (1952 series) — only five were awarded between 1973 and 1974 in the SADF6.
• Southern Cross Medal (SM) (1952 – 1975) — for meritorious service.
• Pro Merito Medal (PMM) (1967 – 1975) — for exceptional service by other ranks.

The 1975 series introduced a hierarchy of merit awards and cumulative long service medals1.

Honoris Crux (1975 series)

Graded into four classes, the HC was the SADF's highest award for bravery6. It can be considered the South African equivalent of the Victoria Cross or the US Congressional Medal of Honour6.

Three recipients were decorated twice with the HC, and seven recipients received the HC and other bravery awards6. The largest single action for which the HC was conferred was Operation Coolidge, a Special Forces operation in Angola by 4 Reconnaissance Regiment in 19876.

Pro Virtute Decoration (PVD)

Instituted in 1987 for non-combat deeds of heroism; part of the Service Cross series (Army Cross, Air Force Cross, Navy Cross, Medical Service Cross)1.

Southern Cross Medal (1975) · Pro Merito Medal (1975)

The Southern Cross Medal was awarded for meritorious service (post-nominal SM). The Pro Merito Medal was for exceptional service by other ranks.

Campaign & service medals · Border War

• Pro Patria Medal — awarded for the defence of South Africa or prevention of terrorism; over 350,000 issued4. The rare bar "CUNENE" for operations in Cunene is the only bar awarded.
• General Service Medal (GSM) — instituted 1 January 1983 for service within South Africa1.
• Southern Africa Medal — awarded for specific cross-border raids. Originally intended to be made from the metal of a T34 Russian tank; the metal was found inferior and a small amount was included with cupro-nickel4. Quite rare.
• John Chard Decoration (JCD) and John Chard Medal (JCM) — replaced the Efficiency Medal, awarded for long service. Named after John Chard VC, garrison commander at the Defence of Rorke's Drift3.

The current series, instituted from 27 April 2003, is considerably smaller than the previous system1.

The official consolidated table of precedence for South African orders, decorations and medals was published in Government Gazette 27376 dated 11 March 20052. More than 300 post-1952 South African and homeland awards are integrated into a single system2.

Until 5 April 1952, all South African and Commonwealth awards were worn in the order prescribed by the British Central Chancery2. With effect from 6 April 1952, South African awards took precedence after the Victoria Cross2. The current order of wear is complex; collectors should refer to the official Government Gazette or authoritative references2.