South African Military Medals

Key Reference Works

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

• Alexander, E. G. M., Barron G. K. B. & Bateman, A. J. (1986). South African Orders, Decorations and Medals. Human and Rousseau. [citation:1]
• Fforde, J.P.I. & Monick, S. (1986). A guide to South African orders, decorations and medals and their ribbons 1896-1985. Johannesburg: South African National Museum of Military History. [citation:2][citation:5][citation:10]
• Monick, S. (1988). South African military awards 1912-1987. Johannesburg: South African National Museum of Military History. [citation:5][citation:8]
• Monick, S. (1988). Awards of the South African uniformed public services 1922-1981. Johannesburg: South African National Museum of Military History. [citation:5][citation:8]
• Monick, S. (1990). South African Civil Awards 1910–1990. South African National Museum of Military History. [citation:1][citation:5]
• Matthysen, P. (2009). A Guide to South African Military Awards. Johannesburg: Marc Norman. – The most complete and detailed publication on South African military awards from Union to the present democratic republic . [citation:3]
• Roos, P.F. (2023). Honoris Crux: The Evolution of South Africa's Cross of Honour. Cape Town: New Voices Publishing. – Extremely thorough archival research on the HC decoration . [citation:3]
• Van Wyk, A. (1982, 1985, 2008). Honoris Crux: Ons Dapperes/Our Brave (volumes I & II) and revised editions. Accounts of HC recipients . [citation:3]

Historical Development

Colonial and 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 themselves . 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 forces .

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 War . Between 1937 and 1952, King George VI instituted several civil and military decorations for the Union, including the King's Medal for Bravery .

The 1952–1975 Group

In 1952, to mark the 300th anniversary of European settlement, South Africa established its own independent honours system . 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 President . 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 Cross .

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 instituted . Between 1987 and 1991, another eleven new decorations and medals were added . 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 significantly .

The TBVC States and 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 medals . 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) . In 1996, a set of decorations and medals was instituted for members and veterans of MK and APLA .

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 them . 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 emblems .

Anglo‑Boer War (1899–1902)

Queen's South Africa Medal

Awarded to all military personnel who served in South Africa between 11 October 1899 and 31 May 1902. It was issued with numerous bars for specific battles and campaigns (e.g., "BELMONT", "MODDER RIVER", "PAARDEBERG", "DREIFONTEIN", "JOHANNESBURG", "CAPE COLONY") .

King's South Africa Medal

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

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

World Wars (1914–1918, 1939–1945)

First World War (1914–1918)

• 1914–15 Star – for service in any theatre between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915.
• British War Medal (1914–1920) – silver, for service overseas.
• Victory Medal (1914–1919) – bronze, with "THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILISATION 1914–1919" on reverse.

Second World War (1939–1945)

• 1939–45 Star – for operational service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945.
• Africa Star – for service in North Africa between 10 June 1940 and 12 May 1943.
• Italy Star – for service in Italy between 11 June 1943 and 8 May 1945.
• Defence Medal – for service in non-operational zones subjected to air attack or closely threatened.
• War Medal 1939–1945 – for 28 days' service in uniform between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945.
• Africa Service Medal (1943–1994) – South Africa's own campaign medal for World War II service, awarded to all members of the Union Defence Forces who served in the war .

1952–1975 Group

The first purely South African series, instituted by Queen Elizabeth II on 6 April 1952 . Key awards included:

• Castle of Good Hope Decoration (CGH) (1952–2003) – the South African equivalent of the Victoria Cross, for exceptional gallantry .
• 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 SADF .
• Southern Cross Medal (SM) (1952–1975) – for meritorious service.
• Pro Merito Medal (PMM) (1967–1975) – for exceptional service by other ranks.

1975–2003 Group (Border War Era)

The 1975 series introduced a hierarchy of merit awards and cumulative long service medals . Key decorations included:

Honoris Crux (1975 series)

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

• HC Diamond – never awarded
• HC Gold (HCG) – awarded six times
• HC Silver (HCS) – awarded 28 times
• HC (standard) – awarded 199 times

Three recipients were decorated twice with the HC, and seven recipients received the HC and other bravery awards . The largest single action for which the HC was conferred was Operation Coolidge, a Special Forces operation in Angola by 4 Reconnaissance Regiment in 1987 .

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) .

Southern Cross Medal (1975)

For meritorious service (post-nominal SM).

Pro Merito Medal (1975)

For exceptional service by other ranks.

Campaign and Service Medals (Border War)

• Pro Patria Medal – awarded for the defence of South Africa or prevention of terrorism; over 350,000 issued . 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 Africa .
• 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‑nickel . 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 Drift .

2003–present Group (Nkwe/Leopard Series)

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

Bravery Awards

• Nkwe ya Gauta (NG) (Leopard in Gold) – the highest award for bravery, equivalent to the Castle of Good Hope Decoration .
• Nkwe ya Selefera (NS) (Leopard in Silver) – for exceptional gallantry.
• Nkwe ya Boronse (NB) (Leopard in Bronze) – for gallantry.

Meritorious Service

• iPhrothiya yeGolide (PG) (Golden Protea) – for outstanding service.
• iPhrothiya yeSiliva (PS) (Silver Protea) – for excellent service.
• iPhrothiya yeBhronzi (PB) (Bronze Protea) – for distinguished service.

Campaign and Service Medals

• Tshumelo Ikatelaho Medal – for internal and external military service, replaces the Pro Patria Medal and General Service Medal .
• Long Service Medal – for 10 years' service with good conduct.

Order of Wear

The official consolidated table of precedence for South African orders, decorations and medals was published in Government Gazette 27376 dated 11 March 2005 . More than 300 post-1952 South African and homeland awards are integrated into a single system .

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

Sources

• Wikipedia: South African honours system
• Wikipedia: South African military decorations order of wearing
• Fforde, J.P.I. & Monick, S. (1986). A guide to South African orders, decorations and medals and their ribbons 1896-1985
• Monick, S. (1988). South African military awards 1912-1987
• Alexander, E.G.M., Barron, G.K.B. & Bateman, A.J. (1986). South African Orders, Decorations and Medals
• Roos, P.F. (2023). Honoris Crux: The Evolution of South Africa's Cross of Honour
• Gentleman's Military Interest Club forum
• Stanford University / South African National Museum of Military History publications

Revision History