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Orders, decorations, and medals of Rhodesia

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]

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

List of honours

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

Caption
Name Postnominal Civilian
Ribbon		 Military / Police
Ribbon		 Service
Grand Cross of Valour GCV -   ALL
Conspicuous Gallantry Decoration CGD -   Civilian
Grand Commander of the Legion of Merit GCLM   None Awarded Both
Grand Officer of the Legion of Merit GLM     Both
Independence Decoration ID   - Civilian
Independence Commemorative Decoration ICD   - Civilian
Commander of the Legion of Merit CLM     Both
Police Cross for Conspicuous Gallantry PCG -   Police
Silver Cross of Rhodesia SCR -   Military
Prison Cross for Gallantry RPC -   Military
Officer of the Legion of Merit OLM     Both
Member of the Legion of Merit MLM     Both
Police Decoration for Gallantry PDG -   Police
Bronze Cross of Rhodesia (Army) BCR -   Military
Bronze Cross of Rhodesia (Airforce) BCR -   Military
Bronze Cross of Rhodesia (Guards) BCR -   Military
Police Cross for Distinguished Service PCD -   Police
Defence Cross for Distinguished Service DCD -   Military
Rhodesia Prison Cross for Distinguished Service PSC -   Prison
Meritorious Conduct Medal MCM -   Military
Rhodesia Prison Medal for Gallantry RPM -   Prison
Medal for Meritorious Service MSM     Both
Police Medal for Meritorious Service PMM -   Police
Defence Forces' Medal for Meritorious Service DMM -   Military
Rhodesia Prison Medal for Meritorious Service PMS -   Prison
President's Medal for Chiefs[2] -   - Chiefs
President's Medal for Headmen -   - Chiefs
Military Forces' Commendation - -   Military
Director’s Commendation (Prisons) - -   Prison
Police Long Service Medal (Rhodesia) - -   Police
Exemplary Service Medal ESM -   ALL
Prison Long Service Medal (Rhodesia) - -   Prison
Police Reserve Long Service Medal (Rhodesia) - -  
Medal for Territorial or Reserve Service - -   Military
Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Rhodesia) - -   Fire Brigade
Rhodesia Badge of Honour -     ALL
President’s Medal for Shooting Pres MS -   ALL
General Service Medal - -   Police
General Service Medal - -   Military
Prison General Service Medal - -   Prison
Rhodesian District Service Medal -  [a] - INTAF

Details and recipients

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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

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Notes

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  1. ^ Department of Internal Affairs (INTAF)

References

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