The Rhodesian honours system was established at the time that

Rhodesia Rhodesia (, ), officially from 1970 the Republic of Rhodesia, was an unrecognised state in Southern Africa from 1965 to 1979, equivalent in territory to modern Zimbabwe. Rhodesia was the ''de facto'' successor state to the British colony of S ...

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.''Rhodesia Medal Roll'', p7 Prior to 2 March 1970, Rhodesians were conferred awards in the

British Honours System In the United Kingdom and the British Overseas Territories, personal bravery, achievement, or service are rewarded with honours. The honours system consists of three types of award: *Honours are used to recognise merit in terms of achievement a ...

List of honours

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

Grand Cross of Valour The Grand Cross of Valour was Rhodesia's highest military decoration, awarded for conspicuous valour by members of the Security Forces in combat. It was the equivalent of the Victoria Cross, which it replaced, and was formerly conferred on Rho ...

(G.C.V.) *The Conspicuous Gallantry Decoration (C.G.D.) *The Grand Commander of the

Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the eight ...

(G.C.L.M.) *The Grand Officer of the

(G.L.M.) *The

Independence Decoration The Independence Decoration was a Rhodesian civil decoration awarded to persons who played a notable and significant part in the Unilateral Declaration of Independence in 1965. Institution The award was instituted in 1970 by Presidential War ...

(I.D.) *The

Independence Commemorative Decoration The Independence Commemorative Decoration was a Rhodesian civil decoration awarded to persons who had rendered valuable service to Rhodesia. The award was instituted in 1970 by Presidential Warrant, the first awards being made the same year. Recip ...

(I.C.D.) *Commander of the

(C.L.M.) * Police Cross for Conspicuous Gallantry (P.C.G.) *The

Silver Cross of Rhodesia The Silver Cross of Rhodesia was Rhodesia's second-highest military decoration for conspicuous gallantry. It was the equivalent of the Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Conduct Medal and Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, with all ranks elig ...

(S.C.R.) *Prison Cross for Gallantry (R.P.C.) *Officer of the

(O.L.M.) *The Member of the

(M.L.M.) *The Police Decoration for Gallantry (P.D.G.) *The

Bronze Cross of Rhodesia The Bronze Cross of Rhodesia was a Rhodesian military decoration for gallantry. Institution The award was instituted in 1970 by Presidential Warrant, the first awards being made the same year. The last awards were made in June 1980. Medal The ...

(B.C.R.) *The

Police Cross for Distinguished Service The Police Cross for Distinguished Service was a medal awarded by the President of Rhodesia. History The Police Cross for Distinguished Service was awarded for Distinguished Police Service. Description A silver and gold-plated 38mm Malte ...

(P.C.D.) *The

Defence Cross for Distinguished Service The Defence Cross for Distinguished Service was a Rhodesian military decoration awarded for distinguished service to Rhodesia's armed forces. Institution The award was instituted in 1970 by Presidential Warrant, the first awards being made i ...

(D.C.D.) *The Rhodesia Prison Cross for Distinguished Service (P.S.C.) *The Meritorious Conduct Medal (M.C.M.) *The

Rhodesia Prison Medal for Gallantry Rhodesia (, ), officially from 1970 the Republic of Rhodesia, was an unrecognised state in Southern Africa from 1965 to 1979, equivalent in territory to modern Zimbabwe. Rhodesia was the ''de facto'' Succession of states, successor state to th ...

(R.P.M.) *The Medal for Meritorious Service (M.S.M.) *The

Police Medal for Meritorious Service A list of awards given to members of the Hong Kong Civil Service: Medal for Bravery (Silver) (MBS) : Hong Kong Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PDSM) 1998 * Mr Chau Foo-cheong, PDSM 1999 * Mr Lam Kin, Lionel, PDSM 2000 * Mr Michael Ha ...

(P.M.M.) *The

Defence Forces' Medal for Meritorious Service The Defence Forces' Medal for Meritorious Service was a medal awarded by the Republic of Rhodesia. History The Defence Forces' Medal for Meritorious Service was a medal awarded for Meritorious service to the Rhodesian Defence Forces. Descri ...

(D.M.M.) *The

Rhodesia Prison Medal for Meritorious Service Rhodesia (, ), officially from 1970 the Republic of Rhodesia, was an unrecognised state in Southern Africa from 1965 to 1979, equivalent in territory to modern Zimbabwe. Rhodesia was the ''de facto'' Succession of states, successor state to th ...

(P.M.S.) *The President’s Medal for Chiefs *The President’s Medal for Headmen *The

Military Forces’ Commendation The Military Forces' Commendation was a military decoration awarded by the Republic of Rhodesia. History The Military Forces' Commendation was created "to denote an act of bravery, distinguished service, or continuous devotion to duty in the ...

*The Director’s Commendation (Prisons) *The

Police Long Service Medal (Rhodesia) The police are a constituted body of persons empowered by a state, with the aim to enforce the law, to ensure the safety, health and possessions of citizens, and to prevent crime and civil disorder. Their lawful powers include arrest and th ...

*The Exemplary Service Medal *The

Prison Long Service Medal (Rhodesia) A prison, also known as a jail, gaol (dated, English language in England, standard English, Australian English, Australian, and Huron Historic Gaol, historically in Canada), penitentiary (American English and Canadian English), detention cen ...

Police Reserve Long Service Medal (Rhodesia) The police are a constituted body of persons empowered by a state, with the aim to enforce the law, to ensure the safety, health and possessions of citizens, and to prevent crime and civil disorder. Their lawful powers include arrest and th ...

*The

Medal for Territorial or Reserve Service A medal or medallion is a small portable artistic object, a thin disc, normally of metal, carrying a design, usually on both sides. They typically have a commemorative purpose of some kind, and many are presented as awards. They may be int ...

Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Rhodesia) The Fire and Rescue Service Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was established in June 1954 as a long service medal awarded to members of fire and rescue services throughout the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. It was fir ...

*The

Rhodesia Badge of Honour The Rhodesia Badge of Honour (BoH) was a medal awarded by the government of the Republic of Rhodesia 'for long service and devotion to duty in Government, Municipal or private service.' History of the Badge The Rhodesia Badge of Honour has be ...

*The President’s Medal for Shooting (Pres MS) In addition, the General Service Medal was awarded for military and police service; the Prison General Service Medal for prison service, and the

Rhodesian District Service Medal The District Service Medal (DSM) was a medal awarded in lieu of the General Service Medal (Rhodesia) (GSM) for service on operations undertaken for the purpose of combating terrorists or enemy incursions into Rhodesia. It was awarded solely to Afr ...

for the Department of Internal Affairs (

INTAF The Ministry of Internal Affairs, commonly referred to as INTAF (or Intaf), was a cabinet ministry of the Rhodesian government. One of Rhodesia's most important governmental departments, it was responsible for the welfare and development of the ...

Details and recipients

Around 12,000 awards were given out between 1970 and 1981. The last Rhodesian gallantry awards were awarded in June 1980, three months after

Zimbabwe Zimbabwe (), officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country located in Southeast Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the south-west, Zambia to the north, and Mozam ...

's independence. However, Rhodesian long-service decorations continued to be given to police officers and service personnel until June 1982. The most highly decorated soldier in the Rhodesian Army was Major Grahame Wilson, second-in-command of the

Rhodesian SAS The Rhodesian Special Air Service or Rhodesian SAS was a Rhodesian special forces unit. It comprised: *C Squadron, Special Air Service Regiment (Malayan Emergency (1951–1953) *"C" Squadron (Rhodesian) Special Air Service (1961–1978) *1 (Rho ...

, who was awarded the Grand Cross of Valour, Silver Cross of Rhodesia and Bronze Cross of Rhodesia.''SAS Rhodesia'', p283

References

*Pittaway, J, and Fourie, C., 2003. ''SAS Rhodesia''
Dandy Agencies
South Africa. *Saffery, D., 2006. ''The Rhodesia Medal Roll''
Jeppestown Press
United Kingdom.
Rhodesian Militaria: Medals
- Detailed photos & descriptions of genuine Rhodesian military medals. {{Decorations by country Colonial orders of chivalry Orders, decorations, and medals of the British Empire Rhodesia

List of honours

Details and recipients

See also

References