The Southern Rhodesia Service Medal 1939–1945 was a campaign medal of the British

Commonwealth A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has been synonymous with "republic". The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the ...

. It was awarded to members of the Southern Rhodesia Defence Forces for home service during World War II.

Eligibility

After the war, the colony's government pressed the Dominions Office in London for a distinct Southern Rhodesian war medal for home service, to reward those who would otherwise not have received a campaign medal. In response, the Southern Rhodesia Service Medal was authorised in 1948 and distributed from 1949. The medal was awarded to members of the Southern Rhodesian Defence Forces who had at least six months full or part-time service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945, and who were not eligible for any other British World War II campaign medal. *A total of 3,908 medals were awarded, mainly to those who had served part-time: ** Southern Rhodesia Territorial Force: 3,140 ** British South Africa Police Reservists: 497 ** Those who served with both bodies: 271 While most of the recipients were white, 62 Africans serving with the British South Africa Police received the medal.

Description

* It is a circular, cupro-nickel medal, in diameter. * The obverse has the crowned effigy of

King George VI George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death in 1952. He was also the last Emperor of Ind ...

facing left, with the legend "GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX ET INDIAE IMP." (George VI by the grace of God King of Great Britain and Emperor of India). * The reverse was designed by

Humphrey Paget Thomas Humphrey Paget OBE (13 August 1893 – 30 April 1974) was an English medal and coin designer and modeller. Paget's designs are indicated by the initials 'HP'. Paget was first approached by the Royal Mint in 1936 after the accession of ...

and shows the coat of arms of Southern Rhodesia, surrounded by the words "+ FOR SERVICE IN SOUTHERN RHODESIA + 1939-1945". * The ribbon, wide, is beetle green with red and black stripes at each edge, the colours of the Rhodesia Regiment.Giles Penman. ''A medal for those without any medals: the Southern Rhodesia Service Medal 1939-45''. Orders & Medals Research Society Journal, December 2016, pp 260-264. * The medal was issued unnamed.

Clasps

There are no clasps for this medal

References

{{British campaign medals Military history of Rhodesia