Africa Service Medal
Africa Service Medal | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Type | Military Campaign medal |
Awarded for | Campaign service |
Country | ![]() |
Presented by | the Monarch of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India |
Eligibility | South African forces |
Campaign(s) | Second World War, 1939–1945 |
Established | 1943 |
Total | 192,000[1] |
![]() ![]() Ribbon bars without and with the King's Commendation | |
Order of wear | |
Next (higher) | War Medal 1939–1945 |
Next (lower) | King George V Coronation Medal |
The Africa Service Medal is a South African campaign medal for service during the Second World War, awarded to members of the Union Defence Forces, the South African Police and the South African Railways Police. The medal was originally intended for service in Africa, but it was later extended to cover service anywhere in the world.[2][3][4]
Institution
In addition to the British Second World War campaign medals awarded to combatants from all members of the British Commonwealth, several Commonwealth nations established their own service medals, all distinctive in design, purpose and criteria.[5]
For South Africa, the Africa Service Medal was instituted on 23 December 1943 by King George VI in his capacity as South African head of state, and was awarded in addition to the British campaign stars and medals awarded for the war.[2][3][4]
Award criteria
The Africa Service Medal was awarded to members of the Union Defence Forces, the South African Police and the South African Railways Police.[2][3][4]
To qualify for the medal, a member of those services must have volunteered for war service outside South Africa and must have served, either at home or abroad,[6] between South Africa's declaration of war on 6 September 1939 and 2 September 1945 inclusive, continuously for thirty days or part-time for at least eighteen hours in non continuous training.[1] As the name indicates, the medal was originally intended for service in Africa, up to the defeat of the Axis forces in North Africa in 1943, but it was later extended to cover service anywhere in the world, up to the end of the war in the Pacific on 2 September 1945.[2][3][4]
Union Defence Force land forces served in East Africa in 1940 and 1941, North Africa from 1941 to 1943, Madagascar in 1942, and Italy in 1944 and 1945. The South African Air Force served in all these campaigns, as well as in West Africa from 1943 to 1945, Sicily in 1943 and South-East Europe from 1943 to 1945, and provided air support to the Warsaw uprising in 1944. Naval forces and seconded personnel served in the Mediterranean from 1941 to 1945, Greece in 1941, the Arctic convoys from 1941 to 1945, the Java Sea in 1942, Sicily in 1943, the Indian Ocean from 1943 to 1945, the D-Day invasion in 1944, and the Pacific in 1945.[4]
In addition to the Africa Service Medal, the South African Medal for War Services was instituted in 1946 to reward voluntary unpaid service in support of the South African war during the Second World War.[6]
Description
The medal was struck in silver to a design suggested by Field Marshal Jan Smuts. It is 36 millimetres in diameter and 3 millimetres thick at the raised rim, and is affixed to the suspender by means of claws and a pin through the upper edge of the medal.[2][3] The recipient's name, rank, unit and number were impressed on the edge.[1]
- Obverse
The obverse depicts a map of Africa, surrounded by the name of the medal in English and Afrikaans, "AFRICA SERVICE MEDAL" at left and "AFRIKADIENS-MEDALJE" at right.[2][3][4]
- Reverse
The reverse depicts a prancing springbok against a landscape background. There is no inscription.[1][2][3][4]
- Ribbon
The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide and orange-red, the colour of the shoulder flash worn by South African volunteers, edged in 3½ mm wide green and yellow bands. The green and gold are the Springbok Rugby sporting colours, which were adopted as the defence force colours.[2]
South African Second World War ex-servicemen referred to the ribbon of this medal as Ouma's Garter. Ouma Smuts (Granny Smuts) was the nickname of the wife of the South African Second World War era prime minister, Field Marshal Jan Smuts.[7] The nickname was a tribute to her unstinting efforts to supply the South African troops with home comforts.
King's Commendation (1939–45)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/King%27s_Commendation_%28South_Africa%29.png/87px-King%27s_Commendation_%28South_Africa%29.png)
The King's Commendation (South Africa) (1939–45), denoted by a bronze King Protea flower emblem, was authorised to be worn on the ribbon of the Africa Service Medal and could be awarded for valuable services in connection with the Second World War. The Commendation could be awarded posthumously and was the equivalent of a Mention in Despatches, but for services rendered away from the battlefield. The full-size emblem, worn on the ribbon with the medal, is 19 millimetres high, and the miniature to be worn on the ribbon bar is 9 millimetres high.[2][3]
Order of wear
Campaign medals and stars are not listed by name in the order of wear prescribed by the British Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, but are grouped together as taking precedence after the Queen's Medal for Chiefs and before the Polar Medals, in order of the date of the campaign awarded.[8]
In the order of wear of the Second World War campaign medals, the two British campaign medals and the Africa Service Medal take precedence after the nine campaign stars, of which the order of wear was determined firstly by their respective campaign start dates, secondly by the campaign's duration and thirdly by their dates of institution.[8]
- The 1939–1945 Star, from 3 September 1939 to 2 September 1945, the full duration of the Second World War.[9]
- The Atlantic Star, from 3 September 1939 to 8 May 1945, the duration of the Battle of the Atlantic and the War in Europe.[10]
- The Arctic Star, from 3 September 1939 to 8 May 1945, the duration of the Battle of the Atlantic and the War in Europe.[11]
- The Air Crew Europe Star, from 3 September 1939 to 5 June 1944, the period until D-Day minus one.[12]
- The Africa Star, from 10 June 1940 to 12 May 1943, the duration of the North African Campaign.[13]
- The Pacific Star, from 8 December 1941 to 2 September 1945, the duration of the Pacific War.[14]
- The Burma Star, from 11 December 1941 to 2 September 1945, the duration of the Burma Campaign.[15]
- The Italy Star, from 11 June 1943 to 8 May 1945, the duration of the Italian Campaign.[16]
- The France and Germany Star, from 6 June 1944 to 8 May 1945, the duration of the Northwest Europe Campaign.[17]
- The Defence Medal, from 3 September 1939 to 2 September 1945, the full duration of the Second World War.[18]
- The War Medal 1939–1945, from 3 September 1939 to 2 September 1945, the full duration of the Second World War.[19]
The war service medals established by individual Commonwealth nations to augment the British Second World War campaign medals, all take precedence after the War Medal 1939–1945 in the respective orders of wear of those countries. These medals are, in order of date of institution:[4]
- The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, instituted on 22 October 1943.[20]
- The Africa Service Medal, instituted on 23 December 1943.[4]
- The India Service Medal, instituted on 6 June 1946.[21]
- The New Zealand War Service Medal, instituted on 6 June 1946.[22]
- The Australia Service Medal 1939–1945, instituted in November 1949.[23]
- The Newfoundland Volunteer War Service Medal, instituted on 6 November 6, 1981.
South Africa
On 6 April 1952 a new set of South African decorations and medals was instituted to replace the British awards used previously. The older British decorations and medals continued to be worn in the same order but, with the exception of the Victoria Cross, took precedence after all South African orders, decorations and medals. Of the British medals applicable to South Africans, the Africa Service Medal takes precedence as shown below.[8][24][25]
- Preceded by the War Medal 1939–1945.
- Succeeded by the King George V Coronation Medal.
References
- ^ a b c d Joslin, Litherland; Simpkin (1988). British Battles and Medals. London: Spink. p. 255.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Alexander, E.G.M.; Barron, G.K.B.; Bateman, A.J. (1986). South African Orders, Decorations and Medals. Human and Rousseau.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Monick, S (1988). South African Military Awards 1912–1987. South African National Museum of Military History. p. 49.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "South African Medal Website – Union Defence Forces (1939–52)". Retrieved 3 May 2015.
- ^ Zabecki, David T., ed. (1999). World War II in Europe – An Encyclopedia. Taylor & Francis. pp. 1049–1050. ISBN 0-8240-7029-1.
- ^ a b Mussell, John W., ed. (2015). Medal Yearbook 2015. Honiton, Devon: Token Publishing Limited. p. 194.
- ^ "South African Orders, Decorations and Medals A-Z". Archived from the original on 22 October 2009.
- ^ a b c "No. 38663". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 July 1949. p. 3404.(Access date 18 May 2018)
- ^ "New Zealand Defence Force – The 1939–45 Star Eligibility Rules". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
- ^ "New Zealand Defence Force – The Atlantic Star Eligibility Rules". Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ "Eligibility – The Arctic Star". Retrieved 18 May 2018.
- ^ "New Zealand Defence Force – The Air Crew Europe Star Eligibility Rules". Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
- ^ "New Zealand Defence Force – The Africa Star Eligibility Rules". Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
- ^ "New Zealand Defence Force – The Pacific Star Eligibility Rules". Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
- ^ "New Zealand Defence Force – The Burma Star Eligibility Rules". Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
- ^ "New Zealand Defence Force – The Italy Star Eligibility Rules". Archived from the original on 27 April 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
- ^ "New Zealand Defence Force – The France and Germany Star Eligibility Rules". Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
- ^ "New Zealand Defence Force – The Defence Medal Eligibility Rules". Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
- ^ "New Zealand Defence Force – The War Medal 1939–45 Eligibility Rules". Archived from the original on 29 April 2015. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
- ^ "Campaign Stars and Medals (1939–1954)". Veterans Affairs Canada. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
- ^ Joslin, Litherland; Simpkin (1988). British Battles and Medals. London: Spink. p. 254.
- ^ "New Zealand Campaign Medals – The New Zealand War Service Medal". Archived from the original on 4 May 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
- ^ "Australian Government - It's an Honour - Australia Service Medal 1939-1945". Retrieved 14 May 2015.
- ^ Government Notice no. 1982 of 1 October 1954 – Order of Precedence of Orders, Decorations and Medals, published in the Government Gazette of 1 October 1954.
- ^ "Republic of South Africa Government Gazette". 477 (27376). Pretoria. 11 March 2005. OCLC 72827981.
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![South Africa](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7a/Red_Ensign_of_South_Africa_%281910%E2%80%931912%29.svg/23px-Red_Ensign_of_South_Africa_%281910%E2%80%931912%29.svg.png)
Pre-Union
until 6 April 1952
Victoria Cross
Dekoratie voor Trouwe Dienst
Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Cross
Military Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Force Cross
Distinguished Conduct Medal
Distinguished Conduct Medal (Natal)
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying)
Distinguished Service Medal
Military Medal
Distinguished Flying Medal
Air Force Medal
British Empire Medal (Military)
South Africa Medal (1853)
South Africa Medal (1880)
Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal
Queen's South Africa Medal
Medalje voor de Anglo-Boere Oorlog
Lint voor Verwonding
King's South Africa Medal
Natal Native Rebellion Medal
1914–15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal (South Africa)
Mercantile Marine War Medal
1939–1945 Star
Atlantic Star
Arctic Star
Air Crew Europe Star
Africa Star
Pacific Star
Burma Star
Italy Star
France and Germany Star
Defence Medal
War Medal
Africa Service Medal
King George V Coronation Medal
King George V Silver Jubilee Medal
King George VI Coronation Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United Kingdom)
Meritorious Service Medal (Cape of Good Hope)
Meritorious Service Medal (Natal)
Meritorious Service Medal (South Africa)
Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Cape of Good Hope)
Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Natal)
Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Medal
Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (South Africa)
Volunteer Officers' Decoration for India and the Colonies
Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies
Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration
Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal
Efficiency Decoration (South Africa)
Efficiency Medal (South Africa)
Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Air Efficiency Award
King's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces
Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal
South African Medal for War Services
Sir Harry Smith's Medal for Gallantry (Unofficial)
Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps Medal (Unofficial)
Kimberley Star (Unofficial)
Cape Copper Company Medal for the Defence of O'okiep (Unofficial)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Flag_of_South_Africa_%281928-1982%29.svg/23px-Flag_of_South_Africa_%281928-1982%29.svg.png)
1952–1994
Honoris Crux Gold
Star of South Africa, Gold
Star of South Africa, Silver
Star of South Africa (1952)
Louw Wepener Decoration
Honoris Crux (1952)
Honoris Crux Silver
Van Riebeeck Decoration
Honoris Crux (1975)
Pro Virtute Decoration
Southern Cross Decoration
Pro Merito Decoration
Van Riebeeck Medal
Louw Wepener Medal
Ad Astra Decoration
Army Cross
Air Force Cross
Navy Cross
Medical Service Cross
Southern Cross Medal (1952)
Pro Merito Medal (1967)
Southern Cross Medal (1975)
Pro Merito Medal (1975)
Danie Theron Medal
Jack Hindon Medal
Military Merit Medal
Korea Medal
Pro Patria Medal
Southern Africa Medal
General Service Medal (South Africa)
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service
Good Service Medal, Gold
John Chard Decoration
De Wet Decoration
Cadet Corps Medal
Good Service Medal, Silver
Union Medal
Permanent Force Good Service Medal
John Chard Medal
Good Service Medal, Bronze
De Wet Medal
Queen's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces
Commandant General's Medal
SADF Champion Shot Medal
National Cadet Bisley Grand Champion Medal
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/Flag_of_Transkei.svg/23px-Flag_of_Transkei.svg.png)
Transkei
Cross for Bravery
Transkei Defence Force Medal
Independence Medal (Transkei)
Military Rule Medal
Faithful Service Medal
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/Flag_of_Bophuthatswana_%281972%E2%80%931994%29.svg/23px-Flag_of_Bophuthatswana_%281972%E2%80%931994%29.svg.png)
Bophuthatswana
Order of the Leopard, Commander
Distinguished Gallantry Cross
Defence Force Merit Decoration
Distinguished Gallantry Medal
Defence Force Merit Medal
Marumo Medal, Class I
Defence Force Commendation Medal
Marumo Medal, Class II
Nkwe Medal
General Service Medal
Independence Medal
Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Gold
Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Silver
Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Bronze
State President's Medal for Shooting
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Flag_of_Venda_%281973%E2%80%931994%29.svg/23px-Flag_of_Venda_%281973%E2%80%931994%29.svg.png)
Venda
Gallantry Cross, Gold
Gallantry Cross, Silver
Distinguished Service Medal, Gold
Distinguished Service Medal, Silver
Venda Defence Force Medal
General Service Medal (Venda)
Independence Medal (Venda)
Long Service Medal, Gold
Long Service Medal, Silver
Long Service Medal, Bronze
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Ciskei
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/Flag_of_the_African_National_Congress.svg/23px-Flag_of_the_African_National_Congress.svg.png)
Umkhonto
we Sizwe
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/Yellow_star_on_green.svg/23px-Yellow_star_on_green.svg.png)
Azanian People's
Liberation Army
![South Africa](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Flag_of_South_Africa.svg/23px-Flag_of_South_Africa.svg.png)
From 1994