Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal
Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal | |
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Type | Commemorative medal |
Awarded for | Commemoration of the opening of the first Union Parliament |
Country | ![]() |
Presented by | the Monarch of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India |
Eligibility | Military and civil leaders |
Established | 1910 |
First awarded | 1910 |
Last awarded | 1911 |
Total | 580 |
![]() Ribbon Bar | |
South African order of wear | |
Next (higher) | ![]() |
Next (lower) | ![]() |
The Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal is a military and civil commemorative medal which was awarded to commemorate the opening of the first Union Parliament by the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn in 1910. It may be considered as the first of many independence medals which were instituted throughout the Commonwealth during the 20th century.[1][2][3]
Institution
The Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal was instituted by King George V in terms of Royal Warrant of 3 October 1910, published in Government Gazette no. 59 dated 29 November 1910. The medal was struck to commemorate the opening of the first Parliament of the Union of South Africa by the Duke of Connaught and it was awarded to military and civilian leaders who took part in the ceremonies to establish the Union of South Africa from the unification of the former Colonies of the Cape of Good Hope, Natal, Transvaal and the Orange River Colony.[2][4]
Award criteria
The medal was awarded to members of the military and naval forces as well as certain civilian leaders who took a prominent part in the proceedings, and only on the recommendation of the Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies. A roll was to be kept and was to be closed six months after the date of the warrant, after which no award could be made except with Royal Approval in very special circumstances.[2][3]
Order of wear
In the order of wear prescribed by the British Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, the Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal takes precedence after the Northern Ireland Prison Service Medal and before the Indian Independence Medal.[5]
South Africa
With effect from 6 April 1952, when a new South African set of decorations and medals was instituted to replace the British awards used to date, the older British decorations and medals which were applicable to South Africa continued to be worn in the same order of precedence but, with the exception of the Victoria Cross, took precedence after all South African decorations and medals awarded to South Africans on or after that date. Of the official British medals which were applicable to South Africans, the Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal takes precedence as shown.[5][6][7]
- Preceded by the Air Efficiency Award.
- Succeeded by the South African Medal for War Services.
Description
The medal, which was awarded unnamed, was struck in silver and is 36 millimetres in diameter with a raised rim.[1][2][3]
- Obverse
The obverse bears the effigy of King George V, facing left and surrounded by the legend: "GEORGIVS V BRITT:OMN:REX ET IND:IMP:". The medal is attached with a swiveling claw suspension affixed to the medal by means of a pin through the upper edge of the medal. The suspender is fitted with a large ring.[1][2][3]
- Reverse
The reverse depicts the god Mercury, as the god of commerce and prosperity, forging links of a chain on an anvil, with four links each bearing the name of a Province of the Union of South Africa, "CAPE OF GOOD HOPE", "NATAL", "TRANSVAAL" and "ORANGE RIVER". The year "1910" underneath is entwined by an olive branch. Around the circumference and encircling the image is the inscription "TO COMMEMORATE THE UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA".[2][3][8]
- Ribbon
The ribbon is 38 millimetres wide, with two 10 millimetres wide orange bands separated by an 18 millimetres wide dark blue band.[3][8]
Recipients
The Roll shows that altogether 580 medals were awarded. Of these, 21 went to members of the Royal Navy, 52 to the British Army, 41 to South African forces, 465 to civilians of which 31 were women, and one to a member of foreign services.[2][3]
References
- ^ a b c McCreery, Christopher (19 May 2012). Commemorative medals of the Queen's reign in Canada, 1952-2012. Toronto: Dundurn Press. pp. 31, 40, 60. ISBN 9781459707566.
- ^ a b c d e f g Monick, S (1990). South African Civil Awards. South African National Museum of Military History. pp. 75–76.
- ^ a b c d e f g South African Medal Website - Civil - Union of South Africa (Accessed 1 May 2015)
- ^ The Medal Collector. New York: Dodd Mead and Company. 1921. p. 249.
- ^ a b "No. 56878". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 March 2003. p. 3353.
- ^ 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 Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005, OCLC 72827981
- ^ a b "Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal". Royal Museums Greenwich. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
- v
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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)
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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
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cc/Flag_of_Ciskei.svg/23px-Flag_of_Ciskei.svg.png)
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