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HONOURS AND AWARDS

The Rhodesian Forces

THE HISTORY OF RHODESIAN HONOURS AND AWARDS
1890-1980
by JOHN VOLLAIRE
(For the MEDALS, click here.)

With the exception of the awards of the VICTORIA CROSS, all extracts in this series have been taken at random from Volumes 1 to 5 of The History of Rhodesian Honours and Awards 1890-1980.

During the Rebellion of 1896 three Victoria Crosses were awarded - all to Rhodesians. Two of these are of particular interest. One being the first awarded on Rhodesian soil and the first to a Rhodesian. The second was a posthumous award Gazetted nearly eleven years after the event.

For the purpose of this article the extracts are, in most cases, in edited form - for reasons of space - and details the Awards earned by Rhodesians, and other Nationals who fought by their side, throughout the many conflicts in which they took part. Commencing with the Matabele War of 1893 and progressing through the South African War of 1899-1902, the two World Wars, Malaya etc, to the 'Final Conflict' of the Bush War which saw the demise of Rhodesia in 1980.

The cases are many and varied and range throughout the whole spectrum of awards. From the Civil Lists and those who received the highest accolade for chivalry and bravery to those who only received the General Service Medal and represented a small cog in a large machine but, without whom, that machine would not have functioned as efficiently as it did.

On the 11th November 1965, the Rhodesian Government unilaterally declared the country's independence from Great Britain and, shortly afterwards, instituted a new list of Honours and Awards. It is a sad fact that only nine of these awards bear the name Rhodesia. Unfortunately, the Rhodesia General Service Medal - of which more than twenty thousand were awarded - is not one of them. I have received literally hundreds of letters from individuals all over the world who only received this medal. However, it is their record and background that has proved to be more fascinating than one might imagine, which only goes to bear out my contention that there is far more hidden behind the RGSM than appears on the surface. Details which, for reasons of space, would not normally be included in a Unit History.

As in all wars, there have been numerous incidents of self sacrifice and acts of gallantry which have gone unnoticed and unrecorded. In this respect the Rhodesian Bush War was no exception. Rhodesia was not overly generous with her awards and there were many who, perhaps in other circumstances, would have received recognition. U Gen G P Walls, in his forward to Dr Paul Moorcroft's book, 'CONTACT 2', paid this tribute, in part, "...nothing can detract from the story of the men and women who fought the gallant fight, in uniform or out of it, paid or unpaid, 'gonged' or taken for granted...".

THE FIRST VICTORIA CROSS

As we have seen in the previous chapters the Matabele were a force to be reckoned with and although they had outwardly submitted, with fairly good grace after the war of 1893, the major part of their Impis had not been tested in the field. Beneath this outward good grace was a feeling of humiliation and frustration.

On the 29th December 1895, Dr Jameson, had, as a result of his abortive 'raid' into South Africa from Pitsani with its disastrous consequences, virtually stripped the white population in Rhodesia of its Police Force and principle weaponry, thus leaving the Pioneers in a precarious position in the possible event of trouble.

When news of this disaster filtered through, the smouldering Matabele were deluded into a belief that their time had come and they rose, with the usual terrible accompaniment of murder and rapine.

The first incident took place on the night of Friday 20th March, 1896, with the murder of a native policeman. This was followed on the 23rd by the slaughter of the Cunningham family, three generations of which fell to the stabbing assegais and battle-axes of the Matabele.
News of the rebellion quickly reached Bulawayo and a hasty laager of wagons was drawn up in the town square.

Captain Selous brought his wife in with him from Essexvale and immediately set about raising a mounted force of thirty-six men, all that could be armed and horsed. This formed the nucleus of what was to be known as H Troop, Bulawayo Field Force.

According to Selous, there were only five hundred and eighty rifles belonging to the Government in the whole of Rhodesia when the rebellion commenced, with a few machine guns at Bulawayo; the horse supply was virtually non-existent due to the rinderpest, the food supply was low and they were faced with more than ten thousand Matabele, many of whom were armed with Martinis and muzzle-loaders.

Several volunteer troops were rapidly raised, or united on the spur of the moment and these consisted of the Grey's Scouts, Gifford's Horse and the Rhodesia Horse.

There were more than six hundred women and children in Bulawayo alone, and prompt action was a matter of top priority for their protection and the relief of many more scattered about the land in lonely farms and isolated stations.

To add to the authority's problems, the native police deserted to the enemy with their Winchester repeaters. The telegraph wires had also been cut, thus effectively isolating them from the rest of the country.

In the first few weeks of the up-rising many lonely prospectors were caught unawares and unspeakably put to death and whole families were surprised, raped, tortured and butchered.
Many of them however, finding themselves surrounded and outnumbered, fought to the last taking many of the enemy with them. Standing out in bold relief against the background of slaughter are many incidents of rare heroism and bravery. The West brothers for instance, both former members of the Bechuanaland Border Police, in their splendid, but hopeless, defence in their store at far-off Thabas Amamba, fought with true British grit and kept the enemy at bay for ten long hours falling at last surrounded by a pile of dead Matabele. Or the story of the German family on the Shangani where the Matabele having killed the old farmer and his wife, dragged the bodies out of the house and after leaving them before the door took up an ambush position in a nearby kopje to await the return of the rest of the family. The youngest son, a lad of sixteen, who was staying with his parents whilst his older brother rode transport, was out shooting at the time. Suspecting nothing, as news of the rising had not yet reached this remote area, he noticed on his return that the house looked deserted. On closer inspection he was horrified to find the dead bodies of his parents in front of the house.

Sighting the movement of the Matabele, he took up a defensive position on a granite ledge and calmly awaited their coming. A band of thirty warriors rushed him. With cool precision he opened fire accounting for fourteen of the enemy before the remainder took to flight. The danger over, the young lad proceeded to where his dead parents lay and was preparing to bury them when a Matabele crept up from behind and killed him with a battle-axe. This was taken from an eye-witness account and is given in detail in Frank W Sykes' book, 'With Plumer in Matabeleland'.
This then, was the scenario all over Matabeleland.

TROOPER HERBERT STEPHEN HENDERSON, VC

On Saturday 27th March 1896, news was received in Bulawayo that seven white men were surrounded by the Matabele at Inyati, a post some 15 miles (24km) north-east of the Queen's Mine and 50 miles (80km) north of Bulawayo. A small party of eleven men under Captain Pittendrigh of the Africander Corps rode out of Bulawayo just before midnight to rescue the trapped men, first stopping at Jenkin's Store and then on to relieve Mr Graham, the Native Commissioner in Inyati.

Finding all was quiet at Jenkin's Store, the party, now raised to nineteen, pushed on through the bush to relieve Mr Graham. They were riding through the Elibaini Hills when they were attacked by a strong detachment of Matabele armed with assegais and rifles. Two men were wounded before the patrol managed to throw off the attackers and made for Campbell's Store across the Bembesi, where they learned that Mr Graham, Sub-Inspector Hanley and four miners had been massacred after holding out against overwhelming odds.

As the area was swarming with warriors, mainly from the crack Ingubo Regiment, they decided to fortify the store. They had about two thousand rounds of ammunition and felt that they could withstand a night attack. Two men, Fincham and Mostert, were sent back to Bulawayo by another route for reinforcements, and got away safely.

That night, Sunday 28th March, a second stronger patrol, under the command of Captain MacFarlane, left Bulawayo to effect a rescue. This consisted of thirty horsemen; fifteen from the Africander Corps under Commandant van Rensburg and Captain van Niekerk and the remainder from the Rhodesia Horse volunteers.

Riding through the night with only a brief halt at Queen's Reef Mine, they pushed on to Campbell's Store. Heading the patrol as scouts and advance guards, at a distance of some 300 yards (270m), were Troopers Celliers and Henderson.

Trooper Henderson, a 26 year old mine engineer, had volunteered earlier to ride from Queen's Reef Mine to Bulawayo for help. For protection on this perilous ride he had been given a revolver and one cartridge, all that was available.

In the early hours of the morning of Monday the 29th, the patrol was attacked in dense bush about 5 miles (8km) from Campbell's Store. The Matabele opened fire at close range and although the darkness and thick bush favoured the Matabele the accurate return fire from the patrol enabled them to fight their way through the ambush. A running fire which lasted for half an hour.

Finally emerging from the bush at dawn, the patrol rode across the open veld and dashed up the river bank to the store to the relieved cheers of the beseiged men.

It was only then that it was realised that Troopers Celliers and Henderson were missing.
Celliers and Henderson had been well ahead of the main body when the Matabele sprang the ambush. Celliers was shot through the knee and his horse hit in five places. Subjected to heavy fire and effectively cut off from the main party the two men swung their horses off the track and headed into the dense bush. After a wild gallop lasting a few minutes they reined in their horses. Sporadic firing could still be heard above the shouting of the Matabele.

Celliers' horse finally collapsed from its wounds. Henderson dismounted, lifted the injured Celliers onto his own horse and taking the reins led it away from the noise of battle. Celliers, in great pain, and suffering from loss of blood appealed to Henderson to leave him. It would be suicidal, he reasoned, to try to walk to Bulawayo. Rather that one should die than both. Henderson refused to listen. Ahead lay 35 miles (56km) of rough country thick with marauding bands of fierce Matabele.

As dawn was breaking, Henderson led the tired horse carrying the swaying Celliers into thick bush where he treated the injured man's wound as best he could. They had no food with them but managed to catch some sleep although they were unpleasantly close to some Matabele encampments.

For two days and two nights Henderson trudged through the bush leading the horse carrying his injured companion. Both were suffering from hunger and Celliers was in intense agony. On Tuesday the 30th (Henderson's birthday), they hid in the hills. Never, he said later, did he want to spend another birthday like that again. That night, Henderson had to exercise extreme caution as he weaved his way through the Matabele impis which encircled Bulawayo.

On Wednesday morning a bone-weary Henderson walked into Bulawayo with his faithful horse and injured companion.

Celliers had his leg amputated and he died in hospital on the 16th May 1896.

At a general parade called by Earl Grey on the 3rd June, he referred, in his address, to Henderson's gallant conduct and brave feat.

Captain MacFarlane, the leader of the patrol, wrote a letter to the Administrator of the British South Africa Company, recommending Henderson for the award of the Victoria Cross. As all communication with Salisbury had been cut, the letter was forwarded to Cape Town and from there to London.

The award of the Victoria Cross (the first won on Rhodesian soil) to Henderson was gazetted on the 7th May 1897. The citation was drawn from the letter written by Captain MacFarlane. Trooper Henderson was decorated by Lord Milner at the opening of the Bulawayo Railway on the 4th November 1897.

Trooper Herbert Stephen HENDERSON was born at Hillhead, Glasgow, on the 30th March 1870. The fourth son of William Henderson, Bishop Street Engineering Works, Glasgow and grandson of James Henderson, shipbuilder, Glasgow. Educated at Kelvinside Academy, Hillhead, Glasgow and served his apprenticeship with J and J Thomson Engineers, Glasgow. He then moved to Belfast where he worked for Harland and Wolff. In 1892 he left for the Rand in South Africa where he was connected professionally with the Langlaagte, Primrose, Croesus and George and May Gold Mines. Two years later he moved to Rhodesia where he became the engineer of the Queen's Mine. When the Matabele rebellion broke out he joined the Bulawayo Field Force, initially as a scout, and served as a gunner in the Artillery Troop.

Henderson remained in the gold-mining industry for some years and was, at one stage, the timber contractor to the Globe and Phoenix goldmine. He later prospected for the German Administration in South West Africa.

During the First World War, Henderson was not permitted to leave Rhodesia on active service, as gold-mining was considered an essential service. In 1924 he married Helen Joan Davidson. They had two sons, Alan Stephen Accra in 1926 and Ian Montrose in 1927.

For the duration of the Second World War, Henderson had all profits from the Prince Olaf Mine given to the War Fund.

He died of a duodenal ulcer on the 10th August 1942 and was buried in the Bulawayo cemetery. His grave number is 887. The grave is otherwise unmarked, apart from the number.

CITATION

London Gazette, May 7th 1897: "H S Henderson, Bulawayo Field Force. On the morning of the 30th March 1896 just before daylight Captain MacFarlane's party was surprised by the natives. Troopers Celliers and Henderson, who formed part of the advance guard, were cut off from the main body and Celliers was shot through the knee. His horse was badly wounded, and eventually died. Henderson then placed Celliers on his own horse and made the best of his way to Bulawayo. The country between Campbell's Store, where they were cut off, and Bulawayo (a distance of about 35 miles) was full of natives fully armed and they had, therefore, to proceed principally by night, hiding in the bush in the daytime. Celliers, who was weak from loss of blood and in great agony, asked Henderson to leave him, but he would not, and brought him in, after passing two days and one night in the veld without food."

ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MEDALS

Victoria Cross (Bulawayo Field Force), BSA Company Medal, 1896, for Rhodesia (Artillery Troop, Bulawayo Field Force).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

PRINCIPLE RESEARCHERS: Elizabeth and Graham Colhurst-Freymuth.
Principle works consulted and from which information has been extracted:
CREAGH, Sir O'Moore, VC, GCB, GCSI and E M Humphris (eds). "The Victoria Cross 1856-1920" (originally published 1920 as Vol 1 of "The VC and the DSO"), J B Hayward & Son reprint (Polstead, Suffolk, 1985).

GALE, WD, "One Man's Vision", Rhodesiana Reprint Library - Silver Series, Vol 12 (Books of Rhodesia, Bulawayo 1976)
.
PARRY, DH, "The VC, its Heroes and Their Valour", (Cassell & Company Ltd, London).
REGISTER, "The Register of the Victoria Cross", This England Books (Chettenham, Glos, 1981).

SYKES, Frank W, "With Plumer in Matabeleland", Rhodesiana Reprint Library, Vol 21, (Books of Rhodesia, Bulawayo, 1972).

UYS, Ian S, "For Valour: The Story of Southern Africa's VC Heroes". Ian S Uys, (Johannesburg, 1973).

RECORDS CONSULTED:

Colonial Office Papers; Folios 7 to 554B and 560.
War Office Papers: Folios 32/8546.
Treasury to War Office Papers: T.1/9165A/11007.
British South Africa Company to Colonial Office Papers.
British South Africa Company to War Office Papers.
High Commissioner for South Africa to Colonial Office Papers.
Major General Sir F Carrington to Colonial Office: 652/98 (from Gibraltar).

Rhodesian Honours and Awards 1965 - 1980

Shortly after the Rhodesian Government declared Unilateral Independence from England in 1965 the new government instituted its own list of of Honours and Awards, depicted here. The first picture is of those of Higher Order, and then all are individually described.
Photo of a full set of miniatures

1
The Grand Cross of Valour

The Grand Cross of Valour (G.C.V)

For conspicuous valour by members of the Security Forces in combat. This is Rhodesia's highest award for gallantry and as such heads the order of presidence. Recipients have the right to wear the ribbon of the award in their buttonhole. Shape: Maltese Cross; metal: 9ct gold: diameter: 38mm;
Obverse: white enamel roundel, full face golden lion, gold surround, black "For Valour Rhodesia";
Reverse: plain; name position: reverse. Miniature gold cross on ribbon ; clasp: gold. Second cross on ribbon.

Awarded to
Capt Christophel Ferdinand Schulenburg SCR (Recce Troop, Selous Scouts) 18th April 1978
Maj G.A. Wilson (C Sqn, the Rhodesian SAS) 30th June 1980

2
Conspicuous Gallantry Decoration

Conspicuous Gallantry Decoration(C.G.D.)

For acts of the highest gallantry and brave conduct of an outstanding order in a non-combatant capacity. This award may be made to civilians and members of the Security Forces and as the second highest award for gallantry will rank next to the Grand Cross of Valour in the order of precedence.

3
Grand Commander of the Legion of Merit

Grand Commander of the Legion of Merit (G.C.L.M.)

For outstanding service to Rhodesia. On formal occasions a sash, badge and gold star will be worn.

Grand Commander of the Legion of Merit (G.C.L.M.) (Military Division)

4
Grand Officer of the Legion of Merit

Grand Officer of the Legion of Merit (G.L.M.)

For outstanding service to Rhodesia. A silver star and neck badge to be worn on formal occasions.

5
Grand Officer of the Legion of Merit

Grand Officer of the Legion of Merit (G.L.M.) (Military Division)

For outstanding service to Rhodesia. A silver star and neck badge to be worn on formal occasions.

6
Independence Decoration

Independence Decoration (I.D.)

For persons who played a notable and significant part before or at the time of, or immediately succeeding the Declaration of Independence.

7
Independence Commemorative Decoration

Independence Commemorative Decoration (L.C.D.)

For persons who have rendered valuable service to Rhodesia up to the 2nd March, 1970. This award and that of the Independence Decoration will be worn on the breast.

8
Commander of the Legion of Merit

Commander of the Legion of Merit (C.L.M.)

For distinguished service to Rhodesia. A neck-badge will be worn on formal occasions

9
Commander of the Legion of Merit

Commander of the Legion of Merit (C.L.M.) (Military Div.)

For distinguished service to Rhodesia. A neck-badge will be worn on formal occasions

10
Police Cross for Conspicuous Gallantry

Police Cross for Conspicuous Gallantry (P.C.G.)

For conspicuous gallantry.

11
Silver Cross of Rhodesia

Silver Cross of Rhodesia (S.C.R.)

For conspicuous gallantry.

12
Prison Cross for Gallantry

Prison Cross for Gallantry (R.P.C.)

For conspicuous gallantry.

13
Officer of the Legion of Merit

Officer of the Legion of Merit (O.L.M.)

For distinguished service to Rhodesia. This award will be worn on the breast.

14
Officer of the Legion of Merit

Officer of the Legion of Merit
(O.L.M.) (Military Division)

For distinguished service to Rhodesia. This award will be worn on the breast.

15
Member of the Legion of Merit

Member of the Legion of Merit (M.L.M.)

For distinguished service to Rhodesia. This award will also be worn on the breast.

16
Member of the Legion of Merit

Member of the Legion of Merit (M.L.M.) (Military Division)

For distinguished service to Rhodesia. This award will also be worn on the breast.

17
Police Decoration for Gallantry

Police Decoration for Gallantry (P.D.G.)

For gallantry

18
Bronze Cross of Rhodesia

Bronze Cross of Rhodesia(B.C.R.) (Army)

For gallantry

19
Bronze Cross of Rhodesia

Bronze Cross of Rhodesia(B.C.R.) (Air Force)

For gallantry

20
Police Cross for Distinguished Service

Police Cross for Distinguished Service (P.C.D.)

For distinguished service.

21
Prison Cross for Distinguished Service

Prison Cross for Distinguished Service (P.S.C.)

For distinguished service.

22
Meritorious Conduct Medal

Meritorious Conduct Medal (M.C.M.)

For brave and gallant conduct over and above the call of duty in a non-combatant capacity. The award may be made to both civilians and members of the Security Forces.

23
Prison Medal for Gallantry

Prison Medal for Gallantry (R.P.M.)

For gallantry.

24
Medal for Meritorious Service

Medal for Meritorious Service (M.S.M.)

For resource and devotion to duty or exemplary voluntary service to the community. Two divisions: (a) civil division and (b) Security Forces division. Used only for Territorial Force or Reserves

25
Police Medal for Meritorious Service

Police Medal for Meritorious Service (P.M.M.)

For meritorious service.

26
Defence Forces' Medal for Meritorious Service

Defence Forces' Medal for Meritorious Service (D.M.M.)

For meritorious service.

27
Prison Medal for Meritorious Service

Prison Medal for Meritorious Service (P.M.S.)

For meritorious service.

28
President's Medals for Chiefs

President's Medals for Chiefs

For Chiefs who have rendered conspicuous service in the interests of their people.

29
President's Medal for Headmen

President's Medal for Headmen

For Headmen who have rendered conspicuous service to their communities over and above the call of duty.

30
General Service Medal

General Service Medal

For service on operations undertaken for the purposes of combating terrorist or enemy incursions into Rhodesia.

DSM
The Rhodesian District Service Medal (DSM)

Only awarded to black District Assistants and District Security Assistants. No white member of the Rhodesian Security Forces should have been awarded one unless by complete accident.

The criteria for being awarded this medal was exactly the same as for the Rhodesian General Service Medal (RGSM) i.e.: For service on operations undertaken for the purposes of combating terrorist or enemy incursions into Rhodesia.
See note 5 below

31
Prison Service Medal

Prison Service Medal

For the part played in maintaining law and order.

32
Police Long Service Medal

Police Long Service Medal

For long and exemplary service.

33
Exemplary Service Medal

Exemplary Service Medal

For long and exemplary service.

34
Prison Long Service Medal

Prison Long Service Medal

For long and exemplary service.

35
Police Reserve Long Service Medal

Police Reserve Long Service Medal

For long and exemplary service.

36
Medal for Territorial or Reserve Service

Medal for Territorial or Reserve Service

The basic qualification for this medal will be nine years' voluntary service in the "A" Reserve, or fifteen years' service in the field reserve.
For long service in the Territorial, Volunteer and Reserve Forces. The basic qualification for this medal is twelve years' service, with a bar for a further six years' service. Service in a reserve unit other than the Volunteer Reserve of the Air Force will count as half qualifying service

37
Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

For long service in a Fire Brigade.

38
Rhodesia Badge of Honour

Rhodesia Badge of Honour

For long service and devotion to duty in Government, Municipal or private service.

39
President's Medal for Shooting

President's Medal for Shooting

To be awarded to the champion shot of the Security Forces.

40 Military Forces' Commendation Military Forces' Commendation
(As shown on 30).

A silver or bronze pick emblem to denote an act of bravery, distinguished service, or continuous devotion to duty in the operational or non-operational sphere. This emblem will either be displayed on the ribbon of the appropriate General Service or Campaign Medal or will be sewn on the tunic immediately following other awards. Otherwise it will be displayed in a central position on the left breast where a ribbon would be worn.
41 Commissioner's Special Commendation and Commissioner's Commendation (Police)

Commissioner's Special Commendation and Commissioner's Commendation (Police)
Commissioner's Special Commendation and Commissioner's Commendation (Police)

Will be marked respectively by a silver or bronze truncheon emblem to denote acts above the call of duty under operational or non-operational conditions. Will be worn on the top of the left pocket flap below medal ribbons.
42 Director's Commendation (Prisons). Director's Commendation (Prisons).
(As shown on 31).

To be marked by a bronze key emblem worn in the manner of the Military Forces Commendation.
DSM

The Intaf Commendation emblem (device) on DSM ribbon.

This was Intaf’s equivalent of the Military Forces Commendation (pick) and BSAP’s Commissioner’s Special Commendation (baton) and British Mentioned in Dispatches (MID). It depicts an ancient war horn known as an "oliphant". The same emblem is on the badge Intaf wore on their headgear. White members of Intaf who were awarded the commendation, wore it on their Rhodesian General Service Medal ribbon.

NOTES:

1. The official order of precedence for all honours and awards shall be as follows:

(i) Rhodesian orders, decorations and medals.
(ii) Foreign orders, decorations and medals in this order and by date of their award.

2. Bars may be awarded where appropriate and will be attached to the ribbon when the medal is worn. When ribbons only are worn a bar will be indicated by a small silver rosette attached to the centre of the ribbon or by a miniature replica of the award where applicable.

3. The following coloured rosettes will be worn in the centre of the under mentioned ribbons in order to distinguish thern from the other ribbons of the same pattern:

I.D. — Green to distinguish this award from the I.C.D. On ribbon only.
G.C.L.M. Green to distinguish this award from other classes of the Legion of Merit. On ribbon only.
C.L.M. (Military) Red for combat distinction.
O.L.M. (Military) Silver for combat distinction.
M.L.M. (Military) - Bronze for combat distinction.
(For C.L.M., O.L.M. and M.L.M these will be worm on full size and miniature medals and ribbon bar.)

4. Where the initial letters of awards are shown in this order of precedence, they may be used after the name of the recipient.

Note:
Medals 4,5,8 and 9 in the illustrations are worn as breast medals in miniature, but as a neck badge when full size medals are worn.

5. The Rhodesian District Service Medal (DSM)
Dudley Wall notes:
“For some unknown reason the Government felt that African members of Intaf in uniform were not eligible for the RGSM (whereas whites were) and therefore brought out the DSM specifically. Ironically many African members of Intaf were ex Rhodesian African Rifles and held the RGSM anyway. I had several ex RAR chaps (and one ex Kings African Rifles medic.) in my ARU Troop and they were awarded both the RGSM and the DSM”
Lewis Walter notes:
“Our DAs and DSAs were in closer and more intimate contact with the terrs than most of the other forces, as well as living full time in operational areas. I cannot understand what contorted thinking from our leaders deprived them of the right to receive the RGSM - something which I know caused them deep hurt”

ORDER OF PRECEDENCE

1.

Grand Cross of Valour

(G.C.V.)

2.

Conspicuous Gallantry Decoration

(C.G.D.)

3.

Grand Commander of the Legion of Merit

(G.C.L.M.)

4.

Grand Officer of the Legion of Merit

(G.L.M.)

5.

Independence Decoration

(I.D.)

6.

Independence Commorative Decoration

(I.C.D.)

7.

Commander of the Legion of Merit

(C.L.M.)

8.

Police Cross for Conspicuous Gallantry,
Silver Cross of Rhodesia,
Prison Cross for Gallantry,
which shall rank equally.


(P.C.G.)
(S.C.R.)
(R.P.C.)


9.

Officer of the Legion of Merit

(O.L.M.)

10.

Member of the Legion of Merit

(M.L.M.)

11.

Police Decoration for Gallantry,
Bronze Cross of Rhodesia,
which shall rank equally.


(P.D.G.)
(B.C.R.)


12.

Police Cross for Distinguished Service,
Prison Cross for Distinguished Service,
and which shall rank equally.


(P.C.D.)
(P.S.C.)


13.

Meritorious Conduct Medal

(M.C.M.)

14.

Prison Medal for Gallantry

(R.P.M.)

15.

Meritorious Service Medal,
Police Medal for Meritorious Service,
Defence Forces Medal for Meritorious Service,
Prison Medal for Meritorious Service,
which shall rank equally.


(M.S.M.)
(P.M.M.)
(D.M.M.)
(P.M.S.)


16.

President's Medal for Chiefs.

17.

President's Medal for Headmen.

18.

General Service Medal

19.

Prison Service Medal

20.

Police Long Service Medal,
Exemplary Service Medal,
Prison Long Service Medal,
and which shall rank equally.

21.

Police Reserve Long Service Medal,
Medal for Territorial or Reserve Service,
Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal,
and which shall rank equally.

22.

Rhodesia Badge of Honour.

23.

President's Medal for Shooting.


Rhodesian Military Medals RIBBON CHART Rhodesian Medals

The History of Rhodesia Honours and Awards

Rhodesian Honours and Awards 1965 - 1980 (The Medals)

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