The Rhodesian honours system was established at the time that Rhodesia 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.[1]
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (May 2024) |
Prior to 2 March 1970, Rhodesians were conferred awards in the British honours system.
List of honours
The list of Rhodesian honours and decorations, in order of precedence, is as follows:
| Name | Postnominal | Civilian Ribbon | Military / Police Ribbon | Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Cross of Valour | GCV | - |  | ALL |
| Conspicuous Gallantry Decoration | CGD | - |  | Civilian |
| Grand Commander of the Legion of Merit | GCLM |  | None Awarded | Both |
| Grand Officer of the Legion of Merit | GLM | |  | Both |
| Independence Decoration | ID |  | - | Civilian |
| Independence Commemorative Decoration | ICD |  | - | Civilian |
| Commander of the Legion of Merit | CLM | | | Both |
| Police Cross for Conspicuous Gallantry | PCG | - |  | Police |
| Silver Cross of Rhodesia | SCR | - |  | Military |
| Prison Cross for Gallantry | RPC | - |  | Military |
| Officer of the Legion of Merit | OLM | | | Both |
| Member of the Legion of Merit | MLM | | | Both |
| Police Decoration for Gallantry | PDG | - |  | Police |
| Bronze Cross of Rhodesia (Army) | BCR | - |  | Military |
| Bronze Cross of Rhodesia (Airforce) | BCR | - |  | Military |
| Bronze Cross of Rhodesia (Guards) | BCR | - |  | Military |
| Police Cross for Distinguished Service | PCD | - |  | Police |
| Defence Cross for Distinguished Service | DCD | - |  | Military |
| Rhodesia Prison Cross for Distinguished Service | PSC | - |  | Prison |
| Meritorious Conduct Medal | MCM | - |  | Military |
| Rhodesia Prison Medal for Gallantry | RPM | - |  | Prison |
| Medal for Meritorious Service | MSM |  |  | Both |
| Police Medal for Meritorious Service | PMM | - |  | Police |
| Defence Forces' Medal for Meritorious Service | DMM | - |  | Military |
| Rhodesia Prison Medal for Meritorious Service | PMS | - |  | Prison |
| President's Medal for Chiefs[2] | - |  | - | Chiefs |
| President's Medal for Headmen | - | | - | Chiefs |
| Military Forces' Commendation | - | - |  | Military |
| Director’s Commendation (Prisons) | - | - | | Prison |
| Police Long Service Medal (Rhodesia) | - | - | | Police |
| Exemplary Service Medal | ESM | - |  | ALL |
| Prison Long Service Medal (Rhodesia) | - | - | | Prison |
| Police Reserve Long Service Medal (Rhodesia) | - | - | | |
| Medal for Territorial or Reserve Service | - | - |  | Military |
| Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Rhodesia) | - | - |  | Fire Brigade |
| Rhodesia Badge of Honour | - |  | | ALL |
| President’s Medal for Shooting | Pres MS | - |  | ALL |
| General Service Medal | - | - |  | Police |
| General Service Medal | - | - | | Military |
| Prison General Service Medal | - | - |  | Prison |
| Rhodesian District Service Medal | - |  [a] | - | INTAF |
Details and recipients
Around 12,000 awards were given out between 1970 and 1981. The last Rhodesian gallantry awards were awarded in June 1980,[1] three months after Zimbabwe's independence. However, Rhodesian long-service decorations continued to be given to police officers and service personnel until June 1982.[3]
The most highly decorated soldier in the Rhodesian Army was Major Grahame Wilson, second-in-command of the Rhodesian SAS, who was awarded the Grand Cross of Valour, Silver Cross of Rhodesia and Bronze Cross of Rhodesia.[4]
See also
Notes
- Department of Internal Affairs (INTAF)
References
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