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The Africa Service Medal

British Medals WW2: The Africa Service Medal

Average Price:

£20 to £70
($26 to $91)

(The cost varies based on the medal’s historical significance, the recipient’s background, and the condition of the 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 Africa Service Medal was instituted by King George VI as South African head of state, and was awarded in addition to the British campaign stars and campaign medals (several Commonwealth nations established their own service medals, all distinctive in design, purpose and criteria.)

To qualify for the medal, the person must have volunteered for war service outside South Africa and must have served, either at home or abroad, between 6 September 1939 and 2 September 1945 inclusive, continuously for thirty days or part-time for at least eighteen hours in non continuous training.

The Africa Service Medal Design

The medal was struck in silver and designed by Field Marshal Jan Smuts. It measures 36 millimeters in diameter and 3 millimeters thick at the raised rim.

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.

The reverse shows a prancing springbok against a landscape background, with the recipient’s name, rank, unit, and number impressed on the edge.

The ribbon measures 32 millimeters and is orange-red, the colors of the shoulder flash worn by South African volunteers, with 3½ mm wide green and yellow bands.

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