- Time Period: World War II
- Institution: 1943
- Country: Great Britain
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.
Find This Campaign Medal
More WW2 British Campaign Medals
During World War II (1939–1945) British campaign medals were awarded to members of the British Armed Forces and civilians for active service in specific military campaigns or operations. These included:
The New Zealand War Service Medal
The New Zealand War Service Medal (NZWSM) was awarded to members of the New Zealand armed forces and Reserves during WW2.
The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal
The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal is a British medal granted to persons of any rank in the Naval, Military or Air Forces of Canada.
The Pacific Star
The Pacific Star is a British military campaign medal instituted by the United Kingdom in 1945 for those who served in the Pacific Campaign.
The Newfoundland Volunteer War Service Medal
The Newfoundland Volunteer War Service Medal was created to honor those from Newfoundland & Labrador who served in British Forces.
The Air Crew Europe Star
The Air Crew Europe Star is a military campaign medal awarded to subjects of the British Commonwealth for service in the Second World War.
The Italy Star
The Italy Star is a military campaign medal, instituted by the United Kingdom in May 1945 for service in the Italian Campaign 1943 to 1945.
The Defence Medal (United Kingdom)
The Defence Medal is a campaign medal instituted in 1945 awarded to subjects of the British Commonwealth for service during WW2.
The Arctic Star
The Arctic Star is a military campaign medal which was instituted for service on the Arctic Convoys north of the Arctic Circle in WW2.
