- Time Period: World War II
- Institution: 1946
- Country: Great Britain
The Southern Rhodesia Service Medal 1939-1945 is a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth awarded to members of the Southern Rhodesia Defence Forces who had at least six months full or part-time service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945 and were not eligible for any other British World War II campaign medal.
The Southern Rhodesia Service Medal was authorized in 1948 and distributed from 1949. A total of 3,908 medals were awarded, mainly to those who had served part-time:
- Southern Rhodesia Territorial Force: 3,140
- British South Africa Police Reservists: 497
- Those who served with both bodies: 271
There are no clasps for this medal.
The Southern Rhodesia Service Medal Design
The medal is circular, struck in cupro-nickel and measures 36 millimeters (1.4 in) in diameter.
The obverse shows the crowned effigy of King George VI facing left, with the legend “GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX ET INDIAE IMP.” (George VI by the grace of God King of Great Britain and Emperor of India).
The reverse was designed by Humphrey Paget and shows the coat of arms of Southern Rhodesia, surrounded by the words “+ FOR SERVICE IN SOUTHERN RHODESIA + 1939-1945”.
The ribbon measures 31.7 millimeters (1.25 in) wide and is beetle green with red and black stripes at each edge, the colors of the Rhodesia Regiment.
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 Africa Star
The Africa Star is a military campaign medal awarded to those who served in the Second World War specifically in North Africa.
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 Australian Service Medal 1939-1945
The Australia Service Medal 1939–1945 is a military medal (Great Britain, Australia) that recognizes service in Australia’s armed forces, Mercantile Marine, and Volunteer Defence Corps during World War II.
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 India Service Medal
The India Service Medal – 1939-1945 is a Commonwealth campaign medal awarded to Indian Forces for three years service in India in WW2.
The France and Germany Star
The France and Germany Star is a military campaign medal awarded to subjects of the British Commonwealth who served 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.
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.
