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.Rhodesia Medal Roll, p7
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:
+ Caption Name Postnominal CivilianRibbon Military / PoliceRibbon 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 - - 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 - - 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, three months after Zimbabwe's independence. However, Rhodesian long-service decorations continued to be given to police officers and service personnel until June 1982.Rhodesia Medal Roll, p8
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.SAS Rhodesia, p283
See also Orders, decorations, and medals of Zimbabwe
Notes
References
Pittaway, J, and Fourie, C., 2003. SAS Rhodesia, Dandy Agencies, South Africa. Saffery, D., 2006. The Rhodesia Medal Roll, Jeppestown Press, United Kingdom. Rhodesian Militaria: Medals - Detailed photos & descriptions of genuine Rhodesian military medals.