Rhodesia Medal
| Rhodesia Medal | |
|---|---|
  Obverse and reverse of medal | |
| Type | Campaign Medal |
| Awarded for | 14 days of service inRhodesiabetween 1 December 1979 and 20 March 1980 |
| Presented by | United Kingdom,Australia,New Zealand,FijiandKenya |
| Eligibility | Civilians, police, and military personnel who participated in the resolution of Zimbabwean independence |
| Established | August 1980 |
| Total | Circa 2,500,[1]including 152 to Australians[2] |
 Ribbon bar of medal | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Varies by country |
| Next (lower) | Varies by country |
TheRhodesia Medalwas initiated by theBritishGovernment in consultation withAustralia,New Zealand,FijiandKenya,[3]whose forces took part in Operation AGILA (Operation MIDFORDfor the New Zealand forces). The role of the multi-national force was to keep peace between 22,000 guerrilla fighters and theRhodesian forcesduring the ceasefire and run-up to the1980 elections.
Each country treats the medal as part of its ownhonourssystem.
Qualification
[edit]The medal was awarded for service of at least 14 days between 1 December 1979 and 20 March 1980, to members of the military and police forces, as well as eligible civilians, who participated in monitoring the ceasefire and supervising the elections in the lead-up toZimbabwean independence.[4]There was no minimum qualifying period for those killed, wounded or disabled due to service, or where a recipient was decorated for gallantry.[3]
Recipients of the Rhodesia Medal also received theZimbabwean Independence Medalin either silver or bronze,[1]although British personnel did not have permission to wear it in uniform,[5]while New Zealand granted approval for restricted wear only.[6]
Description
[edit]Issued by theRoyal Mint,the Rhodesia Medal had the following design:[1]
- It is circular, made ofrhodium-platedcupro-nickeland 36 mm in diameter.
- Theobversefeatures the crowned effigy ofQueen Elizabeth IIwith the inscription'ELIZABETH II DEL GRATIA REGINA FID.DEF'.
- The reverse depicts asable antelopesurrounded by the inscription'THE RHODESIA MEDAL'and '1980'.
- The medal was issued named to British armed forces personnel, but unnamed to police officers.[4]
- The medal is suspended from a 32 mm sky-blue ribbon with three central stripes of red, white and blue.
- No clasps were awarded.
Precedence
[edit]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^abcJoslin, Litherland and Simpkin.British Battles and Medals.pp. 265–6. Published Spink, London. 1988.
- ^John Mussell, ed. (2013).Medal Yearbook 2013.Honiton, Devon: Token Publishing. p. 393.ISBN978-1908828002.
- ^ab"The Rhodesia Medal Regulations".The Stationery Office.August 1980.Retrieved3 May2018.
- ^abJohn Mussell, ed. (2015).Medal Yearbook 2015.Honiton, Devon: Token Publishing. p. 201.ISBN978-1908828163.
- ^The Zimbabwean Independence Medal is not mentioned in the official British order of wear.
- ^ab"The Wearing of Medals in New Zealand Table – A Guide to the Correct Order of Wear".New Zealand Defence Force.8 February 2019.Retrieved7 August2019.
- ^"The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards"(PDF).25 September 2007.Retrieved3 May2018.
- ^"No. 62529".The London Gazette(Supplement). 11 January 2019. p. 327.
External links
[edit]- It's an Honour - Australian Government site, the Rhodesia Medal
- ADF Honours and Awards since 1975
- NZDF Medals
- Rhodesia Medal Regulations
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