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 medal was originally intended for service in Africa, but it was later extended to cover service anywhere in the world.

Institution

In addition to the British Second World War campaign medals awarded to combatants from all members of the British Commonwealth, several Commonwealth nations established their own service medals, all distinctive in design, purpose and criteria.

For South Africa, the Africa Service Medal was instituted on 23 December 1943 by King George VI in his capacity as South African head of state, and was awarded in addition to the British campaign stars and medals awarded for the war.

Description

The medal was struck in silver to a design suggested by Field Marshal Jan Smuts. It is 36 millimetres in diameter and 3 millimetres thick at the raised rim, and is affixed to the suspender by means of claws and a pin through the upper edge of the medal. The nickname was a tribute to her unstinting efforts to supply the South African troops with home comforts.

King's Commendation (1939–45)

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The King's Commendation (South Africa) (1939–45), denoted by a bronze King Protea flower emblem, was authorised to be worn on the ribbon of the Africa Service Medal and could be awarded for valuable services in connection with the Second World War. The Commendation could be awarded posthumously and was the equivalent of a Mention in Despatches, but for services rendered away from the battlefield. The full-size emblem, worn on the ribbon with the medal, is 19 millimetres high, and the miniature to be worn on the ribbon bar is 9 millimetres high.

  • The Atlantic Star, from 3 September 1939 to 8 May 1945, the duration of the Battle of the Atlantic and the War in Europe.
  • The Arctic Star, from 3 September 1939 to 8 May 1945, the duration of the Battle of the Atlantic and the War in Europe.
  • The Air Crew Europe Star, from 3 September 1939 to 5 June 1944, the period until D-Day minus one.
  • The Africa Star, from 10 June 1940 to 12 May 1943, the duration of the North African Campaign.
  • The Pacific Star, from 8 December 1941 to 2 September 1945, the duration of the Pacific War.
  • The Burma Star, from 11 December 1941 to 2 September 1945, the duration of the Burma Campaign.
  • The Italy Star, from 11 June 1943 to 8 May 1945, the duration of the Italian Campaign.
  • The France and Germany Star, from 6 June 1944 to 8 May 1945, the duration of the Northwest Europe Campaign.
  • The Defence Medal, from 3 September 1939 to 2 September 1945, the full duration of the Second World War.
  • The War Medal 1939–1945, from 3 September 1939 to 2 September 1945, the full duration of the Second World War.

The war service medals established by individual Commonwealth nations to augment the British Second World War campaign medals, all take precedence after the War Medal 1939–1945 in the respective orders of wear of those countries. These medals are, in order of date of institution:

  • The Africa Service Medal, instituted on 23 December 1943.
  • The New Zealand War Service Medal, instituted on 6 June 1946.
  • The Australia Service Medal 1939–1945, instituted in November 1949.
  • The Newfoundland Volunteer War Service Medal, instituted on 6 November 6, 1981.

South Africa

On 6 April 1952 a new set of South African decorations and medals was instituted to replace the British awards used previously. The older British decorations and medals continued to be worn in the same order but, with the exception of the Victoria Cross, took precedence after all South African orders, decorations and medals. Of the British medals applicable to South Africans, the Africa Service Medal takes precedence as shown below.

x37px|War Medal x37px|Africa Service Medal x37px|King George V Coronation Medal

  • Preceded by the War Medal 1939–1945.
  • Succeeded by the King George V Coronation Medal.

References