Castle of Good Hope Decoration
Encyclopedia
The Castle of Good Hope Decoration was South Africa
's highest military honour from 1952 to 2003. It was introduced on 6 April 1952, and formally authorised by Queen Elizabeth II
on 26 January 1953, as a substitute for the Victoria Cross
, for which South African servicemen had previously been eligible.
The conditions for award were "most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty" in the presence of the enemy in wartime. In 1986, the restriction to wartime was removed to make the decoration available in other military operations. The decoration was never awarded, and was superseded by the Nkwe ya Gauta
with effect from 27 April 2003.
The CGH is a gold pentagon, representing the outline of South Africa's oldest military building, the Castle of Good Hope
in Cape Town
. The obverse displays a scene of three ships sailing into Table Bay
in 1652, surrounded by the name of the decoration in English and Afrikaans. The reverse displays the 1910-pattern South African coat of arms, and specimens struck before the country became a republic in 1961 also have Queen Elizabeth's royal cipher (E II R).
The ribbon is plain green. It was designed to be worn around the neck, in the manner of the American Medal of Honor
, but it was altered to a chest decoration in the 1990s.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
's highest military honour from 1952 to 2003. It was introduced on 6 April 1952, and formally authorised by Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
on 26 January 1953, as a substitute for the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, for which South African servicemen had previously been eligible.
The conditions for award were "most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty" in the presence of the enemy in wartime. In 1986, the restriction to wartime was removed to make the decoration available in other military operations. The decoration was never awarded, and was superseded by the Nkwe ya Gauta
Nkwe ya Gauta
The Nkwe ya Gauta is South Africa's highest of the three classes of the Nkwe Decoration The Nkwe ya Gauta is South Africa's highest of the three classes of the Nkwe Decoration The Nkwe ya Gauta is South Africa's highest of the three classes of the Nkwe Decoration (see also Nkwe ya Selefera and...
with effect from 27 April 2003.
The CGH is a gold pentagon, representing the outline of South Africa's oldest military building, the Castle of Good Hope
Castle of Good Hope
The Castle of Good Hope is a star fort which was built on the original coastline of Table Bay and now, because of land reclamation, lies nearer to the Cape Town city centre in South Africa.-History:...
in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
. The obverse displays a scene of three ships sailing into Table Bay
Table Bay
Table Bay is a natural bay on the Atlantic Ocean overlooked by Cape Town and is at the northern end of the Cape Peninsula, which stretches south to the Cape of Good Hope. It was named because it is dominated by the flat-topped Table Mountain.Bartolomeu Dias was the first European to explore this...
in 1652, surrounded by the name of the decoration in English and Afrikaans. The reverse displays the 1910-pattern South African coat of arms, and specimens struck before the country became a republic in 1961 also have Queen Elizabeth's royal cipher (E II R).
The ribbon is plain green. It was designed to be worn around the neck, in the manner of the American Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
, but it was altered to a chest decoration in the 1990s.
See also
- British and Commonwealth orders and decorations
- South African military decorationsSouth African military decorationsAn overview of South African military decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system.-1894–1913:The colonial military forces received British military decorations in wartime. From 1894, the colonial governments awarded medals for distinguished conduct and for long...