South African Medal for War Services
Encyclopedia
The South African Medal for War Services was awarded for part-time voluntary service in support of the war effort between 6 September 1939 and 15 February 1946.
was instituted by a Royal Warrant
dated 29 December 1945 and countersigned and sealed at Cape Town
on 6 February 1946, for award to both sexes, whether British
subjects or not. The requirements were a minimum of two year's service, one at least of which was continuous, rendered voluntarily and without pay, within or outside the borders of the Union of South Africa
, in one or more of the officially recognized voluntary organizations, providing that five or more hours were worked every week.
Institution
The medalMedal
A medal, or medallion, is generally a circular object that has been sculpted, molded, cast, struck, stamped, or some way rendered with an insignia, portrait, or other artistic rendering. A medal may be awarded to a person or organization as a form of recognition for athletic, military, scientific,...
was instituted by a Royal Warrant
Royal sign-manual
The royal sign manual is the formal name given in the Commonwealth realms to the autograph signature of the sovereign, by the affixing of which the monarch expresses his or her pleasure either by order, commission, or warrant. A sign-manual warrant may be either an executive actfor example, an...
dated 29 December 1945 and countersigned and sealed at 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...
on 6 February 1946, for award to both sexes, whether British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
subjects or not. The requirements were a minimum of two year's service, one at least of which was continuous, rendered voluntarily and without pay, within or outside the borders of the Union of South Africa
Union of South Africa
The Union of South Africa is the historic predecessor to the present-day Republic of South Africa. It came into being on 31 May 1910 with the unification of the previously separate colonies of the Cape, Natal, Transvaal and the Orange Free State...
, in one or more of the officially recognized voluntary organizations, providing that five or more hours were worked every week.
External links
Further reading
- Alexander, E. G. M., Barron G. K. B. and Bateman, A. J. (1986), South African Orders, Decorations and Medals, Human and Rousseau, Cape Town, 1986.
- Monick, S, (1988). South African Military Awards 1912-1987. South African National Museum of Military History, Johannesburg.
- Fforde, J.P.I. and Monick, S, (1988). A Guide to South African Orders, Decorations and Medals and their Ribbons 1896-1985. South African National Museum of Military History, Johannesburg, 1986.