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.[1]
Prior to 2 March 1970, Rhodesians were conferred awards in the British honours system.
The list of Rhodesian honours and decorations, in order of precedence, is as follows:
Name | Postnominal | Civilian Ribbon |
Military / Police Ribbon |
Service |
---|---|---|---|---|
Grand Cross of Valour | GCV | - | ![]() |
ALL |
Conspicuous Gallantry Decoration | CGD | - | ![]() |
Military |
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 | ![]() |
![]() |
Military |
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[2] | - | ![]() |
- | 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 |
Around 12,000 awards were given out between 1970 and 1981. The last Rhodesian gallantry awards were awarded in June 1980,[1] three months after Zimbabwe's independence. However, Rhodesian long-service decorations continued to be given to police officers and service personnel until June 1982.[3]
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.[4]