South African
Medal Website
South African
Honours and Awards
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Updated: May 2006
© Arthur Radburn


Colonial Military Forces

The Cape Colony's military forces, called the Cape Colonial Forces (CCF) from 1901, comprised a small Permanent Force and a part-time Volunteer Force. Natal had the para-military Natal Police (NP), and a Volunteer Force, which was reorganised as the Natal Militia (NM) in 1904. The NP and NM amalgamated to form the Natal Colonial Forces (NCF) in 1908. The Transvaal had the Transvaal Volunteers (TV), formed in 1902.

All three organisations were absorbed into the new Union Defence Forces (UDF) in July 1913.

In May 1894, Queen Victoria authorised colonial governments to adopt various military medals, and to award them to their local forces. Natal and the Cape introduced this system in August and September 1894 respectively, and the Transvaal followed in December 1902. These colonial medals were used until June 1913.

  


Medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field (1896-1913)
An adopted British decoration, for distinctly gallant and distinguished service in the field by "other ranks". Adopted by the Cape in 1896, by Natal in 1897, and by the Transvaal in 1902. Only 8 awards were made, all by Natal.

Insignia: Same design as the equivalent British award: a circular silver medal displaying the reigning monarch's head (obverse) and the words "For Distinguished Conduct in the Field" with the name of the colony (reverse).


Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal (1900)
Issued, on application. to surviving veterans of the Transkei campaign and the Basutoland Gun War (both September 1880 to April 1881), and the Bechuanaland campaign (December 1896 to July 1897). Clasps inscribed "Transkei", "Basutoland", and "Bechuanaland" were issued to identify the campaigns. A total of 5252 medals was issued.

Insignia: A circular silver medal displaying the head of Queen Victoria (obverse) and the Cape Colony coat of arms (reverse).


Natal Native Rebellion Medal (1907)
For service (minimum 20 days) in operations against Zulu rebels in Natal between 11 February and 3 August 1906. A clasp was added if the recipient had served for 50 days or longer, which most of them had. Although primarily intended for the Natal forces, the medal was also issued to Cape and Transvaal units which supported them. A total of 9622 medals was issued.

Insignia: A silver circular medal depicting King Edward VII (obverse), and Natalia and Britannia (reverse).

 [Cape]  [Natal]
Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (1896-1913)
An adopted British medal, introduced in the Cape in 1896 and in Natal in 1897. Awarded for 18 years irreproachable service in the ranks of the Permanent Force (Cape) or the Natal Police. If a recipient later received the Medal for Meritorious Service, he had to stop wearing the long service medal.

Insignia: A circular silver medal displaying a trophy of arms (until 1901) or the effigy of the reigning monarch (obverse) and "For Long Service and Good Conduct" and the name of the colony (reverse).

 [Cape]  [Natal]
Medal for Meritorious Service (1896-1913)
Another adopted British medal, introduced together with the long service medal. Awarded to PF and NP warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers, usually on retirement, after long and valuable service.

Insignia: Similar design to the long service medal, but with a "For Meritorious Service" and the colony's name on the reverse.


Volunteer Officers' Decoration (VD) (1894-1901)
Instituted for the British forces in 1892 and adopted by both Natal and the Cape in 1894. Awarded to volunteer officers after 20 years efficient commissioned service.

Insignia: An oval silver wreath of oak leaves framing a gilt royal cipher.


Volunteer Long Service Medal (1895-1901)
Instituted for the British forces in 1894 and adopted by Natal and the Cape in 1895. Awarded to all ranks of the volunteers after 20 years efficient service. An officer who later received the VD (either version) had to stop wearing the medal.

Insignia: A circular silver medal displaying the effigy of the reigning monarch (obverse) and "For Long Service in the Volunteer Force" (reverse).


Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration (VD) (1900-1913)
Instituted in 1899 to replace the Volunteer Officers' Decoration in the colonies, and adopted by Natal in 1900, the Cape in 1901, and the Transvaal in 1906. Awarded to volunteer or militia officers after 20 years efficient commissioned service.

Insignia: A crowned oval silver frame enclosing a gilt royal cipher.


Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal (1900-1913)
Instituted, and adopted, at the same time as the CAF Officers' Decoration. Awarded to all ranks in the volunteer or militia forces, after 20 years efficient service. An officer who later received the VD had to stop wearing the medal.

Insignia: A circular silver medal displaying the effigy of the reigning monarch (obverse) and "For Long Service in the Colonial Auxiliary Forces" (reverse).

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