Union Medal
Union Medal | |
---|---|
Type | Military long service medal |
Awarded for | 18 years of good service |
Country | South Africa |
Presented by | The monarch of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms |
Eligibility | Permanent Force, all ranks |
Clasps | 30 years of good service |
Status | Discontinued in 1961 |
Established | 1952 |
First awarded | 1952 |
18 Years and 30 Years service ribbon bars | |
SADF pre-1994 & SANDF post-2002 orders of wear | |
Next (higher) | SADF precedence: SANDF precedence: |
Next (lower) | SADF succession: SANDF succession: |
The Union Medal was instituted by the Union of South Africa in 1952. It was awarded to Permanent Force members of the South African Defence Force for eighteen years of service and good conduct.[1][2][3]
The South African military
The Union Defence Forces (UDF) were established in 1912 and renamed the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1958. On 27 April 1994, it was integrated with six other independent forces into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).[1][4][5]
Institution
The Union Medal was instituted by Queen Elizabeth II on 6 April 1952, during the Tercentenary Van Riebeeck Festival.[2][3][6][7]
Award criteria
The medal could be awarded to Permanent Force members of the South African Defence Force for eighteen years of good service. A clasp could be awarded after thirty years of service.[1]
Order of wear
With effect from 6 April 1952, when the Union Medal and several other new decorations and medals were instituted, these new awards took precedence before all earlier British orders, decorations and medals awarded to South Africans, with the exception of the Victoria Cross, which still took precedence before all other awards. The other older British awards continued to be worn in the order prescribed by the British Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood.[8][9][10]
The position of the Union Medal in the official order of precedence was revised three times after 1975, to accommodate the inclusion or institution of new decorations and medals, first upon the integration into the South African National Defence Force on 27 April 1994, again when decorations and medals were belatedly instituted in April 1996 for the two former non-statutory forces, the Azanian People's Liberation Army and Umkhonto we Sizwe, and again when a new series of military orders, decorations and medals was instituted in South Africa on 27 April 2003.[10]
- South African Defence Force until 26 April 1994
- Official SADF order of precedence:
- Preceded by the Good Service Medal, Silver.
- Succeeded by the Permanent Force Good Service Medal.[11]
- Official national order of precedence. This national precedence was in error in respect of the next lower medal as determined according to their dates of institution. It was corrected by 1994.[10][11]
- Preceded by the Railways and Harbours Police Medal for Faithful Service.
- Succeeded by the Permanent Force Good Service Medal of 1961. (This is an error and should be the Railway Police Good Service Medal of 1960.)[10][11]
- South African National Defence Force from 27 April 1994
- Official SANDF order of precedence:
- Preceded by the Long Service Medal, Silver of the Republic of Venda.
- Succeeded by the Permanent Force Good Service Medal of the Republic of South Africa.[10]
- Official national order of precedence:
- Preceded by the Railways and Harbours Police Medal for Faithful Service of the Republic of South Africa.
- Succeeded by the Railway Police Good Service Medal of the Republic of South Africa.[10]
- South African National Defence Force from April 1996
- Official SANDF order of precedence:
- Preceded by the Silver Service Medal of the Azanian People's Liberation Army.
- Succeeded by the Permanent Force Good Service Medal of the Republic of South Africa.[10]
- Official national order of precedence:
- Preceded by the Railways and Harbours Police Medal for Faithful Service of the Republic of South Africa.
- Succeeded by the Railway Police Good Service Medal of the Republic of South Africa.[10]
- South African National Defence Force from 27 April 2003
- Official SANDF order of precedence:
- Preceded by the Medalje vir Troue Diens and Bar, 20 years of the Republic of South Africa.
- Succeeded by the Permanent Force Good Service Medal of the Republic of South Africa.[10]
- Official national order of precedence:
- Preceded by the Railways and Harbours Police Medal for Faithful Service of the Republic of South Africa.
- Succeeded by the Railway Police Good Service Medal of the Republic of South Africa.[10]
Description
- Obverse
The Union Medal is a medallion with a scalloped edge and a raised rim, 38 millimetres in diameter and 3 millimetres thick at the rim and struck in silver, depicting the pre-1994 South African coat of arms encircled with the inscription "UNIE-MEDALJE • UNION MEDAL". The ribbon suspender is decorated with proteas and leaves.[1][12]
- Reverse
The reverse depicts Queen Elizabeth II's royal cipher, a crown over "E II R", and has a raised rim and decorated ribbon suspender, similar to those of the obverse. The medals and ribbon suspenders were minted separately and soldered together. The medal number was impressed at the bottom on the rim.[1]
- Ribbon
The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide, with bands of orange, white and blue repeated, three times, the outer orange and blue bands each 4 millimetres wide and the seven inner bands all approximately 3½ millimetres wide. Orange, white and blue are the colours of the pre-1994 national flag.[1][12]
- Clasp
The clasp, awarded after thirty years of service, was struck in silver and is 1+1⁄4 inches (32 millimetres) wide, with the coat of arms of South Africa in the centre and with a hole at each corner to enable it to be sewn to the ribbon. When ribbons only are worn, recipients of the clasp would wear a silver button on the ribbon bar, embellished with the South African coat of arms.
Discontinuation
Conferment of the Union Medal was discontinued on 31 May 1961, when South Africa became a republic and the medal was replaced by the Permanent Force Good Service Medal.[10][11]
References
- ^ a b c d e f South African Medal Website - SA Defence Force : 1952-1975 (Accessed 30 April 2015)
- ^ a b Alexander, E.G.M., Barron, G.K.B. and Bateman, A.J. (1986). South African Orders, Decorations and Medals. Human and Rousseau.
- ^ a b Monick, S, (1988). South African Military Awards 1912-1987. South African National Museum of Military History.
- ^ South African Medal Website - SA Defence Force : 1975-2003 (Accessed 30 April 2015)
- ^ Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 457, no. 25213, Pretoria, 25 July 2003
- ^ CometoCapeTown.com Blast from the past – Van Riebeeck festival in 1952 (Accessed 30 April 2015)
- ^ South African Medal Website - Legal aspects - Fount of Honour (Accessed 1 May 2015)
- ^ "No. 56878". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 March 2003. p. 3352. (Access date 14 April 2015)
- ^ Government Notice no. 1982 of 1 October 1954 - Order of Precedence of Orders, Decorations and Medals, published in the Government Gazette of 1 October 1954.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005. OCLC 72827981 In the document, the printed identification number is 9771682584003.
- ^ a b c d Republic of South Africa Government Gazette no. 15093, Pretoria, 3 September 1993
- ^ a b SA Army - Uniform: Former Forces Medals: South African Defence Force
- v
- t
- e
Pre-Union
until 6 April 1952
- Victoria Cross
- Dekoratie voor Trouwe Dienst
- Distinguished Service Order
- Distinguished Service Cross
- Military Cross
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Air Force Cross
- Distinguished Conduct Medal
- Distinguished Conduct Medal (Natal)
- Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
- Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying)
- Distinguished Service Medal
- Military Medal
- Distinguished Flying Medal
- Air Force Medal
- British Empire Medal (Military)
- South Africa Medal (1853)
- South Africa Medal (1880)
- Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal
- Queen's South Africa Medal
- Medalje voor de Anglo-Boere Oorlog
- Lint voor Verwonding
- King's South Africa Medal
- Natal Native Rebellion Medal
- 1914–15 Star
- British War Medal
- Victory Medal (South Africa)
- Mercantile Marine War Medal
- 1939–1945 Star
- Atlantic Star
- Arctic Star
- Air Crew Europe Star
- Africa Star
- Pacific Star
- Burma Star
- Italy Star
- France and Germany Star
- Defence Medal
- War Medal
- Africa Service Medal
- King George V Coronation Medal
- King George V Silver Jubilee Medal
- King George VI Coronation Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal (United Kingdom)
- Meritorious Service Medal (Cape of Good Hope)
- Meritorious Service Medal (Natal)
- Meritorious Service Medal (South Africa)
- Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Cape of Good Hope)
- Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Natal)
- Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Medal
- Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (South Africa)
- Volunteer Officers' Decoration for India and the Colonies
- Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies
- Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration
- Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal
- Efficiency Decoration (South Africa)
- Efficiency Medal (South Africa)
- Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
- Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
- Air Efficiency Award
- King's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces
- Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal
- South African Medal for War Services
- Sir Harry Smith's Medal for Gallantry (Unofficial)
- Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps Medal (Unofficial)
- Kimberley Star (Unofficial)
- Cape Copper Company Medal for the Defence of O'okiep (Unofficial)
1952–1994
- Honoris Crux Gold
- Star of South Africa, Gold
- Star of South Africa, Silver
- Star of South Africa (1952)
- Louw Wepener Decoration
- Honoris Crux (1952)
- Honoris Crux Silver
- Van Riebeeck Decoration
- Honoris Crux (1975)
- Pro Virtute Decoration
- Southern Cross Decoration
- Pro Merito Decoration
- Van Riebeeck Medal
- Louw Wepener Medal
- Ad Astra Decoration
- Army Cross
- Air Force Cross
- Navy Cross
- Medical Service Cross
- Southern Cross Medal (1952)
- Pro Merito Medal (1967)
- Southern Cross Medal (1975)
- Pro Merito Medal (1975)
- Danie Theron Medal
- Jack Hindon Medal
- Military Merit Medal
- Korea Medal
- Pro Patria Medal
- Southern Africa Medal
- General Service Medal (South Africa)
- Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
- Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service
- Good Service Medal, Gold
- John Chard Decoration
- De Wet Decoration
- Cadet Corps Medal
- Good Service Medal, Silver
- Union Medal
- Permanent Force Good Service Medal
- John Chard Medal
- Good Service Medal, Bronze
- De Wet Medal
- Queen's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces
- Commandant General's Medal
- SADF Champion Shot Medal
- National Cadet Bisley Grand Champion Medal
Transkei
- Cross for Bravery
- Transkei Defence Force Medal
- Independence Medal (Transkei)
- Military Rule Medal
- Faithful Service Medal
Bophuthatswana
- Order of the Leopard, Commander
- Distinguished Gallantry Cross
- Defence Force Merit Decoration
- Distinguished Gallantry Medal
- Defence Force Merit Medal
- Marumo Medal, Class I
- Defence Force Commendation Medal
- Marumo Medal, Class II
- Nkwe Medal
- General Service Medal
- Independence Medal
- Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Gold
- Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Silver
- Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Bronze
- State President's Medal for Shooting
Venda
- Gallantry Cross, Gold
- Gallantry Cross, Silver
- Distinguished Service Medal, Gold
- Distinguished Service Medal, Silver
- Venda Defence Force Medal
- General Service Medal (Venda)
- Independence Medal (Venda)
- Long Service Medal, Gold
- Long Service Medal, Silver
- Long Service Medal, Bronze
Ciskei
Umkhonto
we Sizwe
Azanian People's
Liberation Army
From 1994