Ribbon, WW2 Southern Rhodesia War Services Medal

The Southern Rhodesia Service Medal 1939–1945 was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth. It was awarded to members of the Southern Rhodesia Defence Forces for home service during World War II.

After the war, the colony's government pressed the Dominions Office in London for a distinct Southern Rhodesian war medal for home service, to reward those who would otherwise not have received a campaign medal. In response, the Southern Rhodesia Service Medal was authorised in 1948 and distributed from 1949.

The medal was awarded to members of the Southern Rhodesian Defence Forces who had at least six months full or part-time service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945, and who were not eligible for any other British World War II campaign medal.

• A total of 3,908 medals were awarded, mainly to those who had served part-time:
  • Southern Rhodesia Territorial Force: 3,140
  • British South Africa Police Reservists: 497
  • Those who served with both bodies: 271

While most of the recipients were white, 62 Africans serving with the British South Africa Police received the medal.

 Full size ribbon 32 mm width