- Time Period: World War II
- Institution: 1943
- Country: Great Britain
The Africa Service Medal is a South African campaign medal for service during the Second World War, awarded to members of the Union Defence Forces, the South African Police and the South African Railways Police.
The Africa Service Medal was instituted by King George VI as South African head of state, and was awarded in addition to the British campaign stars and campaign medals (several Commonwealth nations established their own service medals, all distinctive in design, purpose and criteria.)
To qualify for the medal, the person must have volunteered for war service outside South Africa and must have served, either at home or abroad, between 6 September 1939 and 2 September 1945 inclusive, continuously for thirty days or part-time for at least eighteen hours in non continuous training.
The Africa Service Medal Design
The medal was struck in silver and designed by Field Marshal Jan Smuts. It measures 36 millimeters in diameter and 3 millimeters thick at the raised rim.
The obverse depicts a map of Africa, surrounded by the name of the medal in English and Afrikaans, “AFRICA SERVICE MEDAL” at left and “AFRIKADIENS-MEDALJE” at right.
The reverse shows a prancing springbok against a landscape background, with the recipient’s name, rank, unit, and number impressed on the edge.
The ribbon measures 32 millimeters and is orange-red, the colors of the shoulder flash worn by South African volunteers, with 3½ mm wide green and yellow bands.
Find This Campaign Medal
More WW2 British Campaign Medals
During World War II (1939–1945) British campaign medals were awarded to members of the British Armed Forces and civilians for active service in specific military campaigns or operations. These included:
The Southern Rhodesia Service Medal
The Southern Rhodesia Service Medal 1939-1945 is a campaign medal awarded to members of the Southern Rhodesia Defence Forces for home service.
The Newfoundland Volunteer War Service Medal
The Newfoundland Volunteer War Service Medal was created to honor those from Newfoundland & Labrador who served in British Forces.
The Atlantic Star
The Atlantic Star is a military campaign medal, instituted by the United Kingdom in May 1945 for the Battle of the Atlantic.
The Australian Service Medal 1939-1945
The Australia Service Medal 1939–1945 is a military medal (Great Britain, Australia) that recognizes service in Australia’s armed forces, Mercantile Marine, and Volunteer Defence Corps during World War II.
The Defence Medal (United Kingdom)
The Defence Medal is a campaign medal instituted in 1945 awarded to subjects of the British Commonwealth for service during WW2.
The France and Germany Star
The France and Germany Star is a military campaign medal awarded to subjects of the British Commonwealth who served during WW2.
The Burma Star
The Burma Star is a military campaign medal for award to subjects of the British Commonwealth who served in the Burma Campaign.
The Africa Star
The Africa Star is a military campaign medal awarded to those who served in the Second World War specifically in North Africa.
