Africa Service Medal - 210034 C.J.H. MIENIE

Africa Service Medal - 210034 C.J.H. MIENIE

History

The Africa Service Medal was a South African campaign medal presented for service during World War II. The medal was instituted in December 1943, and was awarded to members of the Union Defence Forces, the South African Police, and the South African Railways Police who volunteered for war service outside South Africa, and had served continuously for thirty days, or part-time for a total of eighteen months, between 6 September 1939 and 2 September 1945.

As the name implies, the medal was originally intended for service on the African continent - up to the defeat of the Axis forces in North Africa 1943 - but it was later extended to cover service anywhere in the world, right up to the end of the war.

The medal was awarded in addition to the standard Commonwealth campaign awards for World War II.

The design was suggested by Field Marshal J.C. Smuts the South African World War II prime minister.

World War II ex-servicemen referred to the ribbon of this medal as Ouma's Garter. Ouma (meaning Granny) in reference to the wife of Field Marshal J.C. Smuts who had the nickname Granny Smuts, the nickname being a tribute to her unstinting efforts to supply the South African troops with home comforts.

Description

The medal is circular, 36mm in diameter and was struck in silver. The obverse of this medal depicts a map of Africa, surrounded by the name of the medal in English; AFRICA SERVICE MEDAL', and Afrikaans; 'AFRIKADIENS-MEDALJE'.

The reverse depicts a Springbok prancing through the veld.

The recipient's details can be found on the medal's rim in small impressed capital letters with the prefixes 'N' for Native Military Corps, 'C' for Cape Corps and 'M' for Malay Corps. White recipients had no prefix.

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