Efficiency Decoration (South Africa) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Efficiency Decoration (South Africa)
Second King George V version
Presented by	the Monarch of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India
Country	South Africa

The Efficiency Decoration (South Africa), also known as the ED, was a special award given to military officers in South Africa. It was created in 1930 for part-time officers in the Union of South Africa's Citizen Force. These officers had to be very good at their jobs and serve for a long time.

This decoration was given for twenty years of service at first. Later, in 1949, this was changed to twelve years. The ED was replaced by the John Chard Decoration in 1952.

What is the Efficiency Decoration?

The Efficiency Decoration was a medal given to officers who served in the part-time military forces. These forces were like a reserve army. The award showed that an officer was "efficient and thoroughly capable." This means they were good at their job and very skilled.

Officers who received the ED could add the letters "ED" after their name. This was a way to show their special award.

How it Started

Before the Efficiency Decoration, there were other awards for long service. For example, the Volunteer Officers' Decoration was created in 1892 in the United Kingdom. Later, similar awards were made for volunteer forces across the British Empire.

The Efficiency Decoration was officially started on 23 September 1930. It was meant for part-time officers in the United Kingdom and other British countries, including South Africa. In South Africa, it took the place of an older award called the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration.

The South African version of the Efficiency Decoration was special. It was the only one that had its name written in two languages on the medal's bar. This was "UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA" and "UNIE VAN SUID-AFRIKA."

For soldiers who were not officers, there was a similar award called the Efficiency Medal (South Africa).

Who Could Get It?

To get the Efficiency Decoration, a part-time officer had to serve for a certain number of years.

• At first, officers needed twenty years of service. This service did not have to be all at once.
• From 1949, the time needed was reduced to twelve years.

If an officer had served as a regular soldier before becoming an officer, half of that time could count towards the award. Also, time spent serving during a war counted double!

The award was first given to officers in the South African Army and South African Air Force. In 1942, when the South African Navy was formed, its officers also became eligible for the decoration.

If an officer received the ED and had also earned other long service medals as a regular soldier, they could wear both. However, they had to complete the full service time for each award.

Clasps for More Service

From 1949, if an officer served even longer after getting the ED, they could earn a "clasp." A clasp is a small bar added to the medal's ribbon. Each clasp meant another six years of service.

If someone wore their uniform without the medal, they would put a small silver flower (called a rosette) on their ribbon bar. Each rosette showed they had earned a clasp.

What the Decoration Looked Like

The Efficiency Decoration was an oval-shaped medal made of silver. Some parts were also covered in gold.

The Front (Obverse)

The front of the medal had an oval wreath of oak leaves made of silver. In the middle, there was a gold symbol of the King who was ruling at the time. This symbol was called the Royal Cypher. Above it was the Royal Crown, also in gold.

There were three main versions of the decoration:

• The first version, from 1930, had King George V's symbol ("GVR") and crown inside the wreath.
• A second version for King George V had his symbol "GRI." On this one, the crown was placed higher, covering the top of the wreath.
• The King George VI version, introduced after 1936, had his symbol "GVIR."

The Bar-Brooch

The medal hung from a rectangular silver bar. This bar was special for South Africa because it had "UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA" and "UNIE VAN SUID-AFRIKA" written on it in two lines.

The Back (Reverse)

The back of the medal was smooth and plain. The officer's rank, first initial, and last name were written around the edge.

The Ribbon

The ribbon for the medal was 38 millimetres wide. It was dark green with a bright lime yellow stripe in the middle. This ribbon was the same as the one used for an older award called the Territorial Decoration.

The ribbon for the Efficiency Decoration (South Africa).

Who Received It?

In total, 886 Efficiency Decorations (South Africa) were awarded. One very famous person who received it was Jan Smuts. He was a Field Marshal and a very important leader in South African history.

When It Ended

The Efficiency Decoration (South Africa) stopped being awarded on 6 April 1952. It was replaced by the John Chard Decoration. The John Chard Decoration could be given to all ranks (not just officers) in the Citizen Force for twenty years of good service.

Images for kids

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  Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal

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  Efficiency Medal (South Africa)