Efficiency Medal (South Africa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Efficiency Medal (South Africa) |
|
|---|---|
_George_VI.jpg)
King George VI version
|
|
| Country |  Union of South Africa |
| Type | Military long service medal |
| Eligibility | Part-time other ranks and some officers |
| Awarded for | Twelve years of efficient service |
| Status | Discontinued in 1952 |
| Clasps | For further periods of 6 years service |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 1930 |
| South African order of wear | |
| Next (higher) |  Efficiency Decoration (South Africa) |
| Equivalent |  Efficiency Medal Efficiency Medal (New Zealand) |
| Next (lower) | Special Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal |
.png){kind=small} Ribbon Bar |
|
The Efficiency Medal (South Africa) was a special award given in South Africa. It was created in 1930. This medal was for part-time soldiers who were not officers. They received it after serving for twelve years in the Citizen Force. The Citizen Force was like a reserve army in the Union of South Africa.
If a soldier served even longer, they could get a "clasp" for their medal. A clasp is a small bar added to the medal ribbon. This medal replaced an older award called the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal. In 1952, the Efficiency Medal (South Africa) was replaced by the John Chard Medal.
Contents
What is the Efficiency Medal?
The Efficiency Medal (South Africa) was a medal given for long and good service. It was for soldiers who served part-time in the army. These soldiers were called "warrant officers," "non-commissioned officers," and "men." They were part of the Citizen Force.
When was the medal created?
The medal was officially started on 23 September 1930. A special Royal Warrant made it official. This warrant also created the clasps. Clasps were given for extra years of service.
The medal had a special title on it. This title showed that the person earned the medal while serving in South Africa. The words were in both English and Afrikaans. They were on a small bar attached to the medal.
There was a similar award for officers. It was called the Efficiency Decoration (South Africa).
Who could earn the medal?
Soldiers could get the medal after twelve years of good service. This service had to be continuous. It meant they served without long breaks.
How did soldiers qualify?
- They had to be part-time soldiers in the Citizen Force.
- Their service had to be "efficient," meaning they did their job well.
- Service during wartime counted double. This helped soldiers earn the medal faster.
- Sometimes, short breaks in service were allowed. They did not stop a soldier from getting the medal.
What about clasps?
Clasps were given for more years of service.
- The first clasp was for eighteen years of service.
- Another clasp was for twenty-four years.
- Later, more clasps could be earned for every six extra years.
- If soldiers did not wear their medals, they wore a small silver flower on their ribbon bar. This showed they had earned clasps.
Changes for officers
In 1946, a change was made. Some part-time officers could also get the medal. This was if they had served during World War II. Many soldiers became officers during the war. This change made sure they could still get the medal for their earlier service. However, officers who already had the Efficiency Decoration could not get this medal.
Who else could get it?
The medal was first for the South African Army and South African Air Force. In 1942, the South African Navy was formed. After this, navy members of the Citizen Force could also earn the medal.
What did the medal look like?
The medal was made of silver. It was oval-shaped. It was about 39 millimetres high and 32 millimetres wide. The medal had a bar at the top with laurel leaves. This bar connected to the ribbon. The name of the person who received the medal was written on its edge.
Front of the medal
There were three different versions of the medal. Each version had a picture of the king or queen at the time.
- The first version showed King George V. He was wearing his crown and robes.
- The second version showed King George VI. He became king in 1936. This medal also showed him in his crown and robes.
- The third version showed Queen Elizabeth II. She became queen in 1952. This medal was never actually given out. The medal was replaced soon after she became queen.
_Elizabeth_II_v1.jpg)
Scroll bar
The King George VI version had a scroll bar. It said "UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA" and "UNIE VAN SUID-AFRIKA." These words were in English and Afrikaans. The Queen Elizabeth II version only had English words.
Back of the medal
The back of the medal was smooth. It had the words "FOR EFFICIENT SERVICE" written on it. On the King George VI version, it also had "VIR BEKWAME DIENS" in Afrikaans.
Clasp
The clasp was also made of silver. It had a crown design on it. It was sewn onto the medal ribbon.
Ribbon
The ribbon was 32 millimetres wide. It was dark green. It had bright lime yellow stripes on each side.
When did the medal stop being awarded?
The Efficiency Medal was stopped on 6 April 1952. It was replaced by the John Chard Medal. The John Chard Medal was for all ranks in the Citizen Force. It was also given for twelve years of good service.
Images for kids
-
Ribbon for the Efficiency Decoration (South Africa)
-
Ribbon for the Efficiency Medal (South Africa)
-
Ribbon for the Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
.png){kind=small}
