Silver Cross of Rhodesia

The Silver Cross of Rhodesia was Rhodesia's second-highest military decoration for conspicuous gallantry.

Silver Cross of Rhodesia
TypeMilitary decoration
Awarded forConspicuous Gallantry
CountryRhodesia
Post-nominalsSCR
StatusDiscontinued
Established1970
First awarded1974
Last awarded1980
Total34
Total awarded posthumously3 (Martin Pearse SAS, Bruce Thompson 2RAR and Bruce Snelgar 1RLI)
Ribbon of the Silver Cross
Precedence
Next (higher)Conspicuous Gallantry Decoration
Next (lower)Bronze Cross of Rhodesia

It was the equivalent of the Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Conduct Medal and Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, with all ranks eligible.

Institution

The award was instituted in 1970 by Presidential Warrant, the first awards being made in 1974. The last awards were made in June 1980.

Medal

The medal was a sterling silver cross with an enamelled roundel in the centre bearing a lion's head, suspended from a ribbon woven half-red and half blue, with green edges and narrow white stripes at the inner edge of the green Silver Cross of Rhodesia SCR. The medal was impressed in small capitals with the recipient's name on the reverse, and was awarded with a case of issue, miniature medal for wear, and an illuminated certificate.

Recipients

A total of 34 awards of the Silver Cross of Rhodesia were made,[1] three posthumously. Notable recipients included Martin Pearse, who was killed in Lusaka in 1979 during the attempted assassination by the Rhodesian SAS of the ZAPU insurgent leader Joshua Nkomo.

Recipients were entitled to the post-nominal letters SCR.

Zimbabwe

The Silver Cross of Rhodesia was superseded in October 1980[2] by the Silver Cross of Zimbabwe, which is also awarded for conspicuous bravery, but which is open for award to civilians as well as military personnel.

Notes
  1. Rhodesia Medal Roll, p28
  2. Zimbabwe Government Statutory Instrument No. 677 of 1981, 14 September 1981.

References
  • Pittaway, J, and Fourie, C., 2003. SAS Rhodesia, Dandy Agencies, South Africa. ISBN 0-620-29347-0
  • Saffery, D., 2006. The Rhodesia Medal Roll, Jeppestown Press, United Kingdom. ISBN 0-9553936-0-4
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