Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal

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Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal
Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal (Victoria).jpg
Queen Victoria version
TypeMilitary long service medal
Awarded forTwenty years service
Country Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
Presented by the Monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and Empress of India
EligibilityAll ranks of part-time Colonial Forces
StatusDiscontinued in 1930
Established1899
Last awarded1931
Ribbon - Volunteer Long Service Medal.png
Ribbon bar
Order of Wear
Next (higher) Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration
Next (lower) Medal for Good Shooting (Naval)
Related Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies

The Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1899 as a military long service award for part-time members of all ranks in any of the organized military forces of the British Colonies, Dependencies and Protectorates throughout the British Empire. The medal gradually superseded the Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies in all these territories, with the exception of the Isle of Man, Bermuda and the Indian Empire. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

In 1930, the medal, along with the Volunteer Long Service Medal, the Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies, the Militia Long Service Medal, the Special Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and the Territorial Efficiency Medal, were superseded by the Efficiency Medal in an effort to standardise recognition across the Empire. [4]

Origin

The Volunteer Long Service Medal was instituted in 1894 as an award for long service by other ranks in the part-time Volunteer Force of the United Kingdom. In 1896, the grant of this medal was extended by Queen Victoria to members of Volunteer Forces throughout the British Empire and a separate new medal was instituted, the Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies. [5] [6]

Institution

The Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal was instituted by Queen Victoria's Royal Warrant of 18 May 1899. This medal could be awarded to part-time members of all ranks in recognition of long service in any of the organised military forces of the Dominion of Canada, the Crown Colonies and the Protectorates, whether designated as militia or volunteers or otherwise. The medal superseded the Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies in all these territories, with the exception of the Isle of Man, Bermuda and the Indian Empire. [1]

Adoption of the medal by the Colonies took place gradually. In the Colonies which would become the Union of South Africa in 1910, for example, it was adopted by the Colony of Natal in 1900, the Cape of Good Hope in 1901 and the Transvaal Colony in 1906. In Canada and New Zealand, the medal was authorised in 1902. [2] [7] [8]

Award criteria

The medal could be awarded for twenty years of service as a part-time member of any rank in any of the Colonial Auxiliary Forces. Qualifying service could be had by serving in the forces of more than one Colony or Protectorate. Service in the Militia and Volunteer Forces of the United Kingdom was also reckonable, so long as at least half of all qualifying service had been rendered in the forces of the Dominion, Colonies or Protectorates. Service on the West Coast of Africa counted as double time. Service on the permanent staff was not reckonable. [1] [9]

Officers holding the medal who were subsequently awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration were not required to surrender the medal, but were not permitted to wear it any more until such time as the full periods of service required for both decoration and medal were completed. [9]

On 25 January 1923, the Royal Warrant was amended in respect of part-time members who had actually served, or accepted the obligation of serving, beyond the boundaries of the Dominions, Colonies, Dependencies or Protectorates during the First World War. Such service on the active list was reckoned two-fold as qualifying service towards the requisite twenty years, whether such service was in the Naval Forces, Military Forces or Air Forces. [9]

Order of wear

In the order of wear prescribed by the British Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal takes precedence after the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration and before the Medal for Good Shooting (Naval). [10]

South Africa

With effect from 6 April 1952, when a new South African set of decorations and medals was instituted to replace the British awards used to date, the older British decorations and medals which were applicable to South Africa continued to be worn in the same order of precedence but, with the exception of the Victoria Cross, took precedence after all South African decorations and medals awarded to South Africans on or after that date. Of the official British medals which were applicable to South Africans, the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal takes precedence as shown. [10] [11] [12]

Ribbon - Volunteer Long Service Medal.png Ribbon - Volunteer Long Service Medal.png Ribbon - Efficiency Decoration (South Africa).png

Description

King Edward VII version Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal (Edward VII).jpg
King Edward VII version
King George V version Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal - George V version.jpg
King George V version

The medal was struck in silver and is a disk, 1.42 inches (36 millimetres) in diameter, with a raised rim on each side. It is suspended from a plain, straight, swivelling silver bar, affixed to the medal by means of a single-toe claw and a pin through the upper edge of the medal, with double scroll claw supports on the rim. [7] [8] [13]

Obverse

The obverse of the medal depicts the reigning monarch. Three obverse versions of the medal were struck. [7] [8]

Reverse

The reverse shows an ornamental shield bearing the legend "FOR LONG SERVICE IN THE COLONIAL AUXILIARY FORCES" in five lines. Above the shield is the Imperial Crown with a spray of oak leaves to the left and a spray of laurel to the right. [7] [8] [13] [14]

Ribbon

The ribbon is plain dark green and 1+14 inches (32 millimetres) wide. The same ribbon was used for the Volunteer Long Service Medal, the Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies and the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers Decoration. [7] [8]

Discontinuation

The Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal, along with the Volunteer Long Service Medal, the Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies, the Militia Long Service Medal, the Special Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and the Territorial Efficiency Medal, were superseded by the Efficiency Medal on 23 September 1930 in an effort to standardise recognition for part-time service across the Empire by the award of one medal. [4]

Related Research Articles

An overview of South African military decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volunteer Officers' Decoration</span> Award

The Volunteer Officers' Decoration, post-nominal letters VD, was instituted in 1892 as an award for long and meritorious service by officers of the United Kingdom's Volunteer Force. Award of the decoration was discontinued in the United Kingdom when it was superseded by the Territorial Decoration in 1908, but it continued to be awarded in some Crown Dependencies until 1930.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Efficiency Award</span>

The Air Efficiency Award, post-nominal letters AE for officers, was instituted in 1942. It could be awarded after ten years of meritorious service to officers, airmen and airwomen in the Auxiliary and Volunteer Air Forces of the United Kingdom and the Territorial Air Forces and Air Force Reserves of the Dominions, the Indian Empire, Burma, the Colonies and Protectorates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve</span> Award

The Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, post-nominal letters VD until c. 1947 and VRD thereafter, was instituted in 1908. It could be awarded to part-time commissioned officers in the United Kingdom's Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve after twenty years of service as efficient and thoroughly capable officers. The decoration was a Naval version of the Volunteer Officers' Decoration and its successor, the Territorial Decoration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Efficiency Medal</span> Award

The Efficiency Medal was instituted in 1930 for award to part-time warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men after twelve years of efficient service on the active list of the Militia or the Territorial Army of the United Kingdom, or of the other Auxiliary Military Forces throughout the British Empire. At the same time a clasp was instituted for award to holders of the medal upon completion of further periods of six years of efficient service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Efficiency Decoration</span> Award

The Efficiency Decoration, post-nominal letters TD for recipients serving in the Territorial Army of the United Kingdom or ED for those serving in the Auxiliary Military Forces, was instituted in 1930 for award to part-time officers after twenty years of service as an efficient and thoroughly capable officer. The decoration superseded the Volunteer Officers' Decoration, the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration and the Territorial Decoration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Efficiency Decoration (South Africa)</span> Award

The Efficiency Decoration , post-nominal letters ED, was instituted in 1930 for award to efficient and thoroughly capable part-time officers in the Citizen Force of the Union of South Africa after twenty years of service. The decoration superseded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Efficiency Medal (South Africa)</span> Award

The Efficiency Medal was instituted in 1930 for award to part-time warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men after twelve years of efficient service on the active list of the Citizen Force of the Union of South Africa. At the same time, a clasp was instituted for award to holders of the medal upon completion of further periods of six years of efficient service. The medal superseded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration</span> Award

The Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration, post-nominal letters VD, was established in 1899 as recognition for long and meritorious service as a part-time commissioned officer in any of the organized military forces of the British Colonies, Dependencies and Protectorates. It superseded the Volunteer Officers' Decoration for India and the Colonies in all these territories, but not in the Indian Empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal</span> British Empire naval volunteer medal for part time ratings

The Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, initially designated the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service Medal, was instituted in 1908. It could be awarded to part-time ratings in the United Kingdom's Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve after twelve years of service and good conduct. The medal was a Naval version of the Volunteer Long Service Medal and its successor, the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Medal</span> Award

The Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Medal is a long service and good conduct medal, instituted for award to other ranks of the Permanent Forces of the Dominions and Colonies of the British Empire. The medal, also known as the Permanent Overseas Forces Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, was established in 1910 as a single common award to supersede the several local versions of the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal which were being awarded by the various territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volunteer Long Service Medal</span> Award

The Volunteer Long Service Medal was instituted in 1894 as an award for long service by other ranks and some officers of the United Kingdom's Volunteer Force. Award of the medal was discontinued when it was superseded by the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal in 1908.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (South Africa)</span> Award

The Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct is a distinctive South African version of the British Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (Military). It was awarded to members of the Permanent Force of the Union of South Africa who had completed eighteen years of reckonable service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Distinguished Conduct Medal (Natal)</span> Military decoration for bravery in Natal

In 1895, Queen Victoria authorised Colonial governments to adopt various British military decorations and medals and to award them to their local military forces. The Colony of Natal introduced this system in August 1895 and, in 1897, instituted the Distinguished Conduct Medal (Natal), post-nominal letters DCM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Cape of Good Hope)</span> Award

In May 1895, Queen Victoria authorised Colonial governments to adopt various British military medals and to award them to their local military forces. The Cape of Good Hope introduced this system in September 1895 and, in 1896, instituted the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal .

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Natal)</span> British Colonial Army medal

In May 1895, Queen Victoria authorised Colonial governments to adopt various British military medals and to award them to their local military forces. The Colony of Natal introduced this system in August 1895 and, in 1897, instituted the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Natal).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meritorious Service Medal (Cape of Good Hope)</span> Award

In May 1895, Queen Victoria authorised Colonial governments to adopt various British military medals and to award them to members of their local permanent military forces. The Cape of Good Hope introduced this system in September 1895 and, in 1896, instituted the Meritorious Service Medal .

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meritorious Service Medal (Natal)</span> Award

In May 1895, Queen Victoria authorised Colonial governments to adopt various British military medals and to award them to members of their local permanent military forces. The Colony of Natal introduced this system in August 1895 and, in 1897, instituted the Meritorious Service Medal (Natal).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volunteer Officers' Decoration for India and the Colonies</span> UK long service medal for volunteer officers

The Volunteer Officers' Decoration was instituted in 1892 as an award for long and meritorious service by officers of the United Kingdom's Volunteer Force. In 1894, the grant of the decoration was extended to commissioned officers of Volunteer Forces throughout the British Empire. A separate new decoration was instituted, the Volunteer Officers' Decoration for India and the Colonies, post-nominal letters VD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies</span> UK volunteer long service medal

The Volunteer Long Service Medal was instituted in 1894 as an award for long service by other ranks and some officers of the United Kingdom's Volunteer Force. In 1896, the grant of the medal was extended to other ranks and officers who had served in the ranks of the Volunteer Forces throughout the British Empire. A separate new medal was instituted, the Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies. Awarding of this medal was discontinued in stages when it was superseded in most territories by the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal in 1899 and in the remainder by the Efficiency Medal in 1930.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "No. 27085". The London Gazette . 2 June 1899. p. 3517.
  2. 1 2 South African Medal Website – Colonial Military Forces (Accessed 6 May 2015)
  3. "Volunteer Force Long Service Medal (Colonies), King George V issue, 1911–1930, miniature". Medal-Medaille. 6 February 2006. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  4. 1 2 "No. 33653". The London Gazette . 17 October 1930. p. 6311.
  5. Mayo, John Horsley (1897). Medals and Decorations of the British Army and Navy, Vol. II, 1897 (No. 224. Volunteer Long Service, 1894.). London: A. Constable. p. 495.
  6. Mayo, John Horsley (1897). Medals and Decorations of the British Army and Navy, Vol. II, 1897 (No. 225. Volunteer Long Service Medal for Indian and Colonial Forces, 1896.). London: A. Constable. p. 499.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Birkenhead Returned Services Association - Military Medals - The Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal Archived 5 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine (Accessed 6 July 2015)
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Veterans Affairs Canada - Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal (Accessed 6 July 2015)
  9. 1 2 3 "No. 32792". The London Gazette . 2 February 1923. p. 801.
  10. 1 2 "No. 56878". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 March 2003. p. 3353.
  11. Government Notice no. 1982 of 1 October 1954 - Order of Precedence of Orders, Decorations and Medals, published in the Government Gazette of 1 October 1954.
  12. Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005, OCLC   72827981
  13. 1 2 3 Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company - Defence Honours and Awards - Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal (Accessed 5 July 2015)
  14. 1 2 Museum Victoria - Medal - Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal, King Edward VII, Australia, 1902-1910 (Accessed 6 July 2015)