A number of new Sierra Leonean medals were instituted in the decade from 1961, when the country gained independence, until 1971, when Sierra Leone was declared a republic.
On 27 April 1961, Sierra Leone, until then a British colony, became an independent Dominion within the Commonwealth, retaining Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State, with the title Queen of Sierra Leone. [1] This status continued until 19 April 1971 when the country became a republic within the Commonwealth. [2]
In the decade after 1961, Sierra Leone instituted a number of new awards, including replacements for former colonial versions. In addition, the Prime Minister of Sierra Leone was able to recommend his country's citizens for appointment to British orders, including the Order of the British Empire. [3] The Sierra Leonean honours system changed again when the country became a republic in 1971, with existing awards replaced and, in 1972, the creation of two orders – the Order of the Republic and the Order of the Rokel. [2]
All the medals below were instituted by Royal Warrant and appear on the British Order of wear. [4] All were manufactured by the British Royal Mint. [5]
Established in 1961 on the occasion of the country's independence. The 32mm wide circular cupronickel medal bears the Queen's effigy and the inscription 'QUEEN ELIZABETH II' on the obverse. The reverse has the Coat of arms of Sierra Leone surrounded by the words 'SIERRA LEONE INDEPENDENCE. 27th APRIL 1961'. It was awarded to members of the Sierra Leone police and armed forces serving on 27 April 1961, including seconded British personnel. [6] 5,500 medals were supplied by the Royal Mint. [5]
Established in 1961. [7] The 32mm wide circular bronze medal bears the Queen's effigy and the inscription 'QUEEN ELIZABETH II' on the obverse. The reverse has the Coat of arms of Sierra Leone surrounded by the words 'FOR GENERAL SERVICE. SIERRA LEONE'. It was awarded with a ribbon clasp inscribed 'CONGO' to members of the Sierra Leone armed forces who served during the Congo Crisis of 1962–63. Seconded British forces qualified if they received no other medal for the same service. [8] 500 medals were supplied by the Royal Mint. [5]
Established in 1962, this medal replaced the Royal West African Frontier Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. It is a circular silver medal bearing the effigy of the Queen on the obverse with the inscription 'ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F.D'. The reverse is inscribed ''FOR LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT'' over four lines with the words ''ROYAL SIERRA LEONE MILITARY FORCES'' around the circumference. It was awarded to NCOs and men who had completed 16 years exemplary service, including service in the earlier Royal West African Frontier Force. 169 awards were made up to 1971. [9]
These medals, six in all, were direct replacements for the previous colonial-era awards. They generally carried over the previous rules and regulations, including the 18 years qualification period for the long service medals.
Although the relevant Royal Warrants were drafted on 20 August 1964, there were protracted negotiations between the Sierra Leonean government and the Royal Mint caused by discussion on the precise specification and design of the medals, and by the country's political situation which meant that the awards were a low priority. [5]
Eventually, in March 1970, supplies of the ribbons were delivered to the Sierra Leonean authorities. Later the same year, the first names of nominated recipients were submitted to the Royal Mint, and by early 1971 a total of 17 Police Meritorious Service Medals and 94 Police Long Service Medals, impressed on the edge with the recipient's details, had been sent and distributed. In addition, four ribbon clasps were supplied to reflect further police service. These were the only medals supplied. [5]
In April 1971 Sierra Leone became a republic and the awarding of these medals was discontinued, no awards having been made for the police gallantry medal, or for any of the fire service medals. [5]
There were three medal types: [5]
The medals' design showed the Queen's effigy and the inscription 'QUEEN ELIZABETH II' on the obverse. The reverse depicted the scales of justice above a vertical truncheon, with the words 'SIERRA LEONE POLICE FORCE' above, and 'FOR GALLANTRY, FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE' or 'FOR LONG SERVICE' below, as appropriate. [5]
There were three medal types: [5]
Although no Fire Brigade medals were finally awarded, the medals designs were approved. These showed the Queen's effigy and the inscription 'QUEEN ELIZABETH II' on the obverse. The reverse had a firefighter's helmet and axe superimposed on a laurel wreath, following the former colonial design. Inscribed around the edge are the words 'SIERRA LEONE FIRE BRIGADES' above, with either 'FOR GALLANTRY, FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE' or 'FOR LONG SERVICE' below, as appropriate. [5]
The Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) is a British medal awarded to sergeants and warrant officers of the British armed forces for long and meritorious service. From 1916 to 1928, eligibility was extended to cover both valuable services by selected other ranks irrespective of length of service, and for gallantry not in the face of the enemy.
The Overseas Territories Police Medal (OTPM), known as the Colonial Police Medal (CPM) until April 2012, is a medal awarded for gallantry or distinguished service to all ranks of police forces and organised fire brigades in British Overseas Territories, and formerly in Crown Colonies and British Dependent Territories. Police officers in these areas can also be awarded the higher ranking King's Police Medal. The CPM was first awarded in 1938.
The Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal is a decoration for police officers and police staff members of the United Kingdom. First instituted in 1951, the medal is presented for twenty aggregate years of service in the police services of the United Kingdom.
The Sierra Leone Independence Medal was authorised by Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of the granting of independence to Sierra Leone, to give recognition to individuals of the Royal Sierra Leone Military Forces, Sierra Leone Naval Volunteer Force and the Police Force who were serving on the 27 April 1961. Members of United Kingdom Land Forces seconded to the Royal Sierra Leone Military Forces also qualified.
The Ceylon Police Medal was awarded to police officers of the Ceylon Police Force, with two versions: for gallantry and for meritorious service. The number of medals for meritorious service was limited to a maximum of ten a year.
The Queen's Medal for Chiefs is an award of the British Empire. The medal was established in 1920, during the colonial period. The medal was granted to the chiefs within the numerous African, Asian, American and Pacific colonies and mandated territories that made up the then very extensive British Empire. The medal is no longer awarded.
The Royal West African Frontier Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was established in September 1903 to reward native African NCOs and men who had completed 18 years, later reduced to 16 years, exemplary service in the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF).
The Indian Police Medal (IPM) was an award of the British Raj presented to both European and Asian police personnel. Established in 1932, the award was presented for meritorious service and gallantry that was of a lesser degree than what was required for the King's Police Medal.
The Union of South Africa Queen's Medal for Bravery, Silver is the lesser of two classes of a South African civil decoration for acts of bravery that was in use from 1952 to 1961, while the country was still a constitutional monarchy in the British Commonwealth. The decoration was instituted by Queen Elizabeth II on 15 December 1952.
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.
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 (Cape of Good Hope).
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).
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 (Cape of Good Hope).
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).
In May 1895, Queen Victoria authorised Colonial governments to adopt various British military medals and to award them to their local permanent military forces. The Cape of Good Hope and Colony of Natal instituted their own territorial versions of the Meritorious Service Medal in terms of this authority. These two medals remained in use in the respective territories until after the establishment of the Union of South Africa in 1910.
The Jersey Honorary Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal is a decoration for members of the Honorary Police of the Bailiwick of Jersey. First instituted by Royal Warrant on 1 December 2014, it is an official award that can be worn alongside other British medals and decorations.
The Mauritius Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was awarded by the Dominion of Mauritius between 1968 and 1992 to members of the Mauritius Police who completed eighteen years service.
The Mauritius Fire Services Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was awarded between 1968 and 1992 by the Dominion of Mauritius to members of local fire services.
The Mauritius Prisons Service Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was awarded by the Dominion of Mauritius between 1968 and 1992 to staff of the Mauritius Prisons Service who completed eighteen years service.
The Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood has, at irregular intervals, notified for general information the positioning of the wearing of Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom in the London Gazette. The Order of Wear was last published in 2019.
