South African medals

[Noor]

Hi all,

 

I spotted these SA medals in Dublin and I would like to ask few questions - how much they would be worth (or is the medal yearbook accurate regards SA prices). Also are these researchable and if so, are they worth to pick up?

 

Any help would be great.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Timo

 

 

[Mervyn Mitton]

Hi Timo.   The first medal is the South African Pro Patria medal  -  a general service issue, most South Africans in the Border wars against Angola received one.  There was only one extra bar  -  CUNENE  -  which does add to the value.   The third one along with the Leopard is for anti-terrorism operations  -  usually Police.  This indicates the bar is Police.   I will look the other two up and let you know.

 

This period for SA is specialised and prices are probably not high.  They are hard to sell overseas so, you must make a decision.

Best wishes   Mervyn

[peter monahan]

Can't say the combination of ribbon colours is quite my cup of tea, but the medals themselves are quite attractive.  What sort of service - Army then Police? - would a man need to qualify for the four together?

[gavinmedals]

Hi, in looking at the group it is defence force, i.e army, air force or perhaps navy, although the latter is less likely. I do no believe the group is related to the SA Police based on the medals. The group you are looking at consists of from left to right the following: Pro Patria medal, General Service medal, Southern Africa medal, SADF good service medal for 10 years. The conditions of award are reflected in the relevant section of the Medal Yearbook. The combination would suggest service in a defined operational area, and certainly operations acrooss the border. Research opportunties are very limited, if not impossible currently unless there is some provenance such as award certificates, as the medals were not officialy named but numbered. The provenance would also be essential to confirm if it is in fact a group. While the combination is certainly possible it could just as easily have been put together. In saying that i do not want to underestimate what the medals represent, which is a war which in some respects the intensity and scope was not always clear on the international stage.

[NPGilbert]

Hi, in looking at the group it is defence force........ The group you are looking at consists of from left to right the following: Pro Patria medal, General Service medal, Southern Africa medal, SADF good service medal for 10 years.......

 

Gavin is 100% correct in his identification.  The first three medals from the left side are the campaign medals available for award after 1975 in the SADF.  The fourth medal from left is the 10 years good service medal.  The green and bronze color ribbon was in use from 1986 onwards.

 

To attribute the medals to a specific soldier is very difficult as Gavin points out especially the campaign and good service medals.

 

Regards

Norman

[vlad]

Timo, pls drop me a mail to cinemanews@mail.ru i hhave a subject to discuss

 

Thanks, Vlad