SWA Territorial Force Merit Medal for Civilians / SWA Gebiedsmag Meriete Medalje vir Burgerlikes - Official, semi-Official or Private medal ??

[Marcon1]

Hi,

Can anyone tell me more about this medal ?

The first picture is from an older thread.

I have tried googling it but can not find any more info.

It's not in the listing of SWA medals.

[peter monahan]

Translating the Afrikaans only gets me this: 

SWA Area Command - Commanding General

SWA Area Command Merit Medal for Civilians

But possibly because it is a civilian award its not listed in the books on SA military awards.

There are a couple of SA researchers on the GMIC.  Perhaps one of them can help here.

 

Peter

[Marcon1]

Hi Peter,

If this was a civilian award than why does a Commanding General (thus military) award it ??

Even if this medal was awarded to civilians working for the military it would still make it a military award !

SWATF were South African troops helping SWA police in their fight against SWAPO.

Edited March 11, 2020 by Marcon1

[peter monahan]

Marcon

I phrased that badly.  You are correct: a medal awarded to civilians - which is what this is named as - would still technically count as a military award.  I simply had the stray thought that some list compilers would turn up their noses at such an award and not list it.  But perhaps that's fuzzy thinking.  It is indeed a puzzle.

Still searching and I did find a long list of medals and awards by some of the 'stans' which existed under apartheid.  You can find the listy here and look through it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Merit_Medal_(South_Africa)

 

Edited March 14, 2020 by peter monahan

[archie777]

Macron1,

 

Only saw your post now.

 

Your name is correct, however the ribbon is incorrect like the one in my collrction

[archie777]

Here we have a picture of Matthew Kalkwarf with the correct ribbon

[archie777]

Marco,

 

Also pictures of Matthew Kalkwarf

 

Here we have a colour picture of the Art Card

[archie777]

Marco & Megan,

 

Two further medals were designed for SWATF

 

Samples of both were made and pictures was taken by Matthew Kalkwarf

 

Money playled as main factor and it was decided that as the SWATF was demobilising, there was no need for this sort of "extra expenditure"

 

All information from Matthew Kalkwarf

 

Here we have the following award

Pro Nitendo Medal (Latin for the Effort/Shine)

 

Would have been awarded to all those SWATF members who had actively fought in a contact/front line engagement directly with the enemy (with documented proof)

[archie777]

Marco & Megan,

 

Here is the second design

 

Independence Medal

 

Would have been issued to all members who officially served with SWATF

 

Information and picture, from Matthew Kalkwarf

[archie777]

Here we have the Art Card for the SWATF Shooting Medal

 

It was approved, but never manufactured

[archie777]

SWATF Sports Award

[Marcon1]

Hiya,

 

Here are some better pictures.

SWA PRO NITENDO MEDAL -NEVER ISSUED.

 

PROPOSED SWA INDEPENDENCE MEDAL-NEVER ISSUED.

 

SWA SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR-BRONZE MEDALLION-LARGE-MEASURES 60 MM.

 

Regards, Marcon1.

[Megan]

Nice... but what to do with medals that never got awarded? Are they worth including? Or only as a sort of curious footnote?

[Marcon1]

Hi Megan,

 

If they are not awarded but are produced, than include them in your listing so that people know what is what.

Just state that they were never awarded, I'm sure there are many others (especially the more 'higher' ODM's) that never got awarded.

See 2 examples below.

The Queen Elizabeth II version was introduced after her succession to the throne in 1952 and has her effigy, facing right and wearing the Tudor Crown. It is circumscribed "ELIZABETH II D:G: BR: OMN: REGINA F: D:" reading around from the top. It is identical to the first Queen Elizabeth II obverse design of the British Efficiency Medal.

Scroll bar

The scroll bar on the Queen Elizabeth II version was English only, but this medal was never awarded since it was superseded within a few months of the Queen's succession to the throne.

 

Air Efficiency Award (1950-52)
A South African variant of a British medal, intended as an award for 10 years CF service in the SA Air Force. It was never awarded, probably because SAAF personnel were already eligible for the ED and Efficiency Medal.

Insignia: An oval silver medal depicting the head of King George VI (obverse) and the words "Air Efficiency Award - Toekenning vir Bekwaamheid (Lugmag)" (reverse), with the name of the country on the suspender.

 

So, you see there are more 'never awarded' medals out there and people should know about these just in case they come across one.

 

Regards, Marcon1.

Edited October 23 by Marcon1

[archie777]

Hi Marco,

 

Excellent pictures, thanks for sharing

 

Regards

Archie