South African Railways Police Awards

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Railways and Harbours Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (1934)

 

Instituted in 1934

 

Awarded to those members of the Railways Police who held non-commissioned rank and had rendered 18 years meritorious service.

 

The award is also a decoration, a bar being granted with the medal in recognition of gallant conduct.

 

Instituted in terms of Government Notice 872, published in Government Gazette No. 2207, dated 29 June 1934.

 

The first award was only made 12 years later.

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Railways Police Good Service Medal (1960)

 

Instituted in 1960

 

Awarded to a policemen other, than a commissioned officer, under such conditions as may be decided by the General Manager from time to time.

 

It may be assumed that the terms for eliibility are identical to those of the Railways and Harbours Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (1934) award, for the saving of life, devotion to duty of 18 years service.

 

No mention about a bar.

 

Instituted in terms of Government Notice R1045, published in Government Gazette Extraordinary No. 6489 dated 15 July 1960.

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South African Railways Police Cross for Valour (IF) (1966)

 

Awarded to all members of the Railways Police who, on or after 1 January 1966, displayed conspicuous and exceptional gallantry in the line of duty, or in protecting or saving life or property.

 

The original badge (1966-80) was a white-enamelled gold Maltese cross, displaying the South African heraldic lion on a platinum roundel, and superimposed on a 4-pointed star on a gold circlet resembling a locomotive wheel. It is worn on a neck ribbon.

 

Instituted by Warrant of 13 July 1966 published in Government Gazette No. 1507, dated 5 August 1966.

 

Not my pictures.

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Decoration for Outstanding Service in the South African Railways Police Force (SMO) (1966-1986)

 

Originally (1966-80) called the "Decoration for Distinguished Service in the SARPF".

Awarded for (i) particular gallantry in the line of duty or in protecting or saving life or property, or (ii) distinguished service.

 

A 5-pointed gilded silver star with a central design of a hand holding two thunderbolts on a green roundel, superimposed on a 5-pointed multi-rayed star on a circlet resembling a locomotive wheel (obverse); the reverse displays the national arms and "Distinguished Service - Voortreflike Diens" (until 1980)

 

The reverse of the 1966 - 1980 award's wording reads "Distinguished Service - Voortreflike Diens", but it changed in 1980 to "Outstanding Service - Uitmuntende Diens"

 

The obverse stays the same only the wording on tge reverse changed. 

 

The picture shows the 1980 version.

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Star for Merit in the South African Railways Police Force (1966-1986)

 

Instituted in 1966.

 

Awarded for (i) particularly meritorious or exemplary service, or personal heroism, or (ii) 30 years irreproachable and exemplary service. By and large, it was a long service medal.

The original badge (1966-80) was a 5-pointed silver star with a central design of two hands shielding a flame, superimposed on circular medal with a radiated surface encircled by what appears to be a locomotive wheel (obverse); the reverse depicts the SARPF badge and "Verdienste - Merit".

 

Warrant of 13 July 1966, published in Government Gazette No. 1507, dated 13 July 1966.

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Medal for Faithful Service in the South African Railways Police Force  - 1st Type (1966-1980)

 

Instituted in 1966.

For 18 years irreproachable and exemplary service (or 15 years service for someone who had already received the Railways Police Good Service Medal.

 

A circular bronze medal displaying an ox-wagon on a red roundel againbst a radiated background enclosed in a circlet resembling a locomotive wheel (obverse), and the SARPF badge with "Troue Diens - Faithful Service" (reverse).

 

Warrant of 13 July 1966, published in Government Gazette No. 1507, dated 5 August 1966

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South African Railways Police Cross for Valour (IF) (1980-1986)

 

instituted in 1980

For conspicuous and exceptional gallantry in the line of duty, or in protecting or saving life or property.

 

The decoration (1980-86) was a white-enamelled gold double Maltese cross, displaying a sprig of oak with three acorns on a black roundel (obverse), and the national coat of arms and "Valour -Dapperheid" (reverse). It too has a neck ribbon.

 

Warrant of 28 April 1980, published in Government Gazette No. 7002, dated 16 May 1980.

 

The ribbon on the colour pictures is wrong. Its the 1980 award with the 1966 ribbon.

 

The ribbon was gold in colour as per the first picture.

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South African Railways Police Star for Distinguished Leadership (SEE) (1980-1986)

 

Awarded to general officers, for distinguished leadership, meritorious service to national security, or outstanding service to dynasties, heads of state or government.

 

An 8-pointed silver star superimposed on a larger gold star, which is juxtaposed with another silver star. It is worn on a neck ribbon, and there is also a gold collar for ceremonial occasions. The breast star has four multi-rayed points, and displays a sprig of oak with three acorns on a white roundel.

 

Warrant of 28 April 1980, published in Government Gazette No. 7002, dated 16 May 1980

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South African Railways Police Star  for Distinguished Devotion (SDE) (1980-1986)

 

Instituted in 1980.

 

Awarded to general officers, for meritorious service which promoted SARPF efficiency or actively contributed to national security.

 

An 8-pointed silver star with a smaller gold star in the centre (obverse). It is worn on a neck ribbon, or on a silver ceremonial chain.

 

Warrant of 28 April 1980, published in Government Gazette No. 7002, dated 16 May 1980

 

I will post a picture of the reverse of the star tomorrow. This is part of my collection.

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Star for Merit in the South African Railways Police (1980 - 1986)  

 

Instituted in 1980.

 

Awarded for (i) particularly meritorious or exemplary service, or personal heroism, or (ii) 30 years irreproachable and exemplary service. By and large, it was a long service medal.

The medal (1980-86) was a gilt octagon, bordered with oak leaves, displaying an 8-pointed star with a central design of two hands shielding a flame (obverse) and the SARPF badge with "Verdienste - Merit" (reverse).

Warrant of 28 April 1980, published in Government Gazette No. 7002, dated 16 May 1980

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Star for Merit in the South African Railways Police Star for Faithful Service (1980-1986)

 

Instituted in 1980.

 

Awarded after 20 years irreproachable and exemplary service. A clasp was added after 40 years service.

 

The medal was a silver octagon, bordered with oak leaves, displaying an 8-pointed star with a central design of two hands shielding a flame (obverse) and the SARPF badge with the words "Troue Diens - Faithful Service" on the reverse.

 

Warrant of 28 April 1980, published in Government Gazette No. 7002, dated 16 May 1980

[Megan]

GRRR, I have to work tomorrow!!! Thank you, Archie. Tucked away for later when the Marking Monster is slain and there's time to play with medals!

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South African Railways Police Medal for Faithful Service (1980-1986)

 

Instituted in 1980.

Awarded after 10 years irreproachable and exemplary service.

 

An octagonal bronze medal, displaying the South African coat of arms within a border of oak leaves (obverse), and the SARPF badge with "Faithful Service - Troue Diens" (reverse).

 

Warrant of 28 April 1980, published in Government Gazette No. 7002, dated 16 May 1980.

 

During manufacturing of 1 order, there was an error, where they struck the reverse of the Medal for Combating Terrorism on the reverse of the Medal for Faithful Service.

 

Attached is the correct medal and the error.

 

Nobody notice the error, until a recipient report the error.

 

Both are part of my collection.

Hi Megan,

 

You're welcome and I'm glad if I can help you.

 

I will cover the SWA Police and Prisons Services tomorrow and will also cover the complete Rhodesian awards soon.

 

If you need anything else, please let me know.

 

Regards

Archie

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South African Railways Police Medal for Combating Terrorism (1980-1986)

 

Instituted in 1980.

A campaign medal for service in preventing and combating terrorism after 26 August 1966, by (i) being in combat with terrorists, or (ii) being injured through terrorist activities, or (iii) completing 60 days (originally 6 months) counter-insurgency duty in a designated area.

 

A circular bronze medal displaying an upright sword between two sprays of laurel (obverse), and the SARPF badge with "Bekamping van Terrorisme - Combating Terrorism" (reverse).

Warrant of 28 April 1980, published in Government Gazette No. 7002, dated 16 May 1980.

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Medal set of a former SA Railways Police Brigadier

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Pictures of the reverse of the South African Railways Police Star for Distinguished Devotion (SDE) (1980-1986)

[Megan]

Hmmm... the South African Railways Police Star for Faithful Service appears to have the inscription MERIT VERDIENST on the reverse rather than the FAITHFUL SERVICE TROUE DIENS that Archie describes (and which Monick also gives for this award).

 

Am I going nuts? The South African Railway Police Star for Merit ought to have that reverse inscription, but of course a different ribbon... and it's gilt rather than silver.

[Marcon1]

Hi Megan,

 

You may have stumbled onto an enigma.

I've looked at the pictures in my info files and spend about an hour on the internet looking for this medal with FAITHFUL SERVICE TROUE DIENS on the back.

No such luck, all had VERDIENSTE MERIT on it !!

So either they are as rare as hens teeth, or the information is wrong and they are all VERDIENSTE MERIT as can be seen in the picture above posted by Archie on may 19.

The only difference is the metal - gilt and silver.

 

Marcon1.