Awards/Citations:
Commanders Commendation :
First awarded 8th December 1978 and by 2nd June 1980, 73 awards have been made. A master register [ in possession of Mr.Craig Fourie ] records these commendations in detail. A fair number of commendations resulted from unsolicited submissions from the Civil Sector.
On receipt of the commander’s commendation, a badge was issued to the recipient and was worn on the right breast. The badge was oblong, made out of brass plate, with the Guard Force colours of two brown stripes with a red stripe in between running horizontally. The Guard Force badge is stamped onto the centre of the badge, The certificate is printed onto white bond paper with red edging, wording is in black and the Guard Force badge in gold. This badge is not to be confused with the Successful Contact Badge.
Successful Contact Badge :
This badge was awarded to members who had been in a successful contact in the operational areas that resulted in enemy kills, or for a specifically enemy kill. This badge is made out of brass, oblong in shape, with the Guard Force colours painted on and a Roman sword stamped onto the centre of the badge. Both the sword and colours run horizontally. This badge when awarded, is worn on the right breast of the uniform. (a picture of this badge is depicted at the end of this article)
The following list of names of Guard Force soldiers who have been awarded the COMMANDER COMMENDATION and / or the SUCCESSFUL COMBAT BADGE has been provided by the Military Historian and Collector Mr. Craig Fourie.
The extract from a paper kept in the British Commonwealth Museum in England describes the following Guard Force awards :
· Commanders Commendation
· Successful Contact Badge
A copy of the paper was made available by the Historian / Collector Mr. Craig Fourie .
The following list of names of Guard Force soldiers who have been awarded the COMMANDER COMMENDATION and / or the SUCCESSFUL COMBAT BADGE has been provided by the Military Historian and Collector Mr. Craig Fourie.
The data is based on the content of the CITATION FOLDER in possession of Mr. Craig Fourie and the information is currently incomplete.
Commander’s Commendation :
118614 Sgt Ahrens JH GFRD / Chikurubi / Signals Squadron
009799A Guard Alfeyo S Group 7 / Mudzi / Shinga
008251S Guard Alikajelo V Mrewa / Mtoko
020202V Comdt Atkinson RH 3 BN / Delta Coy
A/Comdt Axworthy M Area HQ F / Mtoko
054534A Guard Bobo T Regional HQ C / Fort Victoria
082057R Comdt Campbell DM 3 BN / Foxtrot Coy
089293G Guard Chade AT 3 BN / Delta Coy
079858B Sgt Chagiya AT Regional HQ A / Bindura
091586Z Sgt Chakauya S Regional HQ A / Bindura
092740D Guard Chamanga R Regional HQ C / Fort Victoria
094295T Sgt Chamunorwa G Group 4 / Honde
095609X Guard Changa S Regional HQ D / Khami [ Bulawayo ]
106123A Guard Chidwawaya T Regional HQ C / Fort Victoria
125508W Guard Chiriseri G Regional HQ D / Khami [ Bulawayo ]
163490F Guard Dandawa J Regional HQ C / Fort Victoria
103884B Sgt De Beer ZT Regional HQ A / Bindura / Shamva
183373S Guard Dingizulu E Mrewa / Mtoko
200456L Guard Durura Humani Ranch
237893D Cpl Fosi F 3 BN / Delta Coy
074092T Sgt Fox RH Group 7 / Mudzi / Shinga
251754V Guard Gariba N Area/Regional HQ M / Marandellas
251756X Guard Gariba O Area/Regional HQ M / Marandellas
265859B J/Cpl Gombe L
289120K Guard Hamandawana GD Area/Regional HQ M / Marandellas
295018W Guard Harrison M Area/Regional HQ M / Marandellas
300758K Guard Hazvizikani M Area HQ D-3 / Gwanda
351347Z Guard Jakonya L Area/Regional HQ M / Marandellas
335131H Guard Jarada C Group 3 / Chiredzi
365735M J/Cpl Kalinganiza K Regional HQ C / Fort Victoria
369635B A/Sgt Kanongovere R Group 4 / Honde / A-Coy
387823W Guard Kindone E Regional HQ C / Fort Victoria
070501 KC Lyons S Regional HQ C / Fort Victoria
457542C Guard Magigwana S Regional HQ A / Bindura
474077A A/Sgt Mamberi T Regional HQ A / Bindura
511985E Guard Matariro R Regional HQ C / Fort Victoria
513842Y Guard Mathe Humani Ranch
519358T Sgt Maurer KR Group 4 / Honde / Mutasa
562316M Guard Mose K Regional HQ C / Mashaba
583269M Guard Muchemwa M Regional HQ C / Mashaba
584337Y Guard Muchinapaya L Regional HQ C / Fort Victoria
585716X Sgt Mudau R 3 BN / Delta Coy
601314B Guard Munganga C Area/Regional HQ M /Marandellas
602197L Guard Munhuwani L Regional HQ E / Gwelo
605111D Guard Munyonga C Regional HQ C / Fort Victoria
490724V Guard Mupuma V Area HQ B-3 / Chipinga
608345T Guard Marambiwa Area HQ B-3 / Chipinga
624602P Guard Mutimuri EF Area HQ B-3 / Chipinga
624678X Cpl Mutimvi M
639635J Cpl Natali S Area/Regional HQ M /Marandellas
686889S Guard Nazvigo AT Group 1 / Madziwa [ Bindura ]
126423Q KC Neves JA Regional HQ A / Bindura
665029G Guard Ngwere G Group 6 / Mtoko
670394N Sgt Njonjo J Group 4 / Honde / Keep No. 3
676600J Guard Ntiwa W Regional HQ C / Fort Victoria
681415S J/Cpl Nyamayevu J
694212C Guard Owymo L Group 7 / Mudzi / Shinga
698896T Guard Pambura AT Regional HQ D / Khami [Bulawayo]
713321Y Guard Perei AT Regional HQ B / Umtali
741474Z Guard Rasawa B Regional HQ E / Gwelo
770174V Guard Ruzvidzo N Group 8 / Beitbridge
777856V Guard Sanangurayi W Area/Regional HQ M / Marandellas
800145X Guard Siamanga Area HQ C-2 / Nuanetsi
813424 A/Sgt Singano M GFRD / Chikurubi
853562J Guard Takawira AT 3 BN / Delta Coy
855958N Guard Tamboneyi J Regional HQ E / Gwelo
870033M Guard Tazvinza J Group 8 / Beitbridge
881425V Cpl Ticharwa N Area/Regional HQ M / Marandellas
883206 Guard Tima E Group 8 / Beitbridge
897889Q Guard Tsikira P Mrewa / Mtoko
901306E Guard Tuta M Group 8 / Beitbridge
947414X WO2 Wilson KA GFRD / Chikurubi
960087X J/Cpl Zava M Group 8 / Beitbridge
966034L Sgt Ziwire K Area/Regional HQ M / Marandellas
966490G WO Zondiwe P Group 8 / Beitbridge
The following soldiers of the above list were additionally awarded the Successful Combat Badge [ SCB ] :
Guard Alfeyo S
Guard Durura
Sgt Fox RH
Guard Hazvizikani M
Guard Mathe
Guard Munyonga C
Cpl Mutimwi M
J/Cpl Nyamayevu J
Guard Owyimo L
Guard Pereti AT
Guard Siamanga
WO Zondiwe P
RHODESIAN GUARD FORCE - AWARDS
There are two awards, Guard Force specific :
· Commander’s Commendation : Awarded by the Commander Guard Force as acknowledgment for distinguished service and devotion to duty.
· Successful Contact Badge : Awarded by the Commander Guard Force to soldiers of the Rhodesian Guard Force who have been involved in a contact resulting in the death of CTs.
The following data is an extract of :
Force Orders by Commander W.A. Godwin OLM, DMM, OBE
Nos 18-22, Serial No 9, dated 25 April 1979
A copy of this Force Orders was preserved and handed over by Sgt J Winkler in 2015.
SUCCESSFUL CONTACT BADGE :
The following list spells out Force number, Rank, Name, Date and place of Contact.
Kaunye / Mtoko / OP Hurricane - 02 Nov 1978
161243N Guard Dabis A.
479553C Guard Mangena N.
585331D Guard Mudadi J.
646059M Guard Ndali K .
791431R Guard Shamu B.
889892Y Guard Thomas T.
963089K A/Cpl Zipesho J.
Kawazwa / Mtoko / OP Hurricane - 24 Oct 1978
223189T Guard Pani I.
243783F Guard Friday L.
376938P Guard Kaurayi S.
475855H Guard Mande M.
601780L A/J/Cpl Mungoza P.
628627P A/J/Cpl Muviringi S.
764026M Guard Rozwa G.
Nyamazuwe / Mtoko / OP Hurricane - 16 Feb 1979
278271S Guard Guduburo C.
325823E Guard Hwata F.
383937Z Guard Kenneth C.
366083P Guard Kanakembizi W.
599093K Guard Mumba J.
605320F Guard Munyuki J.
637928Z Guard Naison I.
684866T Guard Nyathi C.
776098J Guard Samson F.
870064W Guard Tasvivingira S.
915395T Guard Veru P.
Uzumba / Mtoko / Mrewa / OP Hurricane - 09 Mar 1979
181231P J/Cpl Diba I.
161243N Guard Dabis A.
181380B Guard Dibiya M.
185279P A/Cpl Dlulumuteto B.
201423H A/J/Cpl Dzafunwa B.
359848N Guard Josiah E.
378365Q Guard Kayomgo OL.
425882P A/Cpl Lucas M.
463278M Guard Majoni C.
467922K Guard Makoni C.
538210K J/Cpl Mhindwa WS.
540806G Guard Mhuru L.
585331P Guard Mudadi J.
607567Y Cpl Mupuwa K.
611456A Guard Muronzi R.
678895D Guard Nyahuma P.
688819D A/Cpl Nyoni G.
805236P Cpl Sibanda T.
817402E Guard Soweto B.
853974G Guard Takawira T.
860064D Guard Tasvivingira S.
966951H Guard Zulu P.
Mtoko / OP Hurricane - 11 Jan 1979
120004N Cpl Perkins S.
Mtoko / OP Hurricane - 06 Feb 1979
869586B Jnr/Comdt Taylor P.
Mtoko / OP Hurricane - 16 Feb 1979 - 09 Mar 1979
234331C Comdt Flanagan D.
Mtoko / OP Hurricane - 22 Feb 1979
124041X Jnr/Comdt II Van der Walt C.P.
Mtoko / OP Hurricane - 09 Mar 1979
738907J Asst Comdt Ralston B.
154217B Sgt Cranston D.J.
121779S Sgt Childs J.
124526D Cpl Van Wyk J.
121926C Cpl Corke D.S.
Mtoko / OP Hurricane - 16 Mar 1979
751113B Jnr Comdt II Rigby S.A.C.
Mtoko / OP Hurricane - 22 Mar 1979
235779F Asst Comdt Fogarty G.
Mtoko / OP Hurricane - 28 Mar 1979
147939C Sgt Dutoit Cook J
.
Mtoko / OP Hurricane - 29 Mar 1979
197343C Sgt Dubus J.
Mtoko / OP Hurricane - 31 Mar 1979
948920W Sgt Winkler J.
Mtoko / OP Hurricane - 05 Apr 1979
119256A Cpl Bryer S.
The above mentioned Successful Contact Badges were awarded during the transition period of Guard Force when we changed from being responsible for the protection of Protected Villages to the more offensive COIN Infantry role. The unit involved was GP 6 MTOKO under Comdt D Flanagan [ Australian] .
At this stage we don’t have a complete list of all SCBs awarded to our soldiers.
An example of the SCB badge is shown below (from the collection of the late John Radford, ex Asst Cmmdt, Rhodesian Guard Force.
Namelist of members of the Rhodesian Guard Force who were awarded Honours or Awards by the President of Rhodesia . The list does not include members, who , while serving with other elements of the Rhodesian Security Forces , received Honours or Awards before the 01 February 1976, the date when Guard Force was officially gazetted as an autonomous Force under the Ministry of Defence .
The namelist is extracted from the book “ David Saffery, Rhodesia Medal Roll - Honours and Decorations of the Rhodesian Conflict 1970 – 1981 “, published by Jeppestown Press, London 2006.
Inevitably this list may contain errors and any corrections will be appreciated.
Officer of the Legion of Merit [ O.L.M. ]
For distinguished service to Rhodesia.
11 November 1978
Brigadier W.A . Godwin
The Member of the Legion of Merit [ M.L.M. ]
For distinguished service to Rhodesia.
15 September 1978
Comdt R. Hallack
13 April 1979
Comdt J.D. Flannagan
07 December 1979
861137S Snr Comdt R.O.Tarr
The Bronze Cross of Rhodesia [ B.C.R. ]
For gallantry.
09 June 1978
KC T.H.E. Henwood
13 April 1979
KC S.A.C. Rigby
30 November 1979
791548C Guard T. Shamu
The Meritorious Conduct Medal [ M.C.M. ]
For brave and gallant conduct in a non-combatant capacity.
09 March 1979
315708K J/Cpl R. Hombasha
30 November 1979
004308G KC T.G. Johnson
950389B KC O. Mugany
07 December 1979
780004E Guard K.L. Santi
The Defence Force Medal for Meritorious Service [ D.M.M. ]
For meritorious service.
11 November 1978
Snr Comdt C.P. Craig
Snr Comdt V.T. Bratton
Comdt R. Coleman
Comdt N.D. Langdale
Comdt K. Williams
13 April 1979
Snr Comdt H.J. McKenzie-Fraser
07 December 1979
321670X Snr Comdt J.H.B. Hughes
5107152 Asst Comdt S. Matambo
558185X Asst Comdt I.J.J. Moore
667776 Comdt C.R. Nicholls
The Military Forces’ Commendation
For an act of bravery, distinguished service or continuous devotion to duty.
Operational
09 June 1978
Cpl N. Chidizingwa
A/Cpl E.R. Matashu
11 November 1978
Jnr Comdt L.W. Sowden
13 April 1979
KC S.C. O’Brien
Sgt B.N. Ralston
A/J/Cpl T. Mujere
25 May 1979
Comdt B.G. Abrahams [ RO ]
07 December 1979
A/Snr Comdt H. Schobesberger
Non – Operational
11 November 1977
Asst Comdt L.O.W. Nelmes
13 April 1979
Asst Comdt E.C. Wilde
WO1 A. Jubane
07 December 1979
630659Y S/Sgt G. Muzara
867433L Sgt M. Tavengwa
060004P Comdt C.H. Bower
Rhodesia General Service Medal [R.G.S.M. ]
Awarded for service on operations undertaken for the purpose of combating terrorist
or enemy incursions into Rhodesia.
Recipients had to qualify for one or more of the following to be eligible :
· After completion of initial training, have served in the Security Forces or in any other military force for periods amounting in the aggregate to at least 91 days; OR
· Have completed an aggregate of 14 days’ operational service in the Security Forces or any other military force OR
· were engaged in active combat or was in close contact with terrorists or the enemy.
Awards were not gazetted and no full roll of recipients has ever been published.
It can be assumed that the majority of Guard Force soldiers were eligible to receive this award.
The official Commendations listed below have been kindly provided by Craig Fourie.
