PRISON SERVICES OF RHODESIA

History, Uniforms, Medals & Insignia

Federal Prison Service Medals & Awards

Colonial Prison Service Medal  -    
CPrisSM    

Awarded to subordinate members of the Federal Prison Service

* Denotes award of medal and bar
** Denotes award of bar
*** Denotes award of 2nd bar

   

Silver.

Obverse: Effigy of Sovereign
Reverse: Phoenix; FOR LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT: COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE

Ribbon: 35mm, dark blue (8.5mm), green (18mm), dark blue (8.5mm) with green part bisected by 3.5mm silver stripe

Further award denoted by silver rose emblem when ribbons only worn

Reference: Rhod. Warrant 28 Oct 1955; Fed. Govt. Notice 278/1958

   

10 Apr 1959

215 Sgt. Wdr. Jaulani *
7 Sgt Wdr. Jeremiah *
1 Sgt. Wdr. Manumbayi *
2 Sgt. Wdr. Margweyi *
9 Sgt. Wdr. Mbangwa *
4 Sgt. Wdr. Mdala *
8 Wdr. Mvumbi *
6 Sgt. Wdr. Sigwanambala *
93 Sgt. Wdr. Tabengwa *
11 Cpl. Wdr. Tshigayo *
51 Sgt Wdr. Chilele
12 Cpl. Wdr. Chimi
1171 Head Wdr. Edward Mzondi
18 Cpl. Wdr. James
307 Sgt. Wdr. Machile
14 Sgt. Wdr. Mawila
47 Wdr. Mazambe
37 Sgt. Wdr. Mbayiwa
41 Sgt. Wdr. Mbayiwa
349 Sgt. Wdr. Mpandelisa
27 Sgt. Wdr. Mugwagwa
33 Cpl. Wdr. Muloyi
50 Sgt. Wdr. Munorgweyi
39 Sgt. Wdr. Mutero
28 Sgt. Wdr. Mwanza
338 Sgt. Wdr. Nawa Silata
43 Cpl. Wdr. Pamburayi
58 Sgt. Wdr. Sayeni
52 Wdr. Shomiwa
36 Sgt. Wdr. Simon
19 Sgt. Wdr. Walusimo
42 Cpl. Wdr. Zinyemba
2 Cpl. Wardress Annie Nyika
1 Cpl. Wardress Miriam Njapa (renumbered 4801)

24 Mar 1961

12 Sgt. Wdr. Chimi **
14 Sgt. Wdr. Mawila **
30 Lance Cpl. Wdr. Murombe
31 Cpl. Wdr. Jacobe
54 Sgt. Wdr. Marambi

 


59 Sgt. Wdr. Shayamano
62 Cpl. Wdr. Likomena
63 Sgt. Wdr. Chirukani
65 Cpl. Wdr. Munemo
67 Sgt. Wdr. Mwansunza (RPSM ’70)
71 Sgt. Wdr. Kangaba
73 Sgt. Wdr. Juma
74 Sgt. Wdr. Rameki
75 Cpl. Wdr. Kwangwari
76 Lance Cpl. Wdr. Fosibi
1704 Sgt. Maj. Wdr. Nawa Nyambe
70 ex-Sgt. Wdr. Noki

24 Aug 1962

18 Sgt. James **
19 Sgt. Maj. Walusimo 88 **
4801 Sgt. Wardress Miriam Niapa ** (RPSM ’70)
6 Sgt. Maj. Sigwanabela ***
7 Sgt. Maj. Jeremiah ***
8 Wdr. Mvumbi ***
9 Sgt. Maj. Mbungwa ***
35 Sgt. Matiza
38 Sgt. Petulo
40 Sgt. Rayiranyi
45 Sgt. Mchemwa
78 Lance Cpl. Mtigundi
79 Cpl. Joni
81 Cpl. Majoni
82 Sgt. Maj. Mondiwa
83 Lance Cpl. Juwao
87 Sgt. Wadewarewa
89 Sgt. Macaya
90 Sgt. Chibaro
92 Sgt. Kungai
94 Sgt. Jojo
95 Sgt. Mutero
97 Cpl. Murovi
98 Lance Cpl. Mapolisa
101 Cpl. Mdawambe
107 Lance Cpl. Chimapa
110 Sgt. Namo (RPSM ’70)
114 Cpl. Josiah

40 Sgt Rayiranyi
Colonial Prison Service Medal to 40 Sgt Rayiranyi - Thanks to T. Mann.


Rhodesia Prison Service Medals & Awards
(Medal photographs from the book Contact – Numbers refer to the reference numbers used in Contact)

7. The Independence Commemorative Decoration (I.C.D.) (1970)   12. Officer of the Legion of Merit (O.L.M.) (1973)
ICD   OLM
Awarded to persons who rendered valuable service up to 2 March 1970.   Membership conferred for outstanding or distinguished service in any field.

Obverse: Armorial bearings (shield);
COMMEMORATION OF INDEPENDENCE RHODESIA.
Reverse: Plain.

Ribbon: 32mm divided into equal parts of green, white, gold, white and green.

References: Rhod. Warrant 3/1970, 23 September 1970; Rhod. Govt. Notice 970/1970 and 1113/1970.

 

Ribbon: 32mm, gold with 6mm green edges.

References: Rhod. Warrant 2/1973, 8 October 1973; Rhod. Govt. Notice 983/1973 and 670/1977 – Replaced the
Order of the Legion of Merit (1970).

11/11/1970 Mr. H.S. Bezuidenhout

11/11/1970 Mr. F.L. Patch

  11/11/1970 Mr. F.L. Patch
 
11. Prison Cross for Conspicuous Gallantry (P.C.G.) (1970)   19. Prison Cross for Distinguished Service (P.S.C.) (1970)
RPC   PSC
Awarded for conspicuous gallantry in the Rhodesia Prison Service   Awarded for Distinguished Service in the Rhodesia Prison Service

Silver.
Obverse: Green enamel Maltese Cross; silver medallion centre; Zimbabwe Bird in green; band within laurel wreath; FOR GALLANTRY.  Silver spray on rivet ring.
Reverse: Plain

Ribbon: 32mm divided into three green and two white stripes in equal parts, each white partbisected by 1.5mm maroon stripe.

References: Rhod. Warrant 13/1970, 4 November 1970; Rhod. Govt. Notice 1099/1970.

 

Silver.
Obverse: Green enamel Maltese Cross; silver medallion centre; Zimbabwe Bird in green; band within laurel; FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE. Silver spray on rivet ring.
Reverse: Plain

Ribbon: 32mm divided into three green and two white stripes in equal parts.

References: Rhod. Warrant 13/1970, 4 November 1970; Rhod. Govt. Notice 1099/1970

It would appear that no awards of this medal were made
 

11/11/1978 A.M. Hall
11/11/1974 Dir. F.L. Patch, I.C.D.
11/11/1971 D.Dir. J.C.C. Reyneke

 
21. Prison Medal for Gallantry (R.P.M.) (1970)    
RPM obvRPM rev  

Wdr Masukume

Warder Masukume – Photo from Contact p.214 (also shows citation)

Awarded for Gallantry in the Rhodesia Prison Service    

Silver.
Obverse: Armorial bearings: RHODESIA PRISON SERVICE.
Reverse: FOR GALLANTRY

Ribbon: 32mm, divided into equal parts of green, maroon and green, separated by 1.5mm white stripes, each green part bisected by 1.5mm maroon stripes.

Further awards denoted by silver rosette when ribbons only worm.

References: Rhod. Warrant 14/1970, 4 November 1970; Rhod. Govt. Notice 1100/1970.

   

13/10/1971 7325 Wdr. W. Masukume.

'Rhodesia Medal Roll' shows the award date as 18.12.1970

   
 
25. Prison Medal for Meritorious Service (P.M.S.) (1970)    
PMS obvPMS obv    
Awarded for meritorious service in the Rhodesia Prison Service    

Silver.
Obverse: Armorial bearings: RHODESIA PRISON SERVICE.
Reverse: FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE

Ribbon: 32mm, divided into equal parts of green, maroon and green, separated by 1.5mm white stripes

Further award denoted by silver rosette when ribbons only worn.

References: Rhod. Warrant 14/1970, 4 November 1970; Rhod. Govt. Notice 1100/1970.

   

11/11/1971
Area Chaplain H. Swift M.B.E.

11/11/1972
Sgt. Maj. R. Korera
Chief Wdr. Machingu

11/11/1974
D.Dir E/ Bottomley
Chief Supt. R.T. Haselhurst
Chief Supt. W.J. Stassen
Supt. P.P.A. O'Hanlon
54 CPO R. Bather (later Supt.)
79 CPO Mrs. H.M. Powys
132 Sgt. Maj. Morrosi
135 Sgt. Maj. Mushikili
168 Sgt. Maj. Munduru

11/11/1975
Chief Supt. J. Hunt
Maj. M.J. Lewis
Sgt. Maj. Mwenyasukula
282 Sgt. Maj. E. Mandishona
246 Sgt. Maj. N. Nerera
332 Sgt. Maj, E. Methew
191 Sgt. Rafero

11/11/1976
Chief Supt. J.S. Souter
288 Sgt. Maj. Mugovi

 

11/11/1977
Pris. Off. A. Siangale
Sgt. Chirundika

11/11/1978
T.E.P. Kitt
C.F. Van Zyl
R.A. Stuart
W.A. Arlett-Johnson
W.G. Hutcheson
H. Kok
A.D. Munday
N.G. Wells
Miss J. Wright
J. Brads
Supt. G.K. Gwaze
J.H. Muketiwa
I. Tiki
J.N. Bell
A. Ngoni
P. Koti
C.M. Chigondo

 
30. Prison Service Medal (1970)   33. Prison Long Service Medal (1970)
Prison SM 65-68 obvPrison SM 65-68 rev   Prison LSM obvPrison LSM rev
Awarded to members of the Rhodesia Prison Service for their part in maintaining law and order.   Awarded for long and exemplary service in the Rhodesia Prison Service.

Cupro-nickel.
Obverse: Effigy of Cecil John Rhodes
Reverse: Upright sheathed sword; FOR SERVICE 1965-1968.

Ribbon: 32mm, green with 4mm grey edges.

Director’s commendation denoted by Bronze or Silver key replica worn with bit to the right as seen by the viewer.

References: Rhod. Warrant 18/1970, 4 November 1970; Rhod. Govt. Notice 1104/1970 and Statutory Instrument 391/1979.

 

Silver.
Obverse: Armorial Bearings; RHODESIA PRISON SERVICE
Reverse: Zimbabwe Bird; FOR LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT

Ribbon: 32mm divided into equal parts of red, green, red, separated by 1.5mm grey stripes.

Further awards denoted by silver rosette when ribbons only worn.

References: Rhod. Warrant 21/1970, 4 November 1970; Rhod. Govt. Notice 1107/1970 and Statutory Instrument 394/1979.

    383 Medals issued, includes 31 Single Bar and 4 Double bars.
See’ Rhodesia Medal Roll’ – Edited by David Saffery for list of recipients
 
30. Prison General Service Medal (1979)    
Prison GSM ObvPrison GSM reverse    
Awarded to members of the Rhodesia Prison Service for their part in maintaining law and order.    

Cupro-nickel.
Obverse: Effigy of Cecil John Rhodes
Reverse: Upright sheathed sword; FOR SERVICE.

Ribbon: 32mm, green with 4mm grey edges.

Director’s commendation denoted by a bronze key replica worn with bit to the right as seen by the viewer.

References: Rhod. Warrant 1/1979, 24 April 1979; Rhod. Govt. Notice 323/1979 and Statutory Instrument 503/1980.

   

An unusual grouping of Prison medals is the Prison Service Medal or Prison General Service medal together with a Rhodesian General Service Medal. This indicates someone who served with another arm of the Forces (Police, Army, etc) before or after their time with the Prison Service.

RPS RGSM PSM

Medals issued to Female Members have (F) after the name.

  Medal group of Dep. Dir. Edward Bottomley.

Medals Bottomley

Thanks to Jim Galloway and Gerry Van Tonder for their medal images

Director’s Commendation (Bronze Key emblem worn on the Prison Service Medal)
18/06/1969 6602 Warder Moses
04/02/1970 288 Sergeant Mugoyi
04/02/1970 6124 Corporal Daniel
21/01/1971   Warder Noah
07/06/1972 667 Sergeant Major Warder Tiki
15/01/1975 6073 Corporal Abedinigo
30/07/1975 920327 Chief Prison Officer Douglas George McRobb
      F Ford
      RW Jones
      Maudesley
Note : There was no Silver Key emblem during the Rhodesian period, though someone made some post 1980 off the original moulds.



Sources:

Contact – John Lovatt
Contact II – Paul L. Moorcraft
Rhodesia Medal Roll – Edited by David Saffery
Rhodesia: Orders, Decorations and Medals and their Ribbons 1890-1980 – J.P.I. Fforde and A.W. Rich

Copyright © Wayne M. Kennerley 2023