Bronze Cross of Rhodesia
The Bronze Cross of Rhodesia was a Rhodesian military decoration for gallantry.
| Bronze Cross Of Rhodesia | |
|---|---|
 The Bronze Cross Of Rhodesia (B.C.R.) in case of issue | |
| Type | Military decoration |
| Awarded for | "... gallantry." |
| Description | Bronze Maltese Cross with a full face bronze lion on a white enamelled circle with black edge and bronze laurel wreath. |
| Eligibility | To members of the Rhodesian Army, Air Force, Armoured Car Regiment and Guard Force. |
| Post-nominals | B.C.R. |
| Campaign(s) | Rhodesian Bush War. |
| Clasps | Bronze clasp awarded for second award. Only one clasp ever awarded. |
| Status | Hasn't been awarded since 1980. |
| Established | instituted in 1970 |
| First awarded | 1970 |
| Last awarded | 1980 |
| Total | 131 |
| Total awarded posthumously | 7 |
| Total recipients | 131 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Silver Cross of Rhodesia (for conspicuous gallantry) |
| Equivalent | The Police Decoration for Gallantry (for gallantry) |
| Next (lower) | Meritorious Conduct Medal (for brave and gallant conduct over and above the call of duty in a non-combatant capacity. The award may be awarded to both civilians and members of the Security Forces) |
Institution
The award was instituted in 1970 by Presidential Warrant, the first awards being made the same year. The last awards were made in June 1980.
Medal
The medal was a bronze cross with an enamelled roundel in the centre bearing a lion's head, suspended from a ribbon. The ribbons of the Bronze Cross differed in colour according to the service in which the recipient was enlisted; thus Army awards had a red ribbon with three white stripes; Air Force awards a purple ribbon with stripes and Guard Force awards a brown ribbon with stripes. The medal was impressed in small capitals with the recipient's name on the reverse, and was awarded with a case of issue, miniature medal for wear, and an illuminated certificate.
Recipients
A total of 131 awards of the Bronze Cross of Rhodesia were made,[1] seven posthumously. Notable recipients included the author Alan Thrush, SAS officer Grahame Wilson and air force officer Norman Walsh. Recipients are entitled to the post-nominal letters B.C.R.
Zimbabwe
The Bronze Cross of Rhodesia was superseded in October 1980[2] by the Bronze Cross of Zimbabwe, which is awarded for conspicuous bravery, and which is open for award to civilians as well as military personnel.
Notes
- Rhodesia Medal Roll, p. 42–44
- Zimbabwe Government Statutory Instrument No. 677 of 1981, 14 September 1981.
References
- Saffery, D., 2006. The Rhodesia Medal Roll, Jeppestown Press, United Kingdom. ISBN 0-9553936-0-4
- Rhodesian Militaria: Bronze Cross of Rhodesia – Detailed photos & descriptions of genuine Bronze Crosses of Rhodesia and the breakdown of B.C.R.'s awarded to various units.