Independence Commemorative Decoration
Encyclopedia
The Independence Commemorative Decoration was a Rhodesia
n civil decoration
awarded to persons who had rendered valuable service to Rhodesia. The award was instituted in 1970 by Presidential Warrant, the first awards being made the same year. Recipients were entitled to the post-nominal letters ICD.
The medal was a circular bronze medal worn on the breast. The obverse bore the shield from Rhodesia's coat of arms and the legend COMMEMORATION OF INDEPENDENCE RHODESIA, while the reverse was blank. The medal was impressed in small capitals with the recipient's name on the rim, and was awarded with a case of issue, miniature medal for wear, and an illuminated certificate. The ribbon consisted of five equal stripes, green, white, gold, white, green, identical to the Independence Decoration
.
Over 150 awards of the Independence Commemorative Decoration were made between 1970 and 1978. Most recipients were political supporters or allies of the Rhodesian Front
government of Ian Douglas Smith; the decoration was awarded to over 20 traditional leaders
as a reward for their tacit support of the government. Recipients included the ZUPO leader Jeremiah Chirau
, and the Rhodesian High Commissioner in London, Andrew Skeen
.
The last recipient of the Independence Commemorative Decoration was the sanctions-buster Jack Malloch, an employee of air transport company Affretair
, in 1978. The Decoration fell into abeyance following Zimbabwe Rhodesia
's adoption of majority rule in 1979, and the country's transformation into Zimbabwe
a year later.
Rhodesia
Rhodesia , officially the Republic of Rhodesia from 1970, was an unrecognised state located in southern Africa that existed between 1965 and 1979 following its Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom on 11 November 1965...
n civil decoration
Civil decoration
A civil decoration is a decoration awarded to civilians for distinguished service. Military personnel might also be eligible for services of a non-military nature...
awarded to persons who had rendered valuable service to Rhodesia. The award was instituted in 1970 by Presidential Warrant, the first awards being made the same year. Recipients were entitled to the post-nominal letters ICD.
The medal was a circular bronze medal worn on the breast. The obverse bore the shield from Rhodesia's coat of arms and the legend COMMEMORATION OF INDEPENDENCE RHODESIA, while the reverse was blank. The medal was impressed in small capitals with the recipient's name on the rim, and was awarded with a case of issue, miniature medal for wear, and an illuminated certificate. The ribbon consisted of five equal stripes, green, white, gold, white, green, identical to the Independence Decoration
Independence Decoration (Rhodesia)
The Independence Decoration was a Rhodesian civil decoration awarded to persons who played a notable and significant part in the Unilateral Declaration of Independence in 1965.- Institution :...
.
Over 150 awards of the Independence Commemorative Decoration were made between 1970 and 1978. Most recipients were political supporters or allies of the Rhodesian Front
Rhodesian Front
The Rhodesian Front was a political party in Southern Rhodesia when the country was under white minority rule. Led first by Winston Field, and, from 1964, by Ian Smith, the Rhodesian Front was the successor to the Dominion Party, which was the main opposition party in Southern Rhodesia during the...
government of Ian Douglas Smith; the decoration was awarded to over 20 traditional leaders
Tribal chief
A tribal chief is the leader of a tribal society or chiefdom. Tribal societies with social stratification under a single leader emerged in the Neolithic period out of earlier tribal structures with little stratification, and they remained prevalent throughout the Iron Age.In the case of ...
as a reward for their tacit support of the government. Recipients included the ZUPO leader Jeremiah Chirau
Jeremiah Chirau
Jeremiah Chirau was a notable figure among Rhodesia's chiefs, and during the UDI he became the only leader of the Zimbabwe United People's Organisation , a party largely comprising chiefs....
, and the Rhodesian High Commissioner in London, Andrew Skeen
Andrew Skeen (Rhodesia)
Andrew Skeen was the last High Commissioner from Rhodesia to the United Kingdom, succeeding Evan Campbell.A brigadier in the Rhodesian Army, he served as the High Commissioner for Rhodesia in London from July to November 1965...
.
The last recipient of the Independence Commemorative Decoration was the sanctions-buster Jack Malloch, an employee of air transport company Affretair
Affretair
Affretair was a cargo airline based in Zimbabwe.- History :Affretair was formed as a Gabon-based associate company of Air Trans Africa, when a Douglas DC-8 aircraft was acquired in the early 1970s for overseas freight operations...
, in 1978. The Decoration fell into abeyance following Zimbabwe Rhodesia
Zimbabwe Rhodesia
Zimbabwe Rhodesia , officially the Republic of Zimbabwe Rhodesia, was an unrecognized state that existed from 1 June 1979 to 12 December 1979...
's adoption of majority rule in 1979, and the country's transformation into Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
a year later.