The SAAF Forum

Hello all.

I have in my possession a Defence Medal that was awarded to a South African serviceman during WW II.

The trouble that I have is that I know absolutely nothing about him, apart from his surname, initial and service number. I would like to find out more about this chap, particularly what unit he served with, where he served, how long he was active - etc. Is it even worth me approaching the South African authorities, given the dearth of information at my disposal?

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A plan is simply a basis for change.

You can try emailing details to The Director General, Acting Secretary for Defence at
[email protected]
Tel: (012) 322 6351

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Money cannot buy happiness, but it's more comfortable to cry in a Mercedes Benz than on a bicycle.

Thank you, I'll try that.

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A plan is simply a basis for change.

The Defence Medal was the commonest Commonwealth award of WW2. Literally millions were issued - to everyone from Home Guard members through to Civil Defence air raid wardens, merchant seamen etc. So basically the recipient details will be his personal file. That the SADF will not part with unless one can prove kinship. They are very on-the-ball though, I have helped several people get details of grandpa, etc. but it does require that little detail of authentication of who you are and who the serviceman was and how you were related.

How do you know his name, service number? As far as I can see the medal was issued unnamed - except the Canadian issue (which was in silver and not cupro-nickel like the others were).

Thanks, I did read the wikipedia page for this decoration I know these details because they are inscribed on the medal but of course I have no relation to the person whatsoever.

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A plan is simply a basis for change.

I distrust most Wikipedia entries - I still rely on my battered 40 year old Spink's Standard Catalogue of British Orders Decorations and Medals. Some people had their names inscribed on the medals privately - but they were not so inscribed on issue. So what was the name and service number?

I am pretty sure that all Rhodesian and South African medals were inscribed, including the Defence Medal. This particular one was awarded to a certain: M16108 H. KRIEL

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A plan is simply a basis for change.

The Defence medal was not routinely awarded to South Africans or members of the UDF unless they were in places like Britain. So it would have been unlikely to be a UDF award. Just like no campaign stars were issued named (or numbered). The Defence medal is seen as a campaign medal. A lot of people had these medals privately inscribed. I'll get a pal to run that number through the system and see what he can come up with.

Thanks Eugene.

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A plan is simply a basis for change.

South Africans, for routine UDF service, tended to get the Africa Service medal in lieu of the Defence Medal. Other countries like New Zealand, Canada, etc. issued their own versions of the Defence Medal. You recipient was a very early volunteer in WW2 - his number indicates he probably joined up in 1939.

The Africa Service medal.

You've stoked my interest even more, thanks for the information so far. This medal just happened to be in a bunch of stuff that I bought off auction, I've since acquired a ribbon for it so it looks a bit better now.

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A plan is simply a basis for change.

Now for the bad news - that number and that name do not seem to match in the records. Or that record is missing. There was a bad fire some years back IIRC and some records were destroyed.
Not easily traced as it has not been captured on the computer.
Sorry.

The award of the Defence Medal to UDF members was not that uncommon - Field Marshal Smuts received one as did General Kenny van der Spuy. My Uncle was awarded one for service as a SAAF aircraft mechanic in North Africa but after the North African Campaign had ended - so he could not qualify for the Africa Star. I have a SAAF Navigator medal group in my collection with Defence Medal for service in the Middle East.

In my experience UDF members could only receive the Defence Medal in conjunction with the Africa Service Medal - to be awarded the ASM one had to have signed the General Service Oath (also referred to as the Africa Oath or "Rooi Eed" - due the orange/red tab worn on the epaulette). To be awarded the Defence Medal one had to serve outside an operational area but an area at least (possibly) subject to enemy attack, such as Britain, the Middle East east, etc. True, most UDF members served their entire time in operational areas and thus did not qualify for the Defence Medal but I cannot recall ever seeing a South African group of medals that did not include the ASM along with the Defence Medal. To go on active service one had to have signed the Oath so most UDF members received the ASM - most of the handful that did not were pre-war Permanent Force members who refused to sign the Oath and be prepared to serve outside the borders of SA. We did not have conscription then and all who signed the Oath (and received the ASM) were volunteers - irrespective of being PF, Citizen Force, "Hostilities Only", etc. Active service in the Home Waters of SA by the SAAF and Navy could, in certain cases entitle one to the Defence medal but in order to undertake active service one still had to have signed the Oath.

South African issues of the Defence Medal (and the War Medal) were identified by the suspender - South African suspenders had "double bumps" of equal size and shape on either side of the suspender bar while British and other Commonwealth issues had narrower "bumps" on the top (where the horizontal hanging pin for the ribbon is attached). Hope this makes sense.

All South African Campaign and service medals awarded for WW2 were officially named (only Rhodesians serving in UDF units had theirs named) and in cases carried certain suffixes (F for WAAF, W for WAAS, C for Coloured, N for Native, SRV for Southern Rhodesian Volunteer, SAP for the Police, etc.). I have a feeling the suffix M stood for Malay - bit strange with that surname though.

Dewald Nel, a researcher registered with the SANDF can perhaps assist - his email is [email protected].

Did you mean "prefix" perhaps? The M character is the first character of this chap's service number.



Thank you very much for all the information and effort both of you. It is perhaps unsurprising that I've not heard anything via the official channels yet but I'll certainly hit up Mr Nel and see if he can help unravel the mystery. A pity about the missing record / mismatched name + number but ... these things happen.

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A plan is simply a basis for change.

If I may add by 2c worth, I have my late father's WW2 medals, Africa Service Medal, The War Medal 1939 - 1945, The Italy Star, and The 1939 - 1945 Star. All of them had his initials, surname and force number inscribed on then upon issue. The Africa Service Medal and The War Medal 1939 - 1945 has it on the edge. The Italy Star and The 1939 - 1945 star has it on the reverse.

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Money cannot buy happiness, but it's more comfortable to cry in a Mercedes Benz than on a bicycle.