THE UNION OF South Africa was formed in 1910 by uniting the Cape Colony, Natal, Orange Free State, and Transvaal. Government services were centralised, and in 1912 the colonial military forces were absorbed into a new organisation, the Union Defence Forces. The UDF consisted of a full-time Permanent Force, a part-time Citizen Force (both of which were "army"), and a division of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. A small air force and a naval service were added to the PF after World War I.

As was the practice in the British Empire at that time, the British government bestowed orders, decorations and campaign medals, but allowed dominion and colonial governments to issue the long service medals and a few other awards under local regulations. The Union government therefore adopted those medals between 1913 and 1915, the effective date being 1 April 1913. This system was followed until December 1939.

The British honours system differentiated between the navy, army and air force, between officers and other ranks, and between full-time and part-time forces.

Decorations
The South African government had one decoration at its direct disposal:

MEDAL FOR DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT IN THE FIELD
Originally instituted for the British Army in 1854, and extended to dominions and colonies in 1894.

1914 - Authorised: to be awarded by the governor-general, to other ranks (i.e. warrant officers, NCOs and men), for services of a distinctly gallant or distinguished nature - a £25 gratuity to be paid to each recipient - no post-nominal letters.

Circular silver medal - obverse: the reigning British monarch and his titles - reverse: the words "For Distinguished Conduct in the Field" - ribbon: crimson, with dark blue centre panel.

1920 - Gratuity abolished.

1940 - Discontinued. Never awarded (but many South Africans received the medal from the British Army).

Campaign Medals
The Union Defence Forces, and the SA Overseas Expeditionary Force, fought in five World War I campaigns: German South West Africa (1914-15), German East Africa (1916-18), Egypt (1916), France & Belgium (1916-18), and Palestine (1917-18). Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve personnel served with the Royal Navy in the Aegean and other theatres of war. They received the British campaign stars and medals, together with a South African issue of the Victory Medal:

VICTORY MEDAL
1919 - Instituted by each Allied nation, to celebrate the Allied victory in World War I - minimum qualification: service in, among others, the German South West Africa, Egypt, France and Belgium, German East Africa, and Palestine theatres of war.

Circular gold-coloured bronze medal - obverse: figure of Victory (as on the British issue of the medal) - reverse: the words "The Great War for Civilisation", "De Grote Oorlog voor de Beschaving" and "1914-1919" inside a laurel wreath - ribbon: double rainbow pattern (as used by all the Allies).

Long Service Medals
Long service medals were entirely at the disposal of the South African government, and were the same as those awarded in other parts of the British Empire. There were separate awards, with differing criteria, for the Permanent Force, the Citizen Force, and the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve:

MEDAL FOR LONG SERVICE & GOOD CONDUCT
Originally instituted for the British Army in 1830 and extended to dominions and colonies in 1894.

1914 - Adopted: to be awarded by the governor-general, to Permanent Force other ranks, after 18 years exemplary service - each recipient to be paid a £15 cash gratuity.

Circular silver medal - obverse: the British monarch and his titles - reverse: the words "For Long Service and Good Conduct" encircled by "Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas" - ribbon: crimson, with white/ blue/ white centre panel.

1920 - Gratuity abolished.

1939 Discontinued: replaced by the Medal for Long Service & Good Conduct (Military).

Note: although this was originally an army medal, it was also granted to the air force and naval service.

MEDAL FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE
Originally instituted for the British Army in 1845 and extended to dominions and colonies in 1894.

1914 - Adopted: to be awarded by the governor-general, to Permanent Force warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers, after at least 21 years of long, valuable and meritorious service - each recipient to be paid a £50 cash gratuity.

Circular silver medal - obverse: the British monarch and his titles - reverse: the words "For Meritorious Service" in a laurel wreath - ribbon: crimson, with blue edges and a white/ blue/ white centre panel.

1920 - Gratuity abolished.

1940 - Discontinued. Only 46 medals had been awarded.

Note: although this was originally an army medal, it was also open to the air force and naval service.

COLONIAL AUXILIARY FORCES OFFICERS' DECORATION (VD)
Originally instituted for the dominions and colonies in 1899.

1913 - Adopted: to be awarded by the governor-general, to Citizen Force officers, after 20 years commissioned service - post-nominal letters VD.

Oval silver medal with a voided centre and a gilt crown on top - obverse: the GRI royal cipher and the words "Colonial Auxiliary Forces" - reverse: blank - ribbon: dark green.

1924 - Service in World War I authorised to be counted twice towards the 20-year qualification.

1939 - Discontinued: replaced by the Efficiency Decoration.

Note: although this was originally an army decoration, it was also granted to the air force.

COLONIAL AUXILIARY FORCES LONG SERVICE MEDAL
Originally instituted for the dominions and colonies in 1899.

1913 - Adopted: to be awarded by the governor-general, to all ranks of the Citizen Force, after 20 years efficient service - an officer recipient was eligible for the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration after he had been commissioned for twenty years.

Circular silver medal - obverse: the British monarch and his titles - reverse: the words "For Long Service in the Colonial Auxiliary Forces" on a crowned shield - ribbon: dark green.

1924 - Service in World War I authorised to be counted twice towards the 20-year qualification.

1939 - Discontinued: replaced by the Efficiency Medal.

Note: although this was originally an army medal, it was also granted to the air force.

RNVR VOLUNTEER OFFICERS' DECORATION (VD)
Originally instituted for the British RNVR in 1908.

1915 - Adopted: to be awarded by the governor-general to Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (SA Division) officers after 20 years commissioned service - post-nominal letters VD.

Oval silver medal consisting of a frame of cable, knotted at the base and crowned with a gilt crown, enclosing the GRI royal cipher - ribbon: dark green.

1919? - Ribbon changed to navy blue with a red/ green/ red centre panel.

1925 - Service in World War I authorised to be counted twice towards the 20-year qualification.

1947 - Service in World War II authorised to be counted twice towards the 20-year qualification.

1949 - Discontinued.

RNVR MEDAL FOR LONG SERVICE & GOOD CONDUCT
Originally instituted for the British RNVR in 1908.

1915 - Adopted: to be awarded by the governor-general, to all ranks of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (SA Division), after 12 years efficient service - an officer recipient was eligible for the RNVR Volunteer Officers' Decoration after he had been commissioned for twenty years.

Circular silver medal - obverse: the British monarch and his titles - reverse: a warship at sea and the words "Diuturne Fidelis" - ribbon: dark green.

1919? - Ribbon changed to green with navy blue and red edges.

1925 - Service in World War I authorised to be counted twice towards the 12-year qualification.

1947 - Service in World War II authorised to be counted twice towards the 12-year qualification.

1949 - Discontinued.