Legion of Merit (Rhodesia)

The Legion of Merit was a Rhodesian order of merit awarded to both civilian and military recipients for service to Rhodesia.

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. The civil class was suspended from a green and gold ribbon. The military class differed by featuring a red stripe on the green and gold ribbon.

Classes

There were five classes of the order:

• Grand Commander (GCLM)
• Grand Officer (GLM)
• Commander (CLM)
• Officer (OLM)
• Member (MLM)

The incumbent President of Rhodesia served as Grand Master of the Legion of Merit. Recipients of the order were entitled to the post-nominal letters shown above.

Zimbabwe

The Legion of Merit was superseded in April 1981^[1] by the Zimbabwe Order of Merit, which is awarded to civilians as well as military personnel for eminent achievement and services to Zimbabwe.

Notable recipients

While the higher grades of the order were used almost exclusively by Ian Smith's Rhodesian Front government to reward political service, recipients of the lower and middle grades included a number of notable military leaders, community leaders and civil servants. There was a strong sex bias apparent in the award of the Rhodesian Legion of Merit; no women were ever made Grand Commander or Grand Officer; only one woman (Janet Smith, the wife of Prime Minister Ian Smith) was awarded the honour of Commander, and just two women became Officers.

There were only 4 GCLMs awarded: Prime Minister Ian Douglas Smith, President Clifford Dupont President John Wrathall and Cabinet Secretary Gerald Clarke There were 28 GLM's (Civil Division) Awarded: Morris S.E. Chief Native Commissioner, Senator; Nicolle W.H.H. Secretary for Internal Affairs; Stumbles A.R.W. Speaker of the House; Bruce N.H.B. Governor of Reserve Bank; Howman J.H. Minister, Information & Defence; Ross L.C. Secretary for Information, Immigration and Tourism; Smith L.B. Minister; Young D.W. Secretary to the Treasury; Lardner-Burke D.W. Minister of Law and Order; Lilford D.C. Chairman, Rhodesia Front Party; Smith E.A.T. Secretary for Justice; Bosman T.A.T Attorney General; Hawkins H. Commander RhAF, Ambassador to South Africa; Hawkins R.T.R. Minister; Mussett B.H. Minister of Transport; Whetmore C.N. Secretary; Gaylard J.F. Secretary; Smith A.P. Minister; Smith D.C. Minister of Finance; Van der Byl P.K.F.V Minister of Defence; Sherren P.D.W.R Commissioner of Police; Cambitizis N.H.B. Rhodesia Front Party; Hartley G.H. Rhodesia Front Party; Partridge M.H.H. Minister for Natural Resources; Pithey J.W. Secretary of Justice, Acting President; Everard H.B. Acting President; Irvine W.M. Minister, Transport and Power; Flower K. Head, Central Intelligence Organization;

There was only 1 GLM (Military Division) which was awarded to Lieutenant-General Peter Walls. There were 32 CLM (Civil Division) of which one was awarded to Janet Smith (Wife of Ian Smith). There were 4 CLM (Military Division)of which one was awarded to Colonel Ronald Reid-Daly commanding officer of the Selous Scouts. There were 126 OLM Civil Division awarded. There were 35 OLM Military Division and 10 OLM Military Division (Combatant) awarded. There were 300 MLM Civil Division, 55 MLM Military Division and 10 MLM Military Division (Combatant) awarded.

References

1. ^ Zimbabwe Government Statutory Instrument No. 197A of 1981, 17 April 1981.

See also

• Orders, Medals and Decorations of Zimbabwe and Rhodesia
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