Louw Wepener Decoration
Louw Wepener Decoration | |
---|---|
Type | Military decoration for bravery |
Awarded for | Acts of the most conspicuous courage or greatest heroism |
Country | South Africa |
Presented by | the Monarch of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms and, from 1961, the State President |
Eligibility | All Ranks |
Post-nominals | LWD |
Clasps | Bar for subsequent award |
Status | Discontinued in 1975 |
Established | 1952 |
First awarded | 1961 |
Last awarded | 1974 |
Total | 7 |
Total awarded posthumously | 2 |
Ribbon bar | |
SADF pre-1994 & SANDF post-2002 orders of wear | |
Next (higher) | SADF precedence:
SANDF precedence:
|
Next (lower) | SADF succession:
SANDF succession:
|
The Louw Wepener Decoration, post-nominal letters LWD, is a military decoration for bravery which was instituted by the Union of South Africa in 1952. It was awarded to members of the South African Defence Force for acts of the most conspicuous courage or greatest heroism. The decoration was discontinued on 1 July 1975, when a new set of decorations and medals was instituted.[1]
The South African military
The Union Defence Forces (UDF) were established in 1912 and renamed the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1958. On 27 April 1994, it was integrated with six other independent forces into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).[2][3][4]
Institution
The Louw Wepener Decoration, post-nominal letters LWD, was instituted by Queen Elizabeth II on 6 April 1952, during the Tercentenary Van Riebeeck Festival. From 1967, it was the senior of a set of two decorations for bravery, along with the Louw Wepener Medal which was instituted in that year.[1][5]
Award criteria
The Louw Wepener Decoration could be awarded to all ranks for acts of most conspicuous courage or the greatest heroism in circumstances of great danger, and was primarily a non-combat decoration. A Bar could be awarded for a further similar deed of bravery. The decoration was instituted in honour of Louw Wepener who, in 1865, lost his life whilst leading his burghers in an attack on a Basotho stronghold on Thaba Bosigo, during the Basuto Wars of 1858 to 1865.[2]
Only seven awards were made, the first in 1961 and the last in 1974. No bar to the decoration was ever awarded.[2]
Order of wear
With effect from 6 April 1952, when the Louw Wepener Decoration and several other new decorations and medals were instituted, these new awards took precedence before all earlier British decorations and medals awarded to South Africans, with the exception of the Victoria Cross, which still took precedence before all other awards. The other older British awards continued to be worn in the order prescribed by the British Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood.[6][7][8]
The position of the Louw Wepener Decoration in the official order of precedence was revised to accommodate the inclusion of the decorations and medals of Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei, upon their integration into the South African National Defence Force in 1994.
- South African Defence Force until 26 April 1994
- Official SADF order of precedence:
- Preceded by the Star of South Africa (SSA).
- Succeeded by the Honoris Crux (1952) (HC).[9]
- Official national order of precedence:
- Preceded by the National Intelligence Service Decoration for Distinguished Leadership (OD).
- Succeeded by the Woltemade Decoration for Bravery, Silver (WDS).[9]
- South African National Defence Force from 27 April 1994
- Official SANDF order of precedence:
- Preceded by the Star of South Africa (SSA) of the Republic of South Africa.
- Succeeded by the Distinguished Gallantry Cross of the Republic of Bophuthatswana.[8]
- Official national order of precedence:
- Preceded by the Department of Correctional Services Star of Excellence (SPA) of the KwaZulu Homeland.
- Succeeded by the Woltemade Decoration for Bravery, Silver (WDS) of the Republic of South Africa.[8]
The position of the Louw Wepener Decoration in the order of wear remained unchanged, as it was on 27 April 1994, when decorations and medals were instituted for Umkhonto we Sizwe and the Azanian People's Liberation Army in April 1996, and when a new series of military orders, decorations and medals was instituted on 27 April 2003.[8]
Description
- Obverse
The Louw Wepener Decoration is a silver medallion, 38 millimetres in diameter, which depicts the mountain peak of Thaba Bosigo, with two men on horseback at its foot. Below the horsemen are the words "THABA BOSIGO, 1865" and around the circumference are the words "LOUW WEPENER" at the top and "DECORATION • DEKORASIE" at the bottom.
- Reverse
The reverse has the pre-1994 South African coat of arms, with the decoration number impressed at the bottom on the rim. Specimens which were minted and awarded before South Africa became a republic on 31 May 1961, had Queen Elizabeth's royal cipher (E II R) above the coat of arms.
- Ribbon
The ribbon is 1+3⁄8 inches (35 millimetres) wide and orange, with five white bands, all 1⁄8 inch (3.2 millimetres) wide and spaced 1⁄8 inch (3.2 millimetres) apart.
- Bar
The bar, to denote a subsequent award of the decoration, is 1+3⁄8 inches (35 millimetres) wide and in silver, with the encircled letters "LWD" in the centre. When only ribbon bars are worn, a recipient of a subsequent award would have worn a silver button with the encircled letters "LWD", 8 millimetres (0.31 inches) in diameter, on the ribbon bar.
Discontinuation
Conferment of the decoration was discontinued in respect of services performed on or after 1 July 1975, when a new set of decorations and medals was instituted.[3]
Recipients
LWD no. | Name | Rank | Service Arm | Unit | Date awarded |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nel, D.vZ. [a] | 2 Lt | SA Army | SSB | 19 May 1961 | |
van Aswegen, W.A.G. (Willem) [a] | Sgt | SA Army | SSB | 19 May 1961 | |
Stephens, F.P. [b] | Sgt | SA Army | SACMP | 1 Nov 1963 | |
van Wyk, H.H. [c] | Rfn | SA Army | 1 SAI | 1 Nov 1963 | |
van Heerden, J.H. [d] | Cmdt | SA Army | Middle Karoo Commando | 15 Aug 1969 | |
Britz, J.P. † [e] | Maj | SAAF | 1 Sqn | 19 Mar 1970 | |
Zeelie, F.J. † [f] | Lt | SA Army | 1 RR | 6 Dec 1974 |
Note 1: † denotes a posthumous award.
Actions cited for
- ^ a b Nel & Van Aswegen – Lieutenant Nel and Sergeant van Aswegen climbed aboard a burning armoured car at a public event, to rescue the crew and extinguish the fire to prevent an explosion.[2]
- ^ Stephens, F.P. – Sergeant Stephens defused an explosive device which had been placed on a railway line.
- ^ Van Wyk – Rifleman van Wyk jumped onto the wing of an incoming light aircraft with a damaged wheel to help the pilot land safely.
- ^ Van Heerden – Commandant van Heerden picked up and tossed a live grenade clear of a training group, at risk of his own life.[10]
- ^ Britz – Major Britz prevented his stricken Sabre fighter aircraft from crashing into a built-up area in Pietersburg, by staying at the controls instead of ejecting by parachute.[10]
- ^ Zeelie – Lieutenant Zeelie single-handedly stormed an enemy position. He was the first SADF casualty in combat in the 1966-1989 Border War.[10]
References
- ^ a b South African Medal Website - Post-nominal Letters (Accessed 28 April 2015)
- ^ a b c d South African Medal Website - SA Defence Force : 1952-1975 (Accessed 30 April 2015)
- ^ a b South African Medal Website - SA Defence Force : 1975-2003 (Accessed 30 April 2015)
- ^ Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 457, no. 25213, Pretoria, 25 July 2003
- ^ CometoCapeTown.com Blast from the past – Van Riebeeck festival in 1952
- ^ "No. 56878". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 March 2003. p. 3352. (Access date 14 April 2015)
- ^ Government Notice no. 1982 of 1 October 1954 - Order of Precedence of Orders, Decorations and Medals, published in the Government Gazette of 1 October 1954.
- ^ a b c d Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005, OCLC 72827981
- ^ a b Republic of South Africa Government Gazette no. 15093, Pretoria, 3 September 1993
- ^ a b c Uys, Ian (1992). Cross of Honour. Germiston: Uys. pp. 3, 8, 1. ISBN 0958317321.
- v
- t
- e
Pre-Union
until 6 April 1952
- Victoria Cross
- Dekoratie voor Trouwe Dienst
- Distinguished Service Order
- Distinguished Service Cross
- Military Cross
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Air Force Cross
- Distinguished Conduct Medal
- Distinguished Conduct Medal (Natal)
- Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
- Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying)
- Distinguished Service Medal
- Military Medal
- Distinguished Flying Medal
- Air Force Medal
- British Empire Medal (Military)
- South Africa Medal (1853)
- South Africa Medal (1880)
- Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal
- Queen's South Africa Medal
- Medalje voor de Anglo-Boere Oorlog
- Lint voor Verwonding
- King's South Africa Medal
- Natal Native Rebellion Medal
- 1914–15 Star
- British War Medal
- Victory Medal (South Africa)
- Mercantile Marine War Medal
- 1939–1945 Star
- Atlantic Star
- Arctic Star
- Air Crew Europe Star
- Africa Star
- Pacific Star
- Burma Star
- Italy Star
- France and Germany Star
- Defence Medal
- War Medal
- Africa Service Medal
- King George V Coronation Medal
- King George V Silver Jubilee Medal
- King George VI Coronation Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal (United Kingdom)
- Meritorious Service Medal (Cape of Good Hope)
- Meritorious Service Medal (Natal)
- Meritorious Service Medal (South Africa)
- Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Cape of Good Hope)
- Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Natal)
- Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Medal
- Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (South Africa)
- Volunteer Officers' Decoration for India and the Colonies
- Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies
- Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration
- Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal
- Efficiency Decoration (South Africa)
- Efficiency Medal (South Africa)
- Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
- Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
- Air Efficiency Award
- King's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces
- Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal
- South African Medal for War Services
- Sir Harry Smith's Medal for Gallantry (Unofficial)
- Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps Medal (Unofficial)
- Kimberley Star (Unofficial)
- Cape Copper Company Medal for the Defence of O'okiep (Unofficial)
1952–1994
- Honoris Crux Gold
- Star of South Africa, Gold
- Star of South Africa, Silver
- Star of South Africa (1952)
- Louw Wepener Decoration
- Honoris Crux (1952)
- Honoris Crux Silver
- Van Riebeeck Decoration
- Honoris Crux (1975)
- Pro Virtute Decoration
- Southern Cross Decoration
- Pro Merito Decoration
- Van Riebeeck Medal
- Louw Wepener Medal
- Ad Astra Decoration
- Army Cross
- Air Force Cross
- Navy Cross
- Medical Service Cross
- Southern Cross Medal (1952)
- Pro Merito Medal (1967)
- Southern Cross Medal (1975)
- Pro Merito Medal (1975)
- Danie Theron Medal
- Jack Hindon Medal
- Military Merit Medal
- Korea Medal
- Pro Patria Medal
- Southern Africa Medal
- General Service Medal (South Africa)
- Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
- Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service
- Good Service Medal, Gold
- John Chard Decoration
- De Wet Decoration
- Cadet Corps Medal
- Good Service Medal, Silver
- Union Medal
- Permanent Force Good Service Medal
- John Chard Medal
- Good Service Medal, Bronze
- De Wet Medal
- Queen's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces
- Commandant General's Medal
- SADF Champion Shot Medal
- National Cadet Bisley Grand Champion Medal
Transkei
- Cross for Bravery
- Transkei Defence Force Medal
- Independence Medal (Transkei)
- Military Rule Medal
- Faithful Service Medal
Bophuthatswana
- Order of the Leopard, Commander
- Distinguished Gallantry Cross
- Defence Force Merit Decoration
- Distinguished Gallantry Medal
- Defence Force Merit Medal
- Marumo Medal, Class I
- Defence Force Commendation Medal
- Marumo Medal, Class II
- Nkwe Medal
- General Service Medal
- Independence Medal
- Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Gold
- Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Silver
- Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Bronze
- State President's Medal for Shooting
Venda
- Gallantry Cross, Gold
- Gallantry Cross, Silver
- Distinguished Service Medal, Gold
- Distinguished Service Medal, Silver
- Venda Defence Force Medal
- General Service Medal (Venda)
- Independence Medal (Venda)
- Long Service Medal, Gold
- Long Service Medal, Silver
- Long Service Medal, Bronze
Ciskei
Umkhonto
we Sizwe
Azanian People's
Liberation Army
From 1994