Rhodesian General Service Medal – Field Reservist M. H. Knott, British South Africa Police
Rhodesian General Service Medal – 30686 D F/R M. H. KNOTT
A well-presented and correctly impressed example of the Rhodesian General Service Medal, named on the rim to 30686 D F/R M. H. KNOTT. His entry appears in the Supplement to BSAP Reserve Force Orders as No. 30686D, Field Reservist M. H. Knott, with the medal officially awarded on 20 December 1979 during the final months of the Rhodesian Bush War.
The rank F/R denotes Field Reservist — a member of the British South Africa Police Reserve mobilised for operational duties. Field Reservists played a vital role in the counter-insurgency effort, deployed on rural patrols, convoy protection, security tasks in high-risk areas, and joint operations alongside regular BSAP units, PATU teams, and Rhodesian Army elements. Service in Matabeleland Province, where Knott is recorded, was particularly demanding during this late-war period.
The Rhodesian General Service Medal was instituted in 1968 and awarded for service “on operations combatting terrorists or enemy incursions into Rhodesia.” Struck in cupro-nickel by Matthews Manufacturing of Bulawayo, it features the portrait of Cecil Rhodes on the obverse and the Arms of Rhodesia on the reverse. The ribbon incorporates the colours of the BSAP (Oxford blue and old gold), the Rhodesian Army (guardsman red), and the Rhodesian Air Force (Cambridge blue). Each medal was impressed in small capitals with the recipient’s service number, rank, and name.
Medals named to BSAP Field Reservists are always appealing, reflecting the important and often hazardous duties carried out by part-time police members during the height of the Bush War. As one of the tens of thousands of men and women who contributed to national security during this turbulent era, Knott’s service is fully verified by surviving BSAP records.
A desirable and properly documented medal awarded on 20 December 1979 — a late-war BSAP issue to a Field Reservist serving in Matabeleland.
AJMS Medals