WW2 South African Africa Service Medal Full Size No V164217 IMDE V. Hopkins

The WW2 South African Africa Service Medal, Full Size, No V164217, was awarded to personnel who served in the Union Defence Forces, the South African Police, and certain other services during the Second World War. This particular medal is impressed with the recipient’s details: “IMDE V. Hopkins.” The Africa Service Medal was instituted in 1943 and is notable for its silvered bronze composition, with a diameter of approximately 36 mm. The obverse features the emblem of the South African Coat of Arms, while the reverse displays the words “AFRICA SERVICE MEDAL” and the bilingual inscription in English and Afrikaans. The medal is suspended from a ribbon featuring green, gold, and black stripes, symbolizing South Africa’s national colors. It was awarded to recognize service in various theaters of World War II between 1939 and 1945, both within Africa and abroad. This example represents a piece of South African military history from the mid-20th century.