Grand Cross of Valour
The Grand Cross of Valour was Rhodesia's highest military decoration, awarded for conspicuous valour by members of the Security Forces in combat. It was the equivalent of the Victoria Cross, which it replaced, and was formerly conferred on Rhodesian soldiers prior to 1965.
Grand Cross of Valour
- Name
- Grand Cross of Valour
- Period
- 1970
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
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Documentary summary
The Grand Cross of Valour was Rhodesia's highest military decoration, awarded for conspicuous valour by members of the Security Forces in combat. It was the equivalent of the Victoria Cross, which it replaced, and was formerly conferred on Rhodesian soldiers prior to 1965.
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wikidata · Q5594477 · wikipedia · Grand Cross of Valour
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Grand Cross of Valour • Country — Rhodesia • Type — Military decoration • Awarded For — Conspicuous Valour • Post Nominals — GCV • Established — 1970 • Firstawarded — 1978 • Lastawarded — 1980 • Total Awarded — Two • Total Recipients — * CF Schulenburg • GA Wilson • Lower — Conspicuous Gallantry Decoration • Image2 Size — 100
Institution
Institution
The award was instituted in 1970 by Presidential Warrant, the first being made in 1978. The second and final investiture was in June 1980.
Recipients
Recipients
Just two awards of the Grand Cross of Valour were made. The first recipient was Acting Captain Chris F. Schulenberg of the Selous Scouts. Following the country's recognised independence as Zimbabwe in 1980, the Grand Cross of Valour was awarded to Major Grahame Wilson, second-in-command of the Rhodesian SAS, and Rhodesia's most highly decorated soldier. Recipients were entitled to the post-nominal letters G.C.V.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
The Grand Cross of Valour was superseded in October 1980 by the Gold Cross of Zimbabwe, which is presented for conspicuous bravery in perilous conditions, but which can be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel.
Chronology
Dated record
Chronology
The full dated record · 1 entries
1970
Grand Cross of Valour first recorded.
Medal
The medal was a 9 ct gold cross with an enamelled roundel in the centre bearing a lion's head, hung from a V-shaped suspender from a scarlet ribbon woven with a central green stripe edged in white, with a gold stripe between the red and white. The medal was impressed in small capitals with the recipient's name on the reverse, and was awarded with a case of issue, miniature medal for wear, and an illuminated certificate.
Literature
Scholarly footprint
A count of publications is evidence of attention, not of standing, and is given here only as a measure.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Saffery, D. The Rhodesia Medal Roll. Jeppestown Press. 2006. 0-9553936-0-4.
- 2.Pittaway, J. SAS Rhodesia. Dandy Agencies. 2003. 0-620-29347-0.
- 3.Zimbabwe Government. Statutory Instrument No. 677 of 1981. 1981. 677. 14 September 1981.
References
Citations
References
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reference work
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 August 2026.
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