History

The Union of South Africa King's/Queen's Medal for Bravery was established by King George VI in 1939 and published in the Royal Warrant of June 23, 1939. The Gold Medal was the highest civilian decoration in the Union of South Africa during its lifetime, but it was permanently discontinued when the Republic of South Africa was declared in 1961.

The Medal was awarded to citizens of the Union of South Africa in recognition of acts of life-saving and other acts of bravery in the face of extreme danger. In 1952, it was expanded to include foreigners who had performed such acts on South African soil.

The Medal may also be known as the Woltemade Medal, in reference to the figure depicted on the reverse. Wolraad Woltemade was a Dutch farmer who was celebrated for rescuing sailors from the De Jong Thomas shipwreck of 1773.

The Gold Medal was only ever awarded once during the reign of King George VI.

See also the Woltemade Decoration for Bravery in the Medals & Decorations of South Africa for the decoration that replaced this Medal in the Republic of South Africa.