Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce and well-documented Rhodesian Police Decoration for Gallantry group of five awarded to Constable M. Ncube, Support Unit, British South Africa Police, in recognition of his gallantry on two separate patrols in April 1976, including saving the life of his section leader, despite himself suffering a grenade wound to the head. Ncube arranged for his commanding officer to be evacuated, and then remained in contact with the enemy until they were all killed some three hours later. He later served as an Inspector with the Zimbabwe Republic Police

Rhodesia, Police Decoration for Gallantry (21609 Const. M. Ncube); Rhodesia, General Service Medal (21609 Const. Ncube); Zimbabwe Independence Medal 19180 (10928); Zimbabwe, Long and Exemplary Service Medal (21609 Insp M Ncube); Zimbabwe, Ten Year Service Medal (21609 SO Ncube) generally very fine (5) £700-£900

Police Decoration for Gallantry Rhodesia Government Gazette Extraordinary 15 October 1976:

‘In recognition of the gallantry displayed by him on two separate occasions.

On 1 April, 1976, he was a member of a section on patrol when he observed a terrorist armed with a light machine gun some twenty yards away from him. He shot and killed the terrorist after withholding his fire for as long as possible with the expectation that other terrorists would reveal themselves. Constable Ncube made full use of his powers of observation and showed commendable calmness and courage in this contact.
 
On 20th April, 1976, Constable Ncube, while his section was tracking a terrorist gang, was first to spot the terrorists hidden in thick bush. He opened fire and fire was returned by the terrorists, the initial burst wounding his section leader. Constable Ncube was himself injured in the head by shrapnel from a hand grenade. Disregarding his own wounds and whilst still under fire, he went to the aid of his section leader [Gordon Kaye-Eddie] and competently administered medical attention. Constable Ncube watched over his patient and assisted in maintaining fire on the enemy position until the arrival of additional forces one hour later.

The section leader was evacuated but Constable Ncube refused to leave until the contact ended three hours later with ten terrorists killed and three others captured. During the engagement which lasted four hours in all, Constable Ncube displayed brave and gallant conduct above the call of normal duty.’

The previous year he, and four others, had been Commended for Good Work Performed:

‘On the morning of Thursday, 7 August 1975, the above listed details were members of a section of “D” Troop, Support Unit, on patrol in the operational area.

They obtained information concerning the presence of terrorists in the area in which they were operating, and following this up were successful in locating a camp which had apparently been recently vacated by some forty terrorists.

Trackers were called in, and as it was almost dark, the camp was ambushed that night.

At first light the following morning a sweep of the area was carried out and it was discovered that the terrorists had split up into numerous small groups on leaving the camp. The largest group appeared to number eight, and this spoor was followed.

The section tracked this group for approximately 5 kms when it was noted that other groups had joined them, increasing the enemy party to 21.

The group again split up, and the section continued on the tracks of five. After some 9 kms they came to a Kraal where information was received that 33 terrorists had slept there the previous night. Again they had split up on leaving the kraal, and the section set off on the tracks of one small group.

By mid-day the numbers of their quarry had increased, and as it was felt that they were only some 15 minutes behind them, the Fire Force was called in, but after an unsuccessful search returned to base.

Not discouraged by this, the section continued and located a camp for over 30 terrorists. An examination showed that the terrorists had again split into groups, and the section began tracking one group of eleven.

By this time it was 1730 hrs and as the section had been on the spoor for some 12 hours, without food, it was decided to rest.

While resting they saw a number of women leaving a kraal carrying buckets. The women passed close by the section, and pretending to be terrorists, they lured them into their resting place and detained them. Two men followed shortly after them, and they too were detained. The buckets contained cook mealis meal, and the women admitted that they were on their way to deliver them to a gang of terrorists.

One of the men agreed to lead the section to the camp, but no camp was found, and it was apparent that the man had led them on a false trail.

By this time it was dark and it was decided to move into the kraal from which the women and the two men had come. They approached in extended line, and commenced searching the huts, and whilst so employed persons were heard to be approaching. By the light of the fire in the kraal, two terrorists were seen to be approaching, and as they entered the kraal members of the section opened fire.

The terrorists returned the fire, and a fire fight continued for some 20 minutes before the terrorists made off. One dead terrorist was found that night, and the following morning the body of a second was found nearby.

A search was commenced the following morning, and blood spoor was found and followed, and led to a third wounded terrorist, who resisted and was shot dead.

As a result of this engagement three terrorists were killed and a quantity of arms, ammunition and equipment was recovered.

The Commissioner is most pleased to learn of the determination, initiative and courage displayed by these members and instructs that this Memorandum be seen by them, and that a copy be filed on their respective records of service in recognition of their good work.’

Misheck Ncube joined the British South Africa Police as a Constable in May 1973. He served as a Medic with ‘Delta’ Troop of the Support Unit, and served with the B.S.A. Police for 7 years and 75 days. Ncube continued to serve in the Zimbabwe Republic Police from its inception in 1980, until his retirement as Inspector in October 1998.

1 of only 22 P.D.G.’s awarded for the whole Rhodesian War.

Sold with the following related original documentation: Bestowal Document for the Police Decoration for Gallantry, dated 15 October 1976; Government House letter informing recipient of the award of his Police Decoration for Gallantry, signed by Acting President H. B. Everard, dated 22 September 1976, with addressed postal envelope; Rhodesian Army Medical Corps Certificate of Medical Training, dated 14 November 1975; portrait photograph of recipient as an Inspector in the Zimbabwe Police, and one of him in a group photograph of a Rhodesian Support Unit; newspaper cutting relating to the award of his PDG, and other ephemera and copied research.