Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Rhodesia General Service Medal awarded to Lance-Sergeant I. Mbamchena, British South Africa Police, a recipient of the Commissioner’s Special Commendation Silver Baton for his bravery during an anti-terrorist operation, 14/15 May 1979, in which despite being shot in the head, he continued to engage his targets and pursued them over 5 kilometres. He was wounded again, two weeks later, when his vehicle came under rocket fire during an ambush

Rhodesia, General Service Medal (25288 L/Sgt I. Mbamchena); together with Commissioner’s Special Commendation “Silver Baton” mounted on green riband for wearing, very fine £200-300

Commissioner’s Special Commendation citation states:

‘No. 25288 Constable Mbamchena. In recognition of the courage, professional ability and devotion to duty displayed by him during anti-terrorist operations in the Operation Repulse Area over the period 14 - 15th May, 1979.

During an engagement with terrorists on the 14th May, 1978, No. 25288 Constable Mbamchena sustained a serious bullet wound to his head which restricted his vision. Despite this he continued to return the enemy fire, firing his weapon with one hand until the engagement was broken off. The next day at first light and whilst in considerable pain, he tracked the fleeing terrorists for a distance of 5 kms.

No. 25288 Constable Mbamchena is hereby granted the right to wear the insignia of the Silver Baton.’

Isaac Mbamchena was born in the Sipolilo area of Rhodesia, in October 1954. He joined the British South Africa Police in July 1977 - his father was Head Cook at Royal Salisbury Golf Club and he had brothers serving in the C.I.D. and Rhodesian Army. Posted to the B.S.A.P’s Support Unit, he went on to serve in a counter insurgency role in operational areas, early annual reports citing his ‘aggressive personality’ and qualification in tracking, assets that stood him in good stead come May 1978. Advanced to Lance-Sergeant in early May of the following year, while serving in Kilo Troop in the Operation Hurricane area, he was wounded in a terrorist ambush on the 29th of that month, when his vehicle was attacked by rockets and small arms fire - nine men were wounded on the same occasion.

The Support Unit (known as the "Black Boots" due to their footwear) was a Police field force staffed by about 50 white and 1700 (1980) black regular and national servicemen. From early 1978 to 1980 Support training and selection consisted of 3 phases culminating latterly in 6 months or 24 weeks training. The first phase lasting as long as 11 weeks (Rhodesia Light Infantry first phase was 6 weeks). Emphasis in selection depended on extreme physical fitness and aggression (running excess of 120 kilometres per week), mental strength in decision making and problem solving under extreme duress. The selection course consisted of a junior leader assessment in all areas concerning leadership. All Counter Operations Insurgency (COIN) battle drills being held in Battle camps at Concession and Shamva. The pass rate among recruits amounted to only 30%. On passing out recruits were deployed to one of 13 and latterly 14 Troops (Troop company strength 120 men, Mantle Mounted and November troop being new additions in 1981). The Support Unit supported the Police in rural problem areas (latterly dissidents) as well as in urban emergencies. In November 1980 during The Entumbani One uprising, 2 sections of 60 men each from 5 Support Unit Troops, Mantle Echo, Mantle Charlie, Mantle Juliet, Mantle Hotel, Mantle Lima, 300 men in all, travelled from all over Zimbabwe to reach Bulawayo in 11 hours. Due to the Support Unit Troops being independent with their own vehicles, stores, ammunition, medical supplies, tents etc., they could deploy anywhere at a moment’s notice all over Zimbabwe. During the bush war the Support Unit's primary task was to patrol the long distances in the Tribal Trust Lands, to maintain and reinstate order in the kraals (native villages).  

Sold with original Commissioner’s Special Commendation Certificate, and copied research including a photographic image of recipient in uniform.