It was awarded to members of the Southern Rhodesia Defence Forces for home service during World War II.

After the war, the colony's government pressed the Dominions Office in London for a distinct Southern Rhodesian war medal for home service, to reward those who would otherwise not have received a campaign medal.

In response, the Southern Rhodesia Service Medal was authorised in 1948 and distributed from 1949.

[2] The medal was awarded to members of the Southern Rhodesian Defence Forces who had at least six months full or part-time service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945, and who were not eligible for any other British World War II campaign medal.

[2] While most of the recipients were white, 62 Africans serving with the British South Africa Police received the medal.