Medal - Volunteer Officers Decoration (1892-1901) Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration (1902 - 1930)

The Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration, post-nominal letters VD, was established in 1899 as recognition for long and meritorious service as a part-time commissioned officer in any of the organized military forces of the British Colonies, Dependencies and Protectorates

The obverse is an oval silver band, inscribed "COLONIAL AUXILIARY FORCES" and with the Royal Cypher of the reigning monarch in skeletal form and in silver-gilt in the centre. The oval is surmounted by a silver-gilt Imperial Crown. The reverse is plain. The recipient's name was usually engraved at either the top on the back of the crown or around the circumference of the decoration. The reverse is plain. The recipient's name was usually engraved at either the top on the back of the crown or around the circumference of the decoration.[10]
The ribbon is dark green 32 mm wide and suspended from a silver bar-brooch decorated with an oak leaf pattern. (Both broach and ribbon increased to 38 mm from 1921-27)

Five versions of the decoration are known.[10]
• The centre of the decoration's original version of 1899 has the Royal Cypher "VRI" of Queen Victoria, for "Victoria Regina Imperatrix"
• The King Edward VII version, with his Royal Cypher "ERI VII" for "Edwardvs Rex Imperator VII", was introduced after his succession to the throne in 1901
• The first King George V version, with his Royal Cypher "GRI" for "Georgivs Rex Imperator" as illustrated at the top of the page, was introduced after his succession to the throne in 1910.
• A second King George V version exists, with his Royal Cypher "GRI V" for "Georgivs Rex Imperator V", with the Roman numeral "V" below the cypher "GRI". On this and the third King George V version the crown has two cut-out sections at the top.[11]
• The third King George V version, of which a miniature is illustrated, has the Roman numeral "V" to the right of the cypher "GRI