History

The Colonial Auxiliary forces Officer's Decoration was instituted by Queen Victoria by Royal Warrant on May 18, 1899. The Decoration was awarded to part-time officers of British Auxiliary Forces outside of India in recognition of 20 years of commissioned service. Service in the ranks counted as half while service in West Africa counted as double. The Decoration was made obsolete in 1930 following the introduction of the Efficiency Decoration.

Recipients are entitled to the post-nominal letters "VD."

There are multiple versions of the Decoration which vary by the cypher of the ruling monarch. Decorations that have been privately altered may be encountered.