The Victoria Cross

The Victoria Cross was instituted by Queen Victoria on 29 January 1856 and is the highest British military award available for gallantry.  Awarded for ‘… most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy…’, the cross was available to all ranks of the […]

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Mentioned in Despatches

During World War One, British and Empire soldiers could be officially commended for an act of gallantry or meritorious service without the award of a medal, this was called Mentioned in Despatches (MiD). Those recognised in such a manner were specifically named in the official military despatch written by the Commander-in-Chief, initially John French and from 1915 Douglas Haig, which […]

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The Conspicuous Gallantry Medal

Instituted by Royal Warrant on 7 July 1874, the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (CGM) was awarded to non-commissioned officers and men of Britain and her Empire for conspicuous gallantry in action against the enemy at sea or in the air. The medal was the other ranks’ equivalent of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and was ranked between the British Army’s Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) […]

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The Air Force Medal

The Air Force Medal (AFM) was instituted on 3 June 1918 and was awarded to British and Commonwealth forces below commissioned rank for ‘an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy.’ The other ranks’ equivalent of the Air Force Cross (AFC), the medal was awarded on just 20 occasions during […]

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The Distinguished Service Medal

The Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) was instituted by Royal Warrant on 14 October 1914 and was awarded to members of the Royal Navy, up to and including Chief Petty Officer, and other services for acts of bravery at sea. The other ranks’ equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross, the DSM was awarded to approximately 4100 individuals during […]

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The Meritorious Service Medal

The Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) was instituted on 19 December 1845 and was originally awarded to warrant officers and sergeants of the British Army and Royal Marines in recognition of long and meritorious service. This eligibility continued following the outbreak of World War One, however, in 1916 it was decided to extend the award to all non-comissioned […]

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The Air Force Cross

The Air Force Cross (AFC) was instituted alongside the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on 3 June 1918 and was awarded to officers and warrant officers of the Royal Air Force for ‘an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy.’ A supplementary Bar was also introduced, eligible to holders of […]

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The Distinguished Service Cross

Instituted in June 1901 as an award for warrant officers and subordinate officers of the Royal Navy who had distinguished themselves on active service at sea, the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) began life as the Conspicuous Service Cross but was renamed in October 1914 when eligibilty was widened to include all officers below the rank of lieutenant commander. Almost 2,000 were issued […]

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The Distinguished Service Order

The Distinguished Service Order (DSO) was instituted by Queen Victoria on 6 September 1886 and was awarded to commissioned officers of the British Army, usually to those above the rank of major, who had rendered meritorious or distinguished service during war and had been Mentioned in Despatches. Almost 9,000 were issued during World War One, with all awards […]

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The Distinguished Conduct Medal

The Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) was established by Queen Victoria on 4 December 1854 and was issued in recognition of distinguished, gallant and good conduct shown in the field by warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the British Army and those of her commonwealth, dominions and colonies. It was the first such award for ‘other ranks’ and was second only […]

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