Tag Archives: Bravery
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 […]
Continue readingMentioned 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 […]
Continue readingThe 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 […]
Continue readingThe 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 […]
Continue readingThe Distinguished Flying Cross
The Distinguished Flying Cross was instituted by Royal Warrant on 3 June 1918 and was awarded to officers and warrant officers of the Royal Air Force and other services for ‘an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty performed whilst flying in active operations against the enemy’. Just over 1,100 DFCs were awarded during the […]
Continue readingThe Distinguished Flying Medal
The Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) was instituted by Royal Warrant on 3 June 1918 and was awarded to non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Air Force for ‘an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty performed whilst flying in active operations against the enemy’. Issued to just 104 recipients during World War One, […]
Continue readingBritish Gallantry Awards of the First World War
In addition to the various campaign medals that were instituted for issue to members of the British Armed Forces for operational service during the First World War, there were also a number of decorations that could be awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry and/or distinguished and meritorious service. These medals were normally awarded to recognise […]
Continue readingThe Military Medal
Instituted by Royal Warrant on 25 March 1916, and subsequently backdated to August 1914, the Military Medal was awarded to warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the British Army and Commonwealth Forces to recognise acts of bravery in the field. Approximately 115,000 were awarded during World War One, including a small number to both Royal Navy […]
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