Decorations
Entries are listed alphabetically. The first line (in bold) is the term used to describe the subject, which is also a hyperlink to every item in the IBCC Digital Archive described with that tag. The second line (in italics) contains the abbreviated form. Each entry is supplemented with a definition, background information, applicability, and links to related concepts.
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
Used for: CGM
Before 1943 non-commissioned Royal Air Force aircrew had no award equivalent to the Distinguished Service Order that was available to officers. To correct this anomaly the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) was introduced in January 1943 and given “for acts of conspicuous gallantry whilst flying in active operations against the enemy”. The medal was circular bearing the image of the reigning monarch and inscribed with the words ‘For Conspicuous Gallantry’. The ribbon was sky blue with dark blue edges. 111 were awarded for gallantry during World War Two, of which over 90 were to Bomber Command aircrew. In 1993 the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the gallantry element of the Distinguished Service Order were all replaced by the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross which applies to all three services and is second only to the Victoria Cross.
The Dickin Medal is regarded as the equivalent of the Victoria Cross for animals. It was established in 1943 by the Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) and named after its founder Maria Dickin. The award is a bronze medallion bearing the words ‘For Gallantry’ and ‘We Also Serve’. The ribbon of dark green, brown and blue represents all three armed services. To date the medal has been given to 72 animals plus one honorary WW1 award: 35 dogs, 32 pigeons, 5 horses and 1 cat. One recipient of the Dickin Medal, a dog called Antis, flew with his Czech air gunner owner on about 30 Bomber Command sorties in Wellingtons with 311 Squadron. Most Bomber Command and Coastal Command aircraft carried pigeons which could be released in case of ditching or forced-landing. Three pigeons received the Dickin Medal after being released by Bomber Command aircrew in difficulty.
This entry has been added for consistency purposes. As of Oct 2021, there are no relevant items in the Archive.
Distinguished Flying Cross
Used for: DFC
The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) was established in June 1918 and awarded to commissioned officers for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whist flying in active operations against the enemy". Posthumous awards were allowed from 1979 and, since 1993, the award is open to all ranks and is given for "exemplary gallantry". The award is the third tier military decoration and is in the form of a cross with propeller blades on the vertical arms, wings on the horizontal arms with a crowned laurel wreath in the centre with the letters RAF. The ribbon is purple and white diagonal stripes. Subsequent awards have a bar with an eagle. Over 22,300 DFCs and 1,700 bars have been awarded with more than 90% of these given during World War Two.
Distinguished Flying Medal
Used for: DFM
The Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) was established in June 1918 for personnel below commissioned rank and was awarded for "exceptional valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy". The medal is oval in shape with image of the reigning monarch on the front and on the reverse an image of the goddess Athena seated in an aircraft with a hawk and the words ‘For Courage’. The ribbon comprises diagonal violet and white stripes. Subsequent awards have a bar with an eagle. Almost 7,000 DFMs were awarded with more than 6,600 being earned during World War Two. The DFM was the equivalent of the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) awarded to commissioned officers. The DFM was discontinued in 1993 when the DFC became available to all ranks.
Distinguished Service Cross
Used for: DSC
The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) was introduced in 1901 and is "awarded in recognition of an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy at sea". From 1901 to 1914 it was called the Conspicuous Service Cross when it was only available for lower ranks. Since 1979 it can be awarded posthumously and from 1993 the award has been open to all ranks and is the third tier military award for gallantry at sea. The DSC is a silver cross with rounded ends and a circular centre containing the royal cypher of the reigning monarch beneath a crown. The ribbon has a central white stripe and the edge stripes are dark blue. A silver bar for subsequent awards has a central crown. During World War Two 4,524 DSCs and 478 bars were awarded.
Distinguished Service Medal
Used for: DSM
The Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) was established in 1914 as the third tier gallantry award for naval ratings and lower ranks. Eligibility was later extended to other service personnel for bravery at sea. Posthumous awards were allowed from 1979. The DSM was discontinued from 1993 when the Distinguished Service Cross became available to all ranks. The DSM was a circular silver medal with the image and title of the reigning monarch. The reverse had the words ‘For Distinguished Service’ within a laurel wreath all under a crown. The ribbon had a central broad white stripe with a central narrow dark blue stripe. The outer stripes were also dark blue. Subsequent awards were silver bars with central laurel leaves. More than 11,300 DSMs and 227 bars were awarded up to 1993.
Distinguished Service Order
Used for: DSO
The Distinguished Service Order (DSO) was introduced in 1886 by Queen Victoria for officers for meritorious or distinguished service in wartime. Awards were generally given to senior ranks. Awards to lower ranks were for actions just short of deserving the Victoria Cross. In 1993 the DSO was replaced as an award for officer’s gallantry by the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross but the DSO was retained as an award for outstanding leadership and is available for all ranks. The DSO medal is a silver cross with white enamel and curved ends. In the centre is a crown on a red background surrounded by a laurel wreath. The ribbon is red with blue edges. Bars for subsequent awards are gold with a crown in the centre. During World War Two 4,880 DSOs and 1,014 bars were awarded.
George Cross
Used for: GC
The George Cross was established in September 1940 by King George VI at the time when Britain was under sustained attacked with many acts of civilian courage. The award is given "for acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstance of extreme danger". The award can be given posthumously and is second only to the Victoria Cross. As well as civilians the award can also be given to military personnel whose actions would not normally be eligible for military decorations. The medal is a silver cross with a circular centre depicting St George and the Dragon surrounded by the words ‘For Gallantry’. It has a dark blue ribbon. To date 408 George Crosses have been awarded; 394 to men and 12 to women. There have been two collective awards; Malta in 1942 and the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1999.
Military Cross
Used for: MC
The Military Cross was instigated in December 1914 and was awarded for “an act of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land”. It was initially awarded to officers of captain rank or below. It subsequently and progressively became available up to the rank of major and to naval and air force personnel of equivalent rank for actions on land. Since 1979 it can be awarded posthumously and from 1993 it has been the third ranked award for all ranks in all forces. The medal is a silver cross with a crown at the end of each arm and the Royal Cypher at the centre. The ribbon has a central purple vertical stripe with white stripes on either side. Subsequent awards are a silver bar with a crown at the centre. Over 55,000 Military Crosses have been awarded of which more than 43,000 were awarded in World War One and over 11,300 in World War Two.
Military Medal
Used for: MM
The Military Medal was instigated in 1916 and awarded to non-commissioned ranks for "acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire" in battle on land. Awards were backdated where necessary to 1914. The Military Medal was discontinued in 1993 when the Military Cross became available to all ranks. The Military Medal was silver and circular with the face bearing an image of the reigning monarch and the reverse having the words ‘For bravery in the field’ surrounded by a laurel wreath all under a crown. The outer edges of the ribbon are dark blue with the inner section having three white and two red narrow stripes. Subsequent awards were bars with laurel leaves. Over 132,100 Military Medals were awarded up to 1993, almost 90% of which were awarded during World War One.
Victoria Cross
Used for: VC
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest award for members of the British Armed Forces. It was introduced by Queen Victoria in January 1856 and awarded "for valour in the face of the enemy". Since then it has been awarded 1358 times including to three men who have been awarded it twice. The cross is bronze bearing a crown of St Edward, surmounted by a lion with the inscription ‘for valour’. Originally the ribbon was red for army and blue for navy but since the formation of the RAF in April 1918 the ribbon has been crimson for all three services. During World War Two 21 VCs were awarded to Bomber Command aircrew. Eleven were posthumous and three of the other ten were killed later in the war. All Bomber Command awards were for single actions except Leonard Cheshire who was awarded the VC for his sustained operational service.