WWI UK Medals and awards during the reign of King George V (3)

The British Gallantry Decorations and Bravery Awards




1. Victoria Cross (VC)

Ribbon

Blue Ribbon                 Red Ribbon

The Victoria Cross was instituted on 29th January 1856. This is the highest award for gallantry. It is awarded for an act of outstanding courage or devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. All ranks were, and still are, eligible when serving with the British and Commonwealth armed forces. Until April 1918 the medal ribbon issued with the Victoria Cross was red (or crimson) for Army recipients and blue for Navy recipients. The VC is designed in the form of the Maltese Cross: in the centre of the medal is a lion guardant standing upon the Royal Crown. The words "For valour" are inscribed below. A miniature cross emblem is worn on the ribbon alone in undress uniform.


2. Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Ribbon

Obverse     Reverse                                                                    

The Distinguished Service Order (DSO), established 6 September 1886, is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the Commonwealth of Nations, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.

3. Royal Red Cross Class I (RRC) - women

Ribbon

Medal & Ribbon GEO V Original Medal & Ribbon Victorian 1883 (1st Class–gold)

The Royal Red Cross was instituted by Queen Victoria on 27 April 1883 and was the first example of a British military order solely for women. The decoration can be conferred upon members of the nursing services, irrespective of rank. The award was established with a single class of Member. A second and lower class, Associate, was added during World War I in 1917. Recipients are called ‘associates’ and can use the letters ‘ARRC’ after their names.

4. Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Ribbon

Obverse                    Reverse

The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is a third level military decoration awarded to officers of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Merchant Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries. The award was originally created in 1901 as the Conspicious Service Cross, for award to warrant and junior officers ineligible for the DSO. It was renamed the Distinguised Service Cross in October 1914.

Since 1916, bars to the DSC have been awarded in recognition of the performance of further acts of gallantry meriting the award.

5. Military Cross (MC)

Ribbon                With Bar                With two bars

Obverse       Reverse                                                            

The Military Cross (MC) is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and (since 1993) other ranks of the British Armed Forces, formerly also awarded to officers of other Commonwealth
countries.
The MC is granted in recognition of "an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land to all members, of any rank in Our Armed Forces". The award was created on 28 December 1914 for commissioned officers of the substantive rank of Captain or below and for Warrant Officers. In August 1916, Bars were awarded to the MC in recognition of the performance of further acts of gallantry meriting the award.

6. Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Old Ribbon                                           New Ribbon

 

The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) is the third-level military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, instituted for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty, whilst flying in active operations against the enemy". 

7. Air Force Cross (AFC)

  

The Air Force Cross (AFC) is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy". A bar is added to the ribbon for holders who are awarded a second AFC.

8. Royal Red Cross Class II (ARRC)

Medal & Ribbon Geo V 1917 (2nd Class - Silver)

The award was established during WWI in 1917. It is made to a fully trained nurse or assistant nurse, probationer, or V.A.D. nursing member, who, belonging to one of the officially recognized nursing services, has shown special devotion and competency in the performance of nursing duties, over a continuous and long period, or who has performed some very exceptional act of bravery and devotion at her post of duty. Recipients are called ‘associates’ and can use the letters ‘ARRC’ after their names.