Meritorious service

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Context

This award was established on 03 June 1918.

Eligibility and Criteria

The cross is awarded to officers and Warrant Officers for an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty performed whilst flying in active operations against the enemy.

Description

A cross flory, 2.125 inches wide, with the horizontal and base bars terminated with bumps, the upper bar with a rose. For mounting, the straight bar has two sprigs of laurel at the bottom which form a slot for a king ring to attach it to the small ring at the top of the medal.

Military Cross (MC)

Context

The Military Cross (MC) was established on 28 December 1914.

Eligibility and Criteria

The Military Cross can be awarded to Commissioned Officers of the substantive rank of Captain or below (therefore acting and temporary Majors are eligible) or Warrant Officers for distinguished and commendable services in battle. In 1920, the terms were altered to clearly state the award was for gallant and distinguished services in action and that naval and air force officers could be awarded the cross for gallant and distinguished services on the ground.

Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Context

This award was originally established in June 1901 as the Conspicuous Service Cross and changed to the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) in October 1914.

Eligibility and Criteria

This was awarded to Naval personnel, from Warrant Officer to Lieutenant, for the performance of commendable or distinguished services before the enemy. In 1939, Commanders and Lieutenant-Commanders were also made eligible for the DSC. Members of the Air Force or Army serving with the fleet were also eligible.

Royal Red Cross Class 1 (RRC)

Context

The Royal Red Cross Class 1 (RRC) was instituted on 23 April 1883 and the first award to a Canadian was made in 1902. The Bar was instituted on 15 December 1917.

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Context

The order was established in June 1917. In December 1918, military and civil divisions were established. With the First World War lasting longer than expected and no suitable way to reward services to the war effort by civilians at home and servicemen in support positions, King George V created another order with five levels.

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Context

The order was established in June 1917. In December 1918, military and civil divisions were established. With the First World War lasting longer than expected and no suitable way to reward services to the war effort by civilians at home and servicemen in support positions, King George V created another order with five levels.

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Context

Instituted on 6 September 1886 by Queen Victoria in a Royal Warrant published in the London Gazette on 09 November 1886. The order was established for rewarding individual instances of commendable or distinguished service in war.

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Context

The order was established in June 1917. In December 1918, military and civil divisions were established. With the First World War lasting longer than expected and no suitable way to reward services to the war effort by civilians at home and servicemen in support positions, King George V created another order with five levels.

Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)

Context

The order was founded in 1725 and the KCB was first awarded to a Canadian in 1815. The Most Honourable and Ancient Order of The Bath was presented for service of the highest caliber.

George Cross (GC)

Context

The George Cross (GC) was created on 24 September 1940 and published in the London Gazette on 31 January 1941.

Eligibility and Criteria

The cross was awarded for an act of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger. It was intended primarily for civilians and award in the military services was confined to actions for which purely military honours were not normally granted and actions not in the face of the enemy.