Orders and Decorations

The medal was instituted on 05 February 1856 with awards retroactive to 1854. The first award to a Canadian was in February 1857, to Lt. Alexander DUNN (Charge of the Light Brigade).

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

This award was established on 03 June 1918.

The Air Force Cross was awarded for meritorious service and was established on 3 June 1918, the birthday of King George V.

The Royal Red Cross Class 2 (ARRC) was instituted on 10 November 1915.

The DCM was created on 04 December 1854, because of the Crimea War and was first awarded to a Canadian on 19 April 1901.

The Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (CGM) was introduced on 07 July 1874. The CGM was amended when the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) was introduced on 14 October 1914.

The George Medal (GM) was established on 24 September 1940.

The medal was instituted on 14 October 1914.

The medal was instituted on 25 March 1916.

The DFM was instituted on 03 June 1918.

This medal was instituted on 03 June 1918.

The Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service. This medal replaced the Medal of the Order of the British Empire (1917-1922) and had a military and a civil division.

After the Empire Gallantry Medal (EGM) was superseded by the George Cross, the BEM continued to be awarded for gallantry, but of a degree less than that required to earn the George Medal. Those awarded the medal could continue to wear it even if promoted to a higher grade of the order. With the institution of the Queen’s Gallantry Medal, a medal not awarded to Canadians, the award of the BEM for gallantry was ceased in June 1974.