1st Class (Sea): Watered white, 35 mm wide with 5 garter blue stripes 3 mm wide.
• Albert Medal 1st Class (Land): Watered white, 35 mm wide with 5 red stripes 3 mm wide.
• Albert Medal 2nd Class (Sea): Watered white, 35 mm wide with a central garter blue stripe 8 mm wide.
• Albert Medal 2nd Class (Land): Watered white, 35 mm wide with a central red stripe 8 mm wide.
Albert Medal for Gallantry on Land in bronze obverse.
Bars: Provision was made for the bestowal of a bar; however, none were ever awarded.
Naming: Engraved in upper and lower case, bearing the full given and surname of the recipient along with details of the action.
Postnominals: AM.
Albert Medal for Gallantry on Land in bronze reverse.
Other: Presented in a rectangular maroon leatherette case embossed with the Royal Cypher of the reigning sovereign on the lid.
Number of Awards to Canadians: 22 (14 2nd class for gallantry at sea, 1 1st class for gallantry on land, 7 2nd class for gallantry on land). In addition to this, 2 1st-class and 2 2nd-class Albert Medals for gallantry at sea were awarded for the Halifax Explosion to members of the Royal Navy.
The Empire Gallantry Medal
Empire Gallantry Medal obverse.
Origins: The Empire Gallantry Medal was created by King George V in 1922 to replace the Medal of the Order of the British Empire. While originally styled “The Medal of the Order of the British Empire (for Gallantry),” this was superseded by the more elegant sounding Empire Gallantry Medal. This medal was cancelled in 1940 and was superseded by the George Cross. In 1971 living recipients of the EGM were permitted to exchange their awards for a George Cross. Only one person associated with Canada was awarded the EGM, Aircraftsman 1st Class Ernest Frost, who served in the Royal Air Force. In total only 130 were awarded for the entire British Empire.
Criteria: Awarded for acts of gallantry.
Insignia: A circular silver medal 36 mm in diameter, the obverse depicting a seated effigy of Britannia holding a trident and circumscribed by the text FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE with GALLANTRY at the base. The reverse displays the Royal Cypher surmounted by a crown in the centre (GRIV) surrounded by four lions. The reverse of the medal was changed following the death of King George V and subsequently displayed the Royal Cypher (GRI) surmounted by a crown in the centre surrounded by two lions on each side with the text INSTITUTED BY KING GEORGE V. Recipients of the EGM wore a silver laurel branch on the ribbon and undress ribbon of the medal to signify that the award was for gallantry.
Ribbon: Same as for the British Empire Medal.
Suspender: A claw suspender composed of a trio of stylized oak leaves attached to a straight suspension bar.
Bars: The EGM could be awarded with a bar; none to Canadians.
Naming: Engraved capitals, full given name and surname.
Postnominals: EGM.
Number of Awards to Canadians: 1.
The Distinguished Conduct Medal
Distinguished Conduct Medal trophy arms obverse.
Origins: The Distinguished Conduct Medal was created during the Crimean War to recognize gallant acts rendered by soldiers and non-commissioned officers serving in the army. The DCM was created to meet the need to grant “an official gallantry medal.”[4] Queen Victoria established the DCM in 1854, and it endured a variety of changes over its nearly 150-year history. With the creation of the Victoria Cross in 1856, the DCM became the second-highest gallantry award open to those of warrant officer rank and below. A special dominion and colonial issue of the DCM was created in 1894; however, none were awarded under the regulations of the 1894 Royal Warrant, though a number of specimens are known to exist. The modern Canadian equivalent is the Star of Military Valour.
Criteria: Awarded to warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men in recognition of distinguished conduct in the field.
Insignia: A circular silver medal 36 mm in diameter; there have been six obverse types awarded to Canadians:
• Edward VII type: Edward VII uncrowned in a field marshal’s uniform circumscribed by the legend EDWARDVS VII REX IMPERATOR.
• George V 1st type: George V uncrowned in a field marshal’s uniform circumscribed by the legend GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND:IMP:.
• George V 2nd type: George V crowned in coronation robes circumscribed by the legend GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND:IMP:.
• George VI 1st type: George VI crowned circumscribed by the legend GEORGIVS VI D:G: BR: OMN: REX ET INDIAE IMP:.
• George VI 2nd type: George VI crowned circumscribed by the legend GEORGIVS VI DEI GRA: BRITT. OMN: REX FID: DEF+.
Distinguished Conduct Medal Edward VII obverse.
There were two reverse types of this medal awarded to Canadians:
• 1st type: plain with CANADA arched above the text FOR DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT IN THE FIELD displayed on 4 lines with a decorative broken line at the base.
• 2nd type: plain with the text FOR DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT IN THE FIELD displayed on 4 lines with a decorative broken line at the base.
Suspender: A swivelling claw-footed suspender with an ornate scroll bar.
Ribbon: A crimson ribbon 32 mm in width divided in the centre by a 10 mm stripe of dark blue.
Bars: A silver bar 33 mm wide with raised edge displaying laurel leaves in the centre slides on the ribbon.
Distinguished Conduct Medal George VI 1st type obverse.
Distinguished Conduct Medal reverse.
Naming: Impressed capitals, number, abbreviated rank, initials, surname, and unit.
Postnominals: DCM.
Other:
