of the “trophy of arms” DCM is known to have sold at public auction; however, further details of this medal are not known. The CANADA reverse is only known to have been issued as specimens. The George V 2nd type was issued to a very small number of Canadians who earned the DCM during the First World War and had their medals replaced (due to loss or theft) during the 1930s. No Elizabeth II issues of this medal were awarded to Canadians. In 1993 the British replaced this decoration with the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.
Number of Awards to Canadians: 2,132, 38 1st bars and 1 2nd bar.
• South Africa: 16.
• First World War: 1,947 (36 1st bars; 1 2nd bar).
• Second World War: 162 (1 1st bar).
• Korean War: 7 (1 1st bar).
The Conspicuous Gallantry Medals
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal George V obverse.
Origins: The Conspicuous Gallantry Medal was established by Queen Victoria initially in 1855 as a modified version of the Meritorious Service Medal with a special reverse displaying the text FOR CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY. Initially, this medal was awarded only to ratings and petty officers of the Royal Navy and the equivalent ranks in the Royal Marines for conspicuous gallantry during the Crimean War but was discontinued after the establishment of the Victoria Cross in 1856. The decoration was revived in 1874 toward the end of the Ashanti War. Being one grade below the Victoria Cross, very few were awarded.
A Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Air) was established on January 15, 1943, to fill the gap of recognition that existed for non-commissioned officers and airmen between the Distinguished Flying Medal and the Victoria Cross. While the navy had the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Sea) and the army the Distinguished Conduct Medal, there was no 2nd-level gallantry award for those serving in the various Commonwealth air forces. It is no coincidence that this decoration was created during one of the most intense periods of air operations in the history of modern warfare. The Star of Military Valour has replaced the CGM (see chapter 18).
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal for Air George VI obverse.
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal reverse.
Criteria: Dependent on branch of service. For the navy it was awarded to recognize seamen and non-commissioned officers who distinguished themselves by acts of conspicuous gallantry in action with the enemy. For the air force it was awarded to recognize airmen and non-commissioned officers who distinguished themselves by acts of conspicuous gallantry while flying in active operations against the enemy.
Insignia: A circular silver medal 36 mm in diameter, the obverse carrying a crowned effigy of King George VI circumscribed by the legend GEORGIVS VI D:G: BR: OMN: REX ET INDIAE IMP:. The reverse displays a Victorian-style Royal Crown at the top and the text FOR CONSPICUIOUS GALLANTRY on three lines with a small decorative broken line at the bottom, the entire text and crown encompassed between two branches of a laurel wreath.
Suspender: A swivelling claw-footed suspender with a straight bar.
Ribbon: Two separate ribbons were issued with this medal, the colour of ribbon being dependent on whether the medal was bestowed for action at sea or in the air.
• Sea: A white ribbon 32 mm wide edged with 3 mm of dark blue on each side.
• Air: A pale blue ribbon 32 mm wide edged with 3 mm of dark blue on each side.
Bars: None to Canadians.
Naming: Engraved or impressed capitals, number, abbreviated rank, initials, surname, and RCN or RCAF.
Postnominals: CGM.
Other: In 1993 the British replaced this decoration with the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.
Number of Awards to Canadians: 21 (2 sea and 19 flying). All Second World War Awards.
The Royal Red Cross
Royal Red Cross George V obverse.
Origins: Created by Queen Victoria in April 1883 to reward nurses serving in military theatres or settings, the decoration was expanded to include a junior award, known as the Associate Royal Red Cross, in 1915. In 1917 provisions were made for the bestowal of a bar to the Royal Red Cross (holders of the Associate Royal Red Cross are promoted to the RRC in place of receiving a bar). The 1st class is formally known as a Member of the Royal Red Cross, while the 2nd class is formally known as an Associate of the Royal Red Cross.
Associate Royal Red Cross George V obverse.
Throughout the late Victorian period there was a gradual professionalization of the military medical services, which had largely been attached to naval and military organizations in an ad hoc manner up to this point. The pre-eminent role of women in providing nursing services — one of the most notable being Florence Nightingale during the Crimean War — required that an appropriate reward be developed to recognize the special services and skills rendered by women in medical care provision roles. Men were, of course, eligible for a host of gallantry decorations and appointment to various orders in recognition of their service; however, women were largely omitted from the honours system, a trend that began to change with the establishment of the Royal Red Cross, and later the Order of the British Empire, which was from the outset bestowed upon both sexes.
Associate Royal Red Cross reverse.
Criteria: Awarded to those who have shown exceptional devotion and competency in the performance of nursing duties over a continuous and long period of time, or who have performed some very exceptional acts of bravery and devotion at their posts of duty. The Royal Red Cross (Member) was awarded to fully trained nurses of an officially recognized nursing service, with the overall membership limited to a maximum of 2 percent of the total nurses serving, while the Associate of the Royal Red Cross (Associate) in addition to being open to fully trained nurses was also open to assistant nurses, nurse probationers, Voluntary Aid Detachment personnel, and those serving in a recognized nursing service. The overall membership of the ARRC was limited to a maximum of 5 percent of the total nurses serving. Until 1976 both awards were limited to women only. Appointments to the Order of Military Merit or the Meritorious Service Decorations are the equivalent modern awards.
Insignia: Member of the Royal Red Cross: a gold cross pattée 35 mm in width, the obverse enamelled in translucent red bearing in the centre the effigy of the reigning Sovereign. The reverse carries on each arm one of the words FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY, with the date 1883 on the lowermost arm. The reverse is plain other than the Royal Cypher of the reigning Sovereign, which is displayed in the centre.
Associate
