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 centre of the reverse carries the Royal Cypher of the reigning Sovereign.
There have been three obverse types awarded to Canadians (both RRC and ARRC):
• Victoria veiled effigy.
• George V uncrowned effigy.
• George VI uncrowned effigy.
There have been four reverse types awarded to Canadians (both RRC and ARRC):
• Victoria: VRI.
• George V: GRI.
• George VI 1st type: GRI.
• George VI 2nd type: GVIR.
Suspender: A ring is attached to an eyelet mounted on top of the insignia. Through this ring passes a sewn piece of ribbon that is affixed to the bow.
Ribbon: A garter blue ribbon 26 mm side edged on each wide with 6 mm of red.
Bars: A gold bar with red enamel.
Naming: None. Insignia awarded after 1939 are engraved with the year of the award on the reverse.
Postnominals: RRC or ARRC.
Other: All insignia awarded to Canadians were manufactured by Garrard & Co.
Number of Awards to Canadians: 124 RRC and 4 1st bars, 410 ARRC.
• Royal Red Cross
ɣ South Africa: 1.
ɣ First World War: 66, 4 1st bars.
ɣ Second World War: 56.
ɣ Korean War: 1.
• Associate Royal Red Cross
ɣ First World War: 275, 17 elevations.
ɣ Second World War: 134, 3 elevations.
ɣ Korean War: 1, 1 elevation to RRC.
The Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross George VI 1st type obverse.
Distinguished Service Cross reverse.
Origins: Originally styled “The Conspicuous Service Cross,” this decoration was created in 1901 to recognize subordinate officers and warrant officers serving in the naval forces for distinguished services in the face of the enemy. The criteria were changed in 1914 to make all officers holding the rank of lieutenant-commander and below eligible for the decoration. A bar was instituted in 1916. Until 1918 the DSC was also used to recognize those serving in the Royal Naval Air Service. The modern Canadian equivalent is the Medal of Military Valour.
Criteria: To recognize those who render meritorious or distinguished services in the face of the enemy.
Insignia: A matte silver cross pattée 40 mm in width bearing the Royal Cypher in the centre circumscribed by a raised circle. There have been three obverse types awarded to Canadians:
• George V issue: GRI in script.
• George VI 1st type: GRI in block letters.
• George VI 2nd type: GVIR in script.
• Elizabeth II issue: EIIR in block letters.
The reverse is plain, occasionally found with British sterling hallmarks impressed on the lower arm.
Suspender: An eyelet is mounted on top of the cross through which passes a heavy gauge ring 19 mm in diameter through which the ribbon passes.
Ribbon: A navy blue ribbon 35 mm wide with a central white stripe 11 mm wide.
Bars: A plain matte silver bar with ends flared in the same fashion as the DSC insignia, with a Tudor Crown in the centre.
Naming: None, though privately engraved examples do exist. Insignia and bars presented after 1940 are dated with the year of the award on the lower part of the reverse.
Postnominals: DSC.
Other: Insignia awarded to Canadians were all made by Garrard & Co. or Spink & Son.
Number of Awards to Canadians: 131 (14 1st bars, 3 2nd bars).
• First World War: 1.
• Second World War: 121 (17 1st bars, 3 2nd bars).
• Korean War: 9 (1 1st bar).
The Military Cross
Military Cross George VI 1st type obverse.
Origins: The Military Cross was established by King George V in December 1914 to recognize distinguished and meritorious services rendered by officers holding the rank of captain or below and warrant officers. Until 1918 the MC was also used to recognize those serving in the Royal Flying Corps.
Criteria: For distinguished and meritorious service. In 1920 the Royal Warrant was changed to specify that the MC could only be given for gallant and distinguished services in action. This was in part in response to the fact that during the First World War a number of MCs were bestowed upon officers for services not necessarily rendered in the face of the enemy. The modern Canadian equivalent is the Medal of Military Valour.
Insignia: A plain silver cross 45 mm wide and tall bearing at the end of each arm a Tudor Crown, the centre of the cross displaying a smaller cross and the Royal Cypher. Four different obverse types have been awarded to Canadians:
• George V issue: GRI (overlapping Royal Cypher).
• George VI 1st type: GRI (letters side by each).
• George VI 2nd type: GVIR.
• Elizabeth II issue: EIIR.
The reverse of the insignia is plain. It is believed that the MC was designed by King George V.
Military
