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The Distinguished Service Order

The Distinguished Service Order (DSO) is a United Kingdom military decoration awarded for distinguished service during wartime.

The Distinguished Service Order (DSO) is one of the highest military decorations awarded by the United Kingdom, primarily for acts of meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime.

Instituted in 1886 by Queen Victoria and typically awarded to officers ranked major, the first DSOs awarded were dated 25 November 1886. Recipients of the order are officially known as Companions of the Distinguished Service Order and are entitled to use the post-nominal letters “DSO”.

The DSO is typically awarded to officers ranked Major and above for meritorious or distinguished service in combat or other significant contributions to military operations. It is often awarded for leadership, courage, and exceptional service under fire.

 Over the years, the DSO has been awarded to numerous officers for their outstanding leadership, gallantry, and devotion to duty in various conflicts, including World War I, World War II, and subsequent military operations. During the First World War, 8,981 DSOs were awarded, each award being announced in The London Gazette.

The Distinguished Service Order Precedence and Clasps

The DSO ranks below only the Victoria Cross (VC) and the George Cross (GC) in the order of precedence for British military decorations. It is considered a prestigious honor and is highly respected within the military community.

In addition to the standard DSO, there are several variants and clasps that may be awarded in recognition of additional acts of distinguished service or multiple awards.

The Distinguished Service Order Design

The DSO is a cross patonce, which means it has arms that narrow towards the center and end in a floriated decoration. It is crafted from silver gilt, enameled white and edged in gold.

In the obverse and the center, within a wreath of green laurel, is the imperial crown in gold upon a red enameled background. The reverse shows the royal cypher in gold upon a red enameled ground, within a wreath of laurel, enameled green. 

The ribbon of the DSO is crimson with narrow dark blue edges.

The Mercantile Marine War Medal

The Mercantile Marine War Medal was awarded by the Board of Trade of the United Kingdom to mariners of the Merchant Navy during WW1.

The Mercantile Marine War Medal was awarded by the Board of Trade of the United Kingdom to mariners of the Merchant Navy for one or more voyages through a war or danger zone during the course of the First World War.

During the period between 5 August 1914 and the armistice of 11 November 1918, 2,479 British merchant vessels and 675 British fishing vessels were lost as a result of enemy action. 14,287 and 434 lives were lost. Along with the medal, the next-of-kin of those men and women who lost their lives as a result of enemy action, were presented with a memorial plaque and memorial scroll.

The Mercantile Marine War Medal Design

The design of the medal is a disk, struck in bronze and measuring 36 millimeters in diameter. The straight clasp non-swiveling suspender is attached to the medal with a single-toe claw mount and a pin.

The obverse is (like the British War Medal) shows Sir Bertram Mackennal’s bareheaded effigy of King George V facing left, and the legend “GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:”. The reverse shows a merchant steamship plowing through heavy seas, with an enemy submarine sinking on port side and a sailing ship in the background.

The text of the condolence slip which accompanied the plaque reads: “Buckingham Palace. I send you this Memorial on behalf of my people and myself. We all desire that the brave and loyal service of the Mercantile Marine in war-time shall be gratefully recorded, and that the names of those who gave their lives for us shall be handed down with honor from one generation to another. (Signed) George RI“.

The recipient’s name is impressed on the rim in sans-serif capital letters and the first given name is often in full.

The Territorial Force War Medal

The Territorial Force War Medal is a campaign medal awarded to members of the British Territorial Force and Nursing Service from WW1.

Time Period: The Great War

Year of Institution: April 1920
Country: Great Britain

The Territorial Force War Medal is a campaign medal awarded to members of the British Territorial Force and Territorial Force Nursing Service who volunteered or served overseas on or before 30 September 1914 and is the rarest of the five British Great War medals.

Those who received the award had to have been serving with the Force on 4 August 1914 or have completed four years service with the Force before 4 August 1914 and rejoined on or before 30 September 1914. They also had to not have qualified for the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star.

A total of 33,944 Territorial Force War Medals were awarded, including 227 to nurses of the Territorial Force Nursing Service (the only women to receive the medal).

The Territorial Force War Medal Design

The medal is a circular, made of bronze and measures 36mm (1.42 in) in diameter.

The obverse shows a King George V bareheaded effigy, facing left, with the legend: “GEORGIVS V BRITT : OMN : REX ET IND : IMP :“. The reverse displays a wreath with the text “FOR / VOLUNTARY / SERVICE / OVERSEAS / 1914-19′ in the center, and ‘TERRITORIAL WAR MEDAL” around the upper outer edge.

The ribbon is yellow with two green stripes and measures 32 mm (1.25 in) wide. The suspender is a straight bar.

The Military Cross

The Military Cross (MC) is the third-level military decoration awarded for acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations.

The Military Cross (MC) is a prestigious third-level military decoration awarded in recognition of “an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land to all members, of any rank in Our Armed Forces.”

It is awarded to officers of the British Armed Forces and Commonwealth forces for acts of exemplary gallantry and leadership in combat and it’s one of the highest awards for bravery and valor that an officer can receive. The Military Cross is also open to officers of all ranks, including commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, and warrant officers.

The award was created on 28 December 1914 for commissioned officers of the substantive rank of Captain or below and for Warrant Officers. In August 1916, Bars were awarded to the MC in recognition of the performance of further acts of gallantry meriting the award and recipients of a bar continue to use postnominal letters MC. In 1931 the award was extended to Majors and also to members of the Royal Air Force for actions on the ground.

Military Cross Awardees

During World War I, Acting Captain Francis Wallington of the Royal Field Artillery was the first person to be awarded the MC. Throughout its history, though, the Military Cross has been awarded in various conflicts, including both World Wars and more recent military operations. Recipients of the Military Cross are recognized for their exceptional bravery and leadership in the service of their country.

Here are five individuals who have received the Military Cross:

  1. Captain Charles Upham – He was a New Zealand soldier who received the Military Cross twice during World War II for his bravery and leadership in the Battle of Crete and the North African campaign.

  2. Captain Tom Moore – Captain Tom Moore, a British Army officer, was awarded the Military Cross during World War II for his outstanding courage and service in the Burma Campaign.

  3. Lieutenant Colonel Herbert “H” Jones – He received the Military Cross posthumously during the Falklands War in 1982 for his exceptional leadership and bravery during the Battle of Goose Green.

  4. Captain Guy Gibson – Captain Gibson was a British Royal Air Force pilot who was awarded the Military Cross for his leadership in the famous “Dambusters” raid during World War II.

  5. Major Charles Whittlesey – An American officer, Major Whittlesey was awarded the Military Cross for his valor during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in World War I.

The Military Cross Design

The Military Cross measures 46 mm max height and 44 mm max width, and shows an ornamental silver cross with straight arms terminating in broad finials.

The obverse is decorated with imperial crowns and the Royal Cypher in the center. The reverse is plain, but from 1938 the name of the recipient and year of issue has been engraved on the lower limb of the cross.

The ribbon for the Military Cross is 32 mm wide and shows three vertical moire stripes of white, purple, and white, all of the same width.

  • Military Cross Without Bar
  • Military Cross With One Bar
  • Military Cross With Two Bars

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The 1914-15 Star

The 1914–15 Star is a British Empire campaign medal awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial forces during the First World War.

The 1914–15 Star is a British Empire campaign medal awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who had served in any theatre of the First World War against the Central European Powers during 1914 and 1915.

Excluded from eligibility for the medal were the people who had already qualified for the award of the 1914 Star, the Africa General Service Medal, and the Khedive’s Sudan Medal of 1910.

The medal was never awarded singly, and recipients were also awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

The 1914-15 Star Awardees

Some 2,366,000 medals were awarded to soldiers and supporting personnel of British military forces and the various forces of the British Dominions, India, and the Colonies. The 1914-15 Star was awarded to a significant number of British and Imperial servicemen who served in specified theaters of World War I, particularly those who served in France and Belgium during the early years of the conflict.

While many received this medal, here are five notable individuals who received the 1914-15 Star:

  1. Winston Churchill: Winston Churchill, who would later become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during World War II, served as First Lord of the Admiralty during World War I. He received the 1914-15 Star for his service in the Royal Navy during the conflict.

  2. T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia): Thomas Edward Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, served as a British liaison officer in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. He received the 1914-15 Star for his contributions to this campaign.

  3. John McCrae: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae was a Canadian physician and soldier best known for writing the famous war poem “In Flanders Fields.” He served as a medical officer and received the 1914-15 Star for his service on the Western Front.

  4. Douglas Haig: Field Marshal Douglas Haig was the commander of the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front during World War I. He played a significant role in the early years of the conflict and received the 1914-15 Star for his leadership.

  5. Wilfred Owen: Wilfred Owen is a renowned English poet known for his powerful and poignant war poetry. He received the 1914-15 Star for his service as a soldier on the Western Front, an experience that profoundly influenced his poetry.

The 1914-15 Star Design

The medal is a four-pointed star of bright bronze, ensigned with a crown. It measures 50 millimeters high (62 millimeters including the ring suspension) and 44 millimeters wide.

The central motif of the 1914-15 Star’s obverse features a large, raised, and five-pointed star with the year “1914” on the top arm and “1915” on the bottom arm, separated by a horizontal scroll-like line. The years represent the time period for which the medal was awarded, covering the early years of World War I. There are also two crossed gladii (swords) with their blades upwards and overlaid by a wreath of oak leaves. In the center of the star, beneath the year “1915,” there is a royal cipher. The cipher typically consists of the reigning monarch’s initials.

The reverse is plain, unadorned, and is impressed with the recipient’s number, rank, and name.

Suspension: The medal is attached to a ribbon by a small ring at the top of the star. This ribbon is used to wear the medal, typically on the left breast. 

Ribbon: The ribbon for the 1914-15 Star is a watered ribbon with a central red stripe flanked by two narrow white stripes, which are themselves flanked by two narrow blue stripes. The red stripe represents the British Army, the blue stripes the Royal Navy, and the white stripes the French Republic. The combination of these colors symbolizes the cooperation between British and French forces in the theaters of operation for which the medal was awarded.

Related Medals

The ‘Pip’, ‘Squeak’, and ‘Wilfred’ medals were British military decorations established during World War I. The Pip Squeak was the 1914 Star, the Wilfred was the British War Medal, and the Pip was the Victory Medal. 

WW1 Medals and Awards: The 1914 Star

The 1914 Star

The 1914 Star, ‘Mons’ Star or ‘Pip’ is a British Empire campaign medal instituted in 1917 and presented for service during World War I.

Read More »

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The Victoria Cross

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest United Kingdom honors system award. It is given for gallantry in the presence of the enemy.

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest award of the United Kingdom honors system. It is awarded for gallantry “in the presence of the enemy” to members of the British armed forces, and it can be awarded posthumously.

Since the first awards were presented by Queen Victoria in 1857, two-thirds of all awards have been personally presented by the British monarch, usually at Buckingham Palace. Before the Crimean War (when it was introduced), there was no official standardized system for recognition of gallantry within the British armed forces.

A single company of jewelers, Hancocks of London, has been responsible for the production of every VC awarded since its inception. 

Since its establishment, the Victoria Cross has been awarded approximately 1,360 times to individuals or groups of recipients. The medal has been awarded for actions in various conflicts and wars, including World War I, World War II, and more recent conflicts. Recipients come from a diverse range of military backgrounds and countries within the Commonwealth. A total of 1,358 Victoria Crosses have been awarded since 1856 to 1,355 men.

The History of the Victoria Cross

The Victoria Cross was established on January 29, 1856, during the reign of Queen Victoria.

It was introduced by a Royal Warrant to recognize acts of valor by members of the British military during the Crimean War (1854-1856). The VC was intended to honor acts of bravery and self-sacrifice in the face of the enemy.

Eligibility of the Victoria Cross

The Victoria Cross is awarded for most conspicuous bravery or acts of valor in the presence of the enemy. It can be awarded to members of the British armed forces, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as to civilians serving with military forces.

The VC is a rare and prestigious award, with recipients demonstrating exceptional courage and selflessness in combat.

The Victoria Cross Design

The Victoria Cross is a bronze straight-armed cross pattee measuring 38 mm across, with raised edges.

On the obverse, it bears a lion guardant standing upon the Royal Crown, and below the Crown, a scroll bearing the inscription “PRO VALORE”. On the reverse is the date of the act for which the decoration is bestowed is engraved in a raised circle.

The Cross is suspended by means of a plain link from a V below a straight bar ornamented with laurel leaves.

The ribbon is crimson and measures 38 millimeters in width. 

Further Reading About the Victoria Cross

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The Inter Allied Victory Medal (Great Britain)

The Victory Medal (also known as Inter-Allied Victory Medal) is a United Kingdom and British Empire First World War campaign medal.

The Victory Medal (also known as Inter-Allied Victory Medal) is a United Kingdom and British Empire First World War campaign medal. The medal was not awarded single, but to all those who received the 1914 Star or the 1914–15 Star, and to most of those who were awarded the British War Medal.

The three First World War medals, either one of the 1914 Star or the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, were collectively irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred, after three comic strip characters, a dog, a penguin and a rabbit, which were popular in the immediate post-war era.

Recipients had to be mobilized for war service in the United Kingdom or the British Empire, in any service, and to have entered a theatre of war between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918 to qualify for the Victory Medal. Women qualified for service in nursing homes and other auxiliary forces. It was also awarded to members of the British Naval mission to Russia 1919 – 1920, and for mine clearance in the North Sea between 11 November 1918 and 30 November 1919.

The Victory Medal issued within the British Empire was a result of an international agreement at the Inter-allied Peace Conference preceding the Treaty of Versailles. Some 6,334,522+ medals were awarded in Great Britain.

The UK Inter-Allied Victory Medal Design

The Victory Medal measures 36 millimeters (1.4 in) in diameter and was designed by William McMillan. The design and ribbon was also adopted by Belgium, Brazil, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Romania, Siam, Union of South Africa and the USA. Each allied nation would design a ‘Victory Medal’ for award to their own nationals, all issues having certain common features, including a winged figure of victory on the obverse and the same ribbon.

The obverse of the medal shows the winged, full-length, full-front, figure of ‘Victory‘ with her left arm extended and holding a palm branch in her right hand. The reverse shows the words ‘THE GREAT / WAR FOR / CIVILISATION / 1914-1919‘  surrounded by a laurel wreath.

The 39 millimeters (1.5 in) wide watered ribbon has an iridescent color scheme, with the violet moving through to a central red stripe where both schemes meet. It attaches to the medal through a ring suspender. The recipient’s name, rank, service number and unit were impressed on the edge of the medal. The name of the regiment or corps was omitted on medals awarded to Army officers.

Related Medals

The ‘Pip’, ‘Squeak’, and ‘Wilfred’ medals were British military decorations established during World War I. The Pip Squeak was the 1914 Star, the Wilfred was the British War Medal, and the Pip was the Victory Medal. 

WW1 Medals and Awards: The 1914-15 Star

The 1914-15 Star

The 1914–15 Star is a British Empire campaign medal awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial forces during the First World War.

Read More »
WW1 Medals and Awards: The 1914 Star

The 1914 Star

The 1914 Star, ‘Mons’ Star or ‘Pip’ is a British Empire campaign medal instituted in 1917 and presented for service during World War I.

Read More »

All the Inter-Allied Victory Medal Variations

Although each country designed its own version of the Inter-Allied Victory Medal, all of them shared some common elements, such as a winged victory figure on the obverse and a similar ribbon with rainbow colors symbolizing unity among the Allies. Here are the versions for all countries:

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The 1914-1920 British War Medal

The 1914-1920 British War Medal (also known as ‘Squeak’) is a British Empire campaign medal presented for service during World War I.

The 1914-1920 British War Medal (also known as ‘Squeak’) is a British Empire campaign medal presented for service during World War I.

The British War Medal was instituted on 1919 for those who had rendered service between 5 August 1914, the day following the British declaration of war against the German Empire, and the armistice of 11 November 1918. The British War Medal could be awarded to all officers and men of British and Imperial forces who had served for the prescribed period or who had died on active service before its completion. 

The trio of First World War medals (the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal) were collectively referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred, after comic strip characters that were popular in the immediate post-war era. Squeak represented the British War Medal.

Some 6,610,000 medals were awarded, 6,500,000 struck in silver and 110,000 struck in bronze. 427,993 medals were awarded to Canadians who served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

The History of the Distinguished Service Cross

The medal is a silver or bronze disk, with a diameter of 36 millimeters and a straight clasp suspender without swivel. The medal was designed by W. McMillan and struck by the Royal Mint.

The recipient’s name, rank, service number and unit are impressed on the bottom edge of the medal.

The obverse shows an effigy of King George V facing left and the legend “GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:”. The reverse shows Saint George naked on horseback and armed with a short sword.

Related Medals

The ‘Pip’, ‘Squeak’, and ‘Wilfred’ medals were British military decorations established during World War I. The Pip Squeak was the 1914 Star, the Wilfred was the British War Medal, and the Pip was the Victory Medal. 

WW1 Medals and Awards: The 1914-15 Star

The 1914-15 Star

The 1914–15 Star is a British Empire campaign medal awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial forces during the First World War.

Read More »
WW1 Medals and Awards: The 1914 Star

The 1914 Star

The 1914 Star, ‘Mons’ Star or ‘Pip’ is a British Empire campaign medal instituted in 1917 and presented for service during World War I.

Read More »

The 1914 Star

The 1914 Star, ‘Mons’ Star or ‘Pip’ is a British Empire campaign medal instituted in 1917 and presented for service during World War I.

The 1914 Star (also known as the ‘Mons’ Star) is a British Empire campaign medal presented for service during World War I.

The 1914 Star was instituted in 1917 and awarded to the officers and men of the British forces who served in France or Belgium between 5 August and midnight on the 22/23 November 1914 (the day after Britain’s declaration of war against the Central Powers, and the closing date marks the end of the First Battle of Ypres).

The majority of recipients were officers and men of the pre-war British army, specifically the British Expeditionary Force (the ‘Old Contemptibles’), who landed in France soon after the outbreak of the war and who took part in the retreat from Mons.

The 1914 Star Design

The medal is a four-pointed star of bright bronze, ensigned with a crown, with a height of 50 millimeters (2.0 in) and a width of 44 millimeters (1.7 in). The obverse has two crossed gladii (swords) with their blades upwards. The reverse is plain and is impressed with the recipient’s number, rank, name and regiment or unit.

About 365,622 medals were awarded. In most instances, recipients of this medal also received the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Related Medals

The ‘Pip’, ‘Squeak’, and ‘Wilfred’ medals were British military decorations established during World War I. The Pip Squeak was the 1914 Star, the Wilfred was the British War Medal, and the Pip was the Victory Medal. 

WW1 Medals and Awards: The 1914-15 Star

The 1914-15 Star

The 1914–15 Star is a British Empire campaign medal awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial forces during the First World War.

Read More »