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Category: Great Britain

The Distinguished Flying Cross and Medal (UK)

The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) was established in June 1918 for officers and warrant officers of the RAF for acts of valor and courage.

The Distinguished Flying Cross (or DFC) was established in June 1918, shortly after the formation of the Royal Air Force (RAF), for officers and warrant officers of the RAF for “an act or acts of valor, courage, or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy“.

The DFC now serves as the third-level award for all ranks of the British Armed Forces for exemplary gallantry in active operations against the enemy in the air, not to the standard required to receive the Victoria Cross or the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. All awards of the DFC are announced in the London Gazette.

In March 1941 eligibility for the DFC was extended to Naval Officers of the Fleet Air Arm, and in November 1942 to Army officers, including Royal Artillery officers serving on attachment to the RAF as pilots-cum-artillery observers. Posthumous awards were permitted from 1979. The DFC had also been awarded by Commonwealth countries but by the 1990s most had established their own honors systems and no longer recommended British honors.

Recipients are entitled to use the post-nominal letters “DFC”.

The Distinguished Flying Cross and Medal Design

The Cross

The decoration is a cross flory, 2.125 inches (54.0 mm) wide and was designed by Edward Carter Preston. The horizontal and bottom bars are terminated with bumps, the upper bar with a rose.

Its obverse features airplane propellers, superimposed on the vertical arms of the cross, and wings on the horizontal arms. In the center is a laurel wreath around the RAF monogram, surmounted by a heraldic Imperial Crown. The reverse is plain, except for a central roundel bearing the reigning monarch’s cipher and the date ‘1918’. 

The ribbon is 1.25-inch (32 mm) wide. Originally white with deep purple broad horizontal stripes, it was changed in 1919 to the current white with purple broad diagonal stripes. The ribbon bar is silver, with the Royal Air Force eagle in its center. The suspender is straight and decorated with laurel wreaths.

Originally unnamed, the WW2 crosses usually have the year of issue engraved on the reverse of the lower limb.

The Medal

The Distinguished Flying Medal is an oval struck in silver and measures 42 mm tall and 34 mm wide.

The obverse features the sovereign’s effigy, while the reverse shows Athena Nike seated on an aeroplane, with a hawk rising from her hand. The medal was originally undated, but the date 1918 was added to the reverse with the advent of George VI obverse.

The medal is suspended by a pair of wings from a straight bar. The ribbon was originally purple and white with horizontal stripes, but since July 1919 it changed to thirteen diagonal stripes alternating white and purple.

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The Imperial Service Order and Medal

The Imperial Service Order is a decoration of Great Britain established by King Edward VII in August 1902 and awarded on retirement to the administration and clerical staff of the Civil Service throughout the British Empire for long and meritorious service.

A person must have served for 25 years at home, 20 years and 6 months in India and 16 years in the tropics to become eligible. In exceptional cases, awards were made for “eminently meritorious service” irrespective of the qualifying period.

There is one class: Companion. Both men and women are eligible, as women were admitted in 1908. and recipients of this order are entitled to use the post-nominal letters ‘ISO’. No awards have been made since 1995.

The Imperial Service Medal was instituted at the same time as the ISO but was intended for junior grades of the Civil Service.

The Imperial Service Order Design

The medal is struck in silver with gold overlay and measures 61 mm high and 55 mm wide.

The insignia of the order for men is an eight-pointed silver star, with the top ray obscured by a crown; the golden central medallion bore the cipher of the reigning monarch surrounded by the legend ‘For Faithful Service‘. The medal is suspended on a ribbon of crimson with a blue central stripe. The insignia for women is the same medallion as for men, surrounded by a silver laurel wreath and topped by a crown, suspended on a bow of crimson with a blue central stripe. The medal is struck in silver and bronze, circular and measures 32 mm. In 1920 it was transformed from a silver plaque into a circular medal with the sovereign’s effigy on the obverse, and a reverse depicting a naked man resting from his labors. The exergue reads “FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE”.

The ribbon measures 38 mm wide and has three equal sections of crimson, blue and crimson.

The George VI issue comes in two types: The early ones with GRI cypher, and the later with CVIR.

The New Zealand Cross

The New Zealand Cross is a Great Britain decoration introduced on 10th March 1869 by an Order in Council, Wellington, during the New Zealand Wars, which were fought between natives of New Zealand, the Māori, and forces raised by European settlers known as Pākehā assisted by British troops. The decoration was conferred for bravery.

Because of the mistaken impression that colonial troops were not eligible for the Victoria Cross unless under command of British troops, the Governor of New Zealand, Sir George Bowen, instituted the New Zealand Cross as the highest New Zealand award. Queen Victoria eventually ratified his action.

Only 23 New Zealand Crosses were awarded, the last being authorized in 1910.

The New Zealand Cross Design

The decoration has the form of a silver (with gold apliqué) cross pattée with a six-pointed gold star on each limb. It measures 52 mm high and 38 mm wide.

The obverse bears the words ‘NEW ZEALAND’ in the center, gilded in gold and encircled by a laurel wreath. The reverse has two concentric circles with the name of the recipient engraved between the circles, and the date of the action engraved within the inner circle. For the first 20 medals cast in 1871, the reverse of the suspender clasp contains the cartouche of the goldsmith Messrs Phillips Brothers and Son of Cockspur Street, London. This cartouche was omitted from a further five medals cast in 1886.

The ribbon is crimson and passes through a silver seriffed “V” suspender clasp with small gold laurel leaves. The cross is surmounted by a Tudor Crown.

The Knight Bachelor’s Badge

The title of Knight Bachelor (KB) as introduced by King Henry III to recognize a battelier, and the KB badge authorized by George V.

The title of Knight Bachelor (KB) as introduced by King Henry III to recognize a battelier (someone who fought in battle). The badge was authorized by George V in response to a request from the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelors who wished to have a distinctive badge denoting their rank.

Knights Bachelor are the most ancient sort of British knight, but Knights Bachelor rank below knights of chivalric orders. There is no female counterpart to Knight Bachelor.

The Knight Bachelor’s Badge Design

The badge is a silver-gilt and enamel upright oval medallion enclosed by a scroll and bearing a cross-hilted sword, belted and sheathed with the pommel upwards. It’s surrounded by two spurs, rowels upwards, and a sword-belt.

Some pre-war breast badges are struck in metal. The badge measures a maximum of 76.50 millimeters high and 56.50 millimeters wide, but it was reduced in 1933 to 63.25 mm and in 1973 to 54 mm.

The ribbon measures 38 millimeters and is scarlet with broad yellow borders.

The Baronet’s Badge

The Baronet’s Badge was established in 1629 by Letter Patent by James I to recognize baronets whose knighthood became hereditary. 

Time Period: Pre-WW1
Year of Institution: 1629
Country: Great Britain

The Baronet’s Badge was established in 1629 by Letter Patent by James I to recognize baronets whose knighthood became hereditary.

In 1625, Charles I conferred on the holders of lands in Nova Scotia the title and dignity of Baronets of Nova Scotia with the title of Sir, and decreed that they should wear around their necks “an orange tawny ribbon whereon shall be pendent an escutcheon“.

English and Scottish Baronetcies ceased to be created after the Union with England in 1707, when they were replaced by baronetcies of Great Britain.

The Baronet’s Badge Design

The badge is struck in gold or silver-gilt upright oval with a plain ring suspension and measures 55 millimeters in height and either 41 or 44 millimeters in width. Originally skeletal, with a shield bearing the lion rampant of Scotland and decorated with pearls and enamels. It was surmounted by a Scottish crown and surrounded by a blue border with the inscription “FAX MENTIS HONESTAE GLORIA”.

From 1929 on, the badges have a solid ground and a central shield with the red hand of Ulster surmounted by a crown and a border of gold and blue enamel. The border is decorated with roses (England), shamrocks (Ireland), roses and thistles combined (Great Britain) or roses, shamrocks, and thistles combined (United Kingdom). The name of the recipient is usually engraved on the reverse.

The ribbon is either 30 millimeters wide orange watered silk (for Nova Scotia), or 44 millimeters orange bordered with narrow blue edges (for other Baronets).

The Order of the Companions of Honor

The Order of the Companions of Honor is an order of the Commonwealth founded in 1917 by King George V as a reward for achievements.

The Order of the Companions of Honor is an order of the Commonwealth realms founded on 4 June 1917 by King George V as a reward for outstanding achievements. The Chapel Royal at Hampton Court is now the Chapel of the Order.

The order was initially designed to be bestowed upon a select group of individuals for whom this unique distinction was deemed the most fitting form of recognition, separate from any acceptance of titles or merit classifications. The decoration is now described as “awarded for having a major contribution to the arts, science, medicine, or government lasting over a long period of time“, the first recipients were all decorated for “services in connection with the war“.

The inaugural recipients of this order were honored for their services related to the war, and their names were published in The London Gazette.

The Order's Award Criteria

Today, the Order of the Companions of Honor is awarded to those who have made a significant contribution to the arts, science, medicine, or government over an extended period.

It’s “conferred upon a limited number of persons for whom this special distinction seems to be the most appropriate form of recognition, constituting an honor disassociated either from the acceptance of title or the classification of merit.” 

The order consists of the Sovereign and a maximum 65 members. Appointments to the order are typically made based on recommendations from the prime ministers of the Commonwealth realms. Foreigners or Commonwealth citizens from outside the Commonwealth realms may be added as honorary members.

The Order of the Companions of Honor Design

The badge of the Order is struck in silver in the form of an oval medallion measuring 48 millimeters high and 29 millimeters wide. It’s surmounted by an imperial crown with a rectangular panel within, depicting on it an oak tree, a shield with the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom hanging from one branch, and, on the left, a mounted knight in armor. 

The insignia’s blue border bears, in the obverse and in gold letters the motto IN ACTION FAITHFUL AND IN HONOUR CLEAR, Alexander Pope‘s description in his Epistle to Mr Addison of James Craggs. The oval is surmounted by an imperial crown.

Men wear the badge on a neck ribbon (red with golden border threads) and women on a bow at the left shoulder. The ribbon measures 38 millimeters and is carmine with borders of gold thread.

The British Empire Medal

The British Empire Medal is a British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown.

The British Empire Medal (formally known as British Empire Medal for Meritorious Service) is a British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown. It was created in 1922 to replace the original medal, which had been established in 1917 as part of the Order of the British Empire.

Recipients are entitled to use the post-nominal letters “BEM“. The honor is divided into civil and military medals and, while recipients are not technically counted as members of the Order, these medals are nevertheless affiliated with it.

Between 1922 and 1940, the BEM was usually awarded to people below management or professional level such as to non-commissioned officers of the armed forces, officers below superintendent rank in the police, and personnel below divisional officer level in the fire services. From 1940, the BEM was awarded for acts of gallantry that did not reach the standard of the George Medal.

The British Empire Medal Design

The medal is struck in silver and measures 36 millimeters in diameter, although some specimens measure up to 37.5 millimeters. The words MERITORIOUS SERVICE are inscribed in the exergue. The medal is suspended from a straight bar ornamented with oak leaves. An emblem of crossed silver oak leaves was introduced in December 1957 to denote a gallantry award.

Like the ribbons used for other classes of the Order of the British Empire, the ribbon of the British Empire Medal is rose-pink with pearl-grey edges, with the addition of a pearl-grey central stripe for the military division.

The Empire Gallantry Medal

The Empire Gallantry Medal (or EGM), was a British medal awarded for acts of the gallantry introduced it on 29 December 1922.

The Medal of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for Gallantry, or Empire Gallantry Medal (EGM), was a British medal awarded for acts of the gallantry introduced it on 29 December 1922, when the original Medal of the Order of the British Empire was split into two.

The Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Gallantry (EGM) awarded for acts of gallantry. Shortly after the commencement of the Blitz, King George VI created the George Cross to recognize gallantry by men and women in all walks of civilian life. It was to rank immediately after the Victoria Cross.

Recipients were entitled to use the post-nominal letters “EGM” and were divided into military and civil divisions. The Empire Gallantry Medal was revoked by Royal Warrant on 24 September 1940.

The Empire Gallantry Medal Design

The phrase “For God and the Empire” was inscribed around the upper side of the obverse. The first type of reverse had six lions, with the Royal Cypher centered. The 2nd type of reverse had four lions, two on either side of the Royal Cypher.

The original ribbon was plain purple, with the addition of a thin vertical red stripe for military awards. A silver laurel branch was added diagonally to the ribbon for both types of the award in 1933. The ribbon changed to rose pink with pearl-grey edges in July 1937, with an additional pearl grey vertical stripe for military awards, and stayed in this version until its revocation.

The medal and ribbon were designed first by Langford Jones.

The Royal Victorian Order

The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood established in 1896 by Queen Victoria for distinguished service to the monarch.

The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood established in 1896 by Queen Victoria to recognize distinguished personal service to the monarch of the Commonwealth realms, members of the monarch’s family, or to any viceroy or senior representative of the monarch. There is no limit on the number of individuals honored at any grade, and admission remains at the sole discretion of the monarch.

The reigning monarch is at the apex of the Royal Victorian Order as its Sovereign, followed by the Grand Master. The Order has five grades and one medal with three levels representing different levels of service. All those honored may use the prescribed styles of the order. The order’s motto is Victoria, and its official day is 20 June and its chapel is the Savoy Chapel in London.

The grades are as follows:

  • Knight / Dame Grand Cross.
  • Knight / Dame Commander.
  • Commander.
  • Lieutenant.
  • Member.

The Royal Victorian Order Design

The badge of the Order is a Maltese cross with a central medallion depicting on a red background the Royal Cypher of Queen Victoria, surrounded by a blue ring bearing the motto of the order—VICTORIA—and surmounted by a Tudor crown and worn on a sash depending on the grade. For Knights and Dames Grand Cross, Commanders, and Lieutenants, the Maltese cross is rendered in white enamel with gold edging, while that for Knights and Dames Commander and Members is in silver. The size of the badge also varies by rank, that for the higher classes being larger.

The medal bears the effigy and name of the reigning sovereign at the time of its awarding, as well as the phrase DEI • GRATIA • REGINA (or REX) • F.D. (by the grace of God, Queen (or King), Defender of the Faith), and on the reverse is the Royal Cypher upon an ornamental shield within a laurel wreath.

The ribbon is blue with red-white-red stripe edging, and at formal events, or collar days, Knights and Dames Grand Cross wear the Royal Victorian Order’s livery collar, consisting of an alternating string of octagonal gold pieces.

The Imperial Order of the Crown of India

The Imperial Order of the Crown of India is an order established by Queen Victoria in 1878 when she became Empress of India.

The Imperial Order of the Crown of India is an order in the British honors system open only to women and established by Queen Victoria in 1878 when she became Empress of India. The members of the Order could use the post-nominal letters “CI“, but did not acquire any special precedence or status due to it.

No additional appointments have been made since the Partition of India in 1947. The Order was limited to British princesses, wives or female relatives of Indian princes and the wife or female relatives of any person who held the office of:

  • Viceroy of India,
  • Governor of Madras,
  • Governor of Bombay,
  • Governor of Bengal,
  • Commander-in-Chief India,
  • Secretary of State for India,
  • Governor-General of India.

Queen Elizabeth II is the last surviving former member (now Sovereign) of the Order. Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester was the last ordinary member at the time of her death in 2004.

The Imperial Order of the Crown of India Design

The badge of the Order includes Queen Victoria’s Imperial Cypher, VRI (“Victoria Regina Imperatrix”). The letters were set in diamonds, pearls, and turquoises and were together surrounded by a border of pearls, surrounded by an oval frame and surmounted by a figure of the Imperial Crown.

The badge was worn attached to a light blue silk bow, with narrow white stripes towards the edges, on the left shoulder.