A brief guide to British awards for special performance in 1914-1918. See also campaign medals.

Victoria Cross (VC)

The supreme British award for gallantry in the face of the enemy, which was established in 1856 and is still awarded today. 633 VC's were awarded during the war, of which two only were bars (second awards to a man who already had a VC): Arthur Martin-Leake (who won his VC before the war) and Noel Chavasse (who won the award in 1916 and posthumously in 1917), who were both medical officers. Each award of the VC followed a regimental-level recommendation, that had to be supported by three independent eye-witness accounts. The recommendation was escalated, with the final submission and approval being by the Secretary of State for War, and HM the King.

They have been extensively researched and many publications cover the men and actions that led to the awards. Perhaps the best modern volumes are the series edited (and in some cases written) by Gerald Gliddon, titled VC's of the First World War; a superb internet resource can be found at Victoria Cross Reference.

All awards of the VC were announced in the London Gazette, with a citation.

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

A high award for meritorious or distinguished service, rather than an act of gallantry, although in many cases during 1914-1918 it is not easy to discriminate between these two reasons for granting an award; in fact in some cases it appears that a DSO was awarded when perhaps a full recommendation for a VC could not be justified or corroborated. In existence since 1886, for officers who were not eligible for an award of the CB (Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath): however, after the establishment of the award of the Military Cross, it was unusual for a DSO to be awarded to an officer with a rank below Major.

All awards of the DSO were announced in the London Gazette, usually with a citation, although awards made as part of the Birthday or New Year's honours were made for reasons of meritorious service and do not usually have a citation.

A very detailed reference book, detailing each award, is "The Distinguished Service Order" by General Sir O'Moore Creagh.

Military Cross (MC)

First instituted on 28th December 1914 as an award for gallantry or meritorious service, for officers with the rank of Captain and below, and for Warrant Officers (NCO's with warrant - at the time, this was only a Regimental Sergeant-Major) and, in August 1916, it became possible to award a bar or bars to the MC, for repeated acts of gallantry. A rosette worn with the medal ribbon denoted the bar.

All awards of the MC were announced in the London Gazette, usually with a citation, although awards made as part of the Birthday or New Year's honours were made for reasons of meritorious service and do not usually have a citation.

37,081 MC's were awarded; in addition 2,992* men were awarded a bar to the MC; 176 a second bar; and 4 men ( Capt. P. Bentley [KOYLI]; Lieut. H. Gilkes [21st Bn, London Regiment]; T/Capt. C. Timms [RAMC]; 2/Lieut. F. Wallington [RFA]) a third bar.

* Data differs according to source: 2,992 according to J.V.Webb's "Recipients of bars to the Military Cross"; 2,983 according to Abbott & Tamplin's "British Gallantry Awards"

Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)

First instituted in 1854 as an award for distinguished service in the field, for Warrant Officers, NCO's and other ranks.

All awards of the DCM were announced in the London Gazette, usually with a citation, although awards made as part of the Birthday or New Year's honours do not always one.

A very detailed reference is "Recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal 1914-1920" by R. W. Walker, published 1980. A veterans group, called the DCM League,existed after the war.

Military Medal (MM)

First instituted in March 1916 as an award for distinguished service in the field, for Warrant Officers, NCO's and other ranks. The award of an MM was also possible for women.

All awards of the MM were announced in the London Gazette, usually with no citation.

Meritorious Service Medal (MSM)

This award was originally for long-service or acts of particular merit; from 1916 it was also for gallantry or meritorious service when not in face of the enemy.

The latter awards ("Immediate MSM's") were announced in the London Gazette.

Mentioned in Despatches (MiD)

This is the lowest form of recognition that was announced in the London Gazette. Originally there was no award as such, the literal mention of the individual in the Commander-in-Chief's despatch being deemed sufficient. However, eventually it was decided that an oakleaf emblem could be worn with the ribbon of the Victory Medal, denoting the mention.

The mentioned man also received a certificate carrying his service details and a reference to the despatch in which he was mentioned. No complete index or register of those who were MiD exists, although the Public Record Office has a partial list. The mention did not entitle the man to use the letters MiD after his name for official purposes, although this form is seen from time to time.

The Albert Medal

An award for acts of bravery or heroism in "preventing accidents in mines, on railways, and at fires, and from other perils on the shore". There was also a seaborne type.

All awards to army personnel are listed on this site.