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Dr Stuart C Blank Presents Military Archive Research Member of the Orders & Medals Research Society
(OMRS)
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 South Africa 1879 medal |
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Entitlement to British Gallantry Awards In the early 1990's the British Government under Prime Minister John Major changed the British Honours System. These changes removed awards that were previously designated for other ranks only and both officers and other ranks became eligible for the same awards. This is similar to the Victoria Cross which had always been awarded to all ranks. By removing the distinction of rank, all ranks across all services had an identical structure of awards. Therefore this page is split:
Who was Eligible for Which Medals Before 1995
Alphabetical List of British Gallantry Medals The following seven gallantry medals were no longer awarded:
The Air Force Cross became a non-operational gallantry award and no longer awarded for meritorious service. For meritorious service the OBE or MBE would be awarded. Mentions in Despatches are now awarded only for gallantry in active operations against the enemy. The Queen's Commendation for Bravery now replaces the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct. The Queen's Commendation for Bravery in the Air replaces the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air. Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service is a new meritorious service award. The Distinguished Service Order now has a new and important role. It is retained across all Services as an award for recognition of exceptional service in positions of substantial responsibility for command and leadership during active operations. There has also been some changes to the Meritorious Service Structure for Service and Civilians. These are not gallantry awards and the new system is not known.
The New Operational Gallantry Structure for All Services and All Ranks
The New Non-Operational Gallantry Structure for Civilians and All Ranks of the Services
Who was Eligible for Which Medals Before 1995 The following table indicates which ranks and services are eligible for the various gallantry awards before 1995.
Alphabetical List of British Gallantry Medals This table refers to awards and honours system before 1993.
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