The supreme British award for gallantry in the face of the enemy, which was established in 1856 and is still awarded to this day.
633 VC's were awarded during the Great War, of which two were issued to Armadale & District men.
All awards of the VC were announced in the London Gazette, with a citation.
The award entitled the man to use the letters VC after his name for official purposes
First instituted on 28 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).
All awards of the MC were announced in the London Gazette, usually with a citation, although awards made as part of the King's Birthday or New Year's honours were made for reasons of meritorious service and do not usually have a citation.
The award entitled the man to use the letters MC after his name for official purposes
First instituted in 1854 as an award for distinguished service in the field for Warrant Officers, NCO's and lower ranks.
All awards of the DCM were announced in the London Gazette, usually with a citation although awards made as part of the King's Birthday or New Year's honours did not always have one.
The award entitled the man to use the letters DCM after his name for official purposes
First instituted in March 1916 as an award for distinguished service in the field for Warrant Officers, NCO's and lower ranks.
The award of an MM was also possible for women.
All awards of the MM were announced in the London Gazette, with no citation.
When you find the listing in the London Gazette, note the date of publication. The event for which the award was made was usually some 3-4 months before.
The award entitled the man to use the letters MM after his name for official purposes
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 during the Great War 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.
Popularly but inaccurately known as the Mons Star.
This medal was awarded to all Army personnel who served in
A bar inscribed "5 Aug. to 22 Nov. 1914" was given to all those who served under fire.
Since the same ribbon is used with the 1914-15 Star, holders of the earlier award were permitted to wear a small silver rosette on their ribbon when the decoration itself is not worn.
The soldier's Name Rank Number and Regiment are inscribed on the back.
This medal was issued to all personnel, who served in a theatre of war before December 31st 1915 and who did not qualify for the earlier 1914 star.
The soldier's Name Rank Number and Regiment are inscribed on the back.
Simple rule: if a man did not qualify for a 1914 or 1914-15 Star, he did not see service in a theatre of war before 1916.
The requirement was that a member of the fighting forces had to leave his native shore in any part of the
For example if a soldier served in a garrison in
The soldier's Name Rank Number and Regiment are inscribed around the rim.
This medal was awarded to all those who entered a theatre of war. Every recipient of the Victory Medal also qualified for the British War Medal, but not the other way round.
In all, 300,000 fewer Victory Medals were required than British War Medals. Victory Medals continued to be awarded after the Armistice, for the British forces who saw action in
The soldier's Name Rank Number and Regiment are inscribed around the rim.
Many of the men and women who were invalided out of the army after a wound or sickness that led to a medical down-grading were awarded this badge.
It was authorised in September 1916 and applied to soldiers regardless of whether they had served in a theatre of war or not. Thus a soldier could 'win' a SWB but have no campaign medals.
The badges were individually numbered on the reverse side.