Donald Owen Clarke is the only Merchant Navy seaman to have been awarded the George Cross; the highest gallantry medal that can be awarded to a civilian. Donald Owen Clarke was born on 5 March 1923 in Chester-le-Street, County Durham. He lived with his parents in Osborne Road, Chester-le-Street. Despite Clarke’s home being miles from… Continue reading Donald Clarke, GC
Category: Awards
Humane Society Medals
Until the British Government introduced gallantry awards for saving life, it was left to private individuals and organisations to reward those people who had risked their life to save other people. One such organisation that was established is the Royal Humane Society: https://royalhumanesociety.org.uk/ THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY The Royal Humane Society was formed in 1774… Continue reading Humane Society Medals
Police & Fire Gallantry
This article is concerned with the gallantry medals that were introduced specifically for the Police and Fire services. Members of these two services are also eligible for the award of civilian gallantry awards such as the George Cross, George Medal and Queen’s Gallantry Medal. THE QUEEN’S FIRE SERVICE MEDAL The Queen’s Fire Service Medal was… Continue reading Police & Fire Gallantry
Queen’s & Sea Gallantry
This article is about the two gallantry medals that follow the George Medal in order of precedence: The Queen’s Gallantry Medal (QGM) and the Sea Gallantry Medal (SGM) respectively. QUEEN’S GALLANTRY MEDAL The Queen’s Gallantry Medal was introduced on 20 June 1974 to award acts of bravery by civilians, although it can be awarded to… Continue reading Queen’s & Sea Gallantry
UK Gallantry Medals
Until the establishment of the government’s own gallantry awards for saving life, it was left entirely to private individuals and companies to provide their own recognition to those people who risked their own life to save other people. The first Government issued award to commemorate people who risked their life to save others was the… Continue reading UK Gallantry Medals
AM, EGM and EM
When the George Cross was instituted in 1940, it replaced the Empire Gallantry Medal (EGM). In 1971, living recipients of the Albert Medal (AM) and Edward Medal (EM) were invited to exchange their award for the George Cross. THE GEORGE CROSS and GEORGE MEDAL EMPIRE GALLANTRY MEDAL The Empire Gallantry Medal (officially called the Medal… Continue reading AM, EGM and EM
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross was founded by Royal Warrant on 29 January 1856, and was originally intended to be awarded to members of the Royal Navy and British Army who, serving in the presence of the enemy, should have performed some signal act of valour or devotion to their country. TWO VICTORIA CROSS AWARDS TO THE… Continue reading Victoria Cross
George Cross & Medal
The George Cross is the UK’s highest award for bravery by a civilian or a military person where the award of the Victoria Cross (VC) is not applicable. In order of precedence, the George Cross is second only to the Victoria Cross. As no person has won both awards, they can be considered as equals.… Continue reading George Cross & Medal