Related Research Articles
The George Cross (GC) is the highest award bestowed by the British government for non-operational gallantry or gallantry not in the presence of an enemy. In the British honours system, the George Cross, since its introduction in 1940, has been equal in stature to the Victoria Cross, the highest military gallantry award. It is awarded "for acts of the greatest heroism or for most conspicuous courage in circumstance of extreme danger", not in the presence of the enemy, to members of the British armed forces and to British civilians. Posthumous awards have been allowed since it was instituted. It was previously awarded to residents of Commonwealth countries, most of which have since established their own honours systems and no longer recommend British honours. It may be awarded to a person of any military rank in any service and to civilians including police, emergency services and merchant seamen. Many of the awards have been personally presented by the British monarch to recipients or, in the case of posthumous awards, to next of kin. The investitures are usually held at Buckingham Palace.
The King's Police Medal (KPM) is awarded to police in the United Kingdom for gallantry or distinguished service. It was also formerly awarded within the wider British Empire, including Commonwealth countries, most of which now have their own honours systems. The medal was established on 7 July 1909, initially inspired by the need to recognise the gallantry of the police officers involved in the Tottenham Outrage. Renamed the King's Police and Fire Services Medal (KPFSM) in 1940, it was replaced on 19 May 1954 by the Queen's Police Medal (QPM), when a separate Queen's Fire Service Medal was also instituted. The current award was renamed the King's Police Medal following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and the accession of King Charles III to the throne of the United Kingdom.
An overview of South African police decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system.
The orders, decorations, and medals of Canada comprise a complex system by which Canadians are honoured by the country's sovereign for actions or deeds that benefit their community or the country at large. Modelled on its British predecessor, the structure originated in the 1930s, but began to come to full fruition at the time of Canada's centennial in 1967, with the establishment of the Order of Canada, and has since grown in both size and scope to include dynastic and national orders, state, civil, and military decorations; and various campaign medals. The monarch in right of each Canadian province also issues distinct orders and medals to honour residents for work performed in just their province. The provincial honours, as with some of their national counterparts, grant the use of post-nominal letters and or supporters and other devices to be used on personal coats of arms.
The King's Gallantry Medal (KGM) is a United Kingdom decoration awarded for exemplary acts of bravery where the services were not so outstanding as to merit the George Medal, but above the level required for the King's Commendation for Bravery.
The New Zealand Gallantry Medal (NZGM) is the fourth level military decoration of the New Zealand armed forces.
The New Zealand Bravery Star (NZBS) is the second-level civil decoration of New Zealand.
The New Zealand Bravery Decoration (NZBD) is the third-level civil decoration of New Zealand.
The New Zealand Bravery Medal (NZBM) is the fourth-level civil decoration of New Zealand.
The Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct, formerly the King's Commendation for Brave Conduct, acknowledged brave acts by both civilians and members of the armed services in both war and peace, for gallantry not in the presence of an enemy. Established by King George VI in 1939, the award was discontinued in 1994 on the institution of the Queen's Commendation for Bravery.
The Cross of Valour is a decoration that is, within the Canadian system of honours, the second highest award, the highest honour available for Canadian civilians, and the highest of the three Canadian Bravery Decorations. Created in 1972, the medallion is presented to individuals, both Canadians and foreigners, living and deceased, who have performed acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril and grants recipients the ability to use the post-nominal letters CV.
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces and may be awarded posthumously. It was previously awarded by countries of the Commonwealth of Nations, most of which have established their own honours systems and no longer recommend British honours. It may be awarded to a person of any military rank in any service and to civilians under military command. No civilian has received the award since 1879. Since the first awards were presented by Queen Victoria in 1857, two-thirds of all awards have been personally presented by the British monarch. The investitures are usually held at Buckingham Palace.
The Bravery Council of Australia Meeting 67 Honours List was announced by the Governor General of Australia, Major General Michael Jeffery, on 20 August 2007.
The Bravery Council of Australia Meeting 68 Honours List was announced by the Governor General of Australia, Major General Michael Jeffery, on 17 March 2008.
The 2013 New Zealand bravery awards were announced via a Special Honours List on 2 December 2013.
The 2011 New Zealand bravery awards were announced via a Special Honours List on 2 April 2011. Some recipients were recognised for acts of bravery following the Napier shootings that occurred on 7 May 2009.
The 1969 New Zealand bravery awards were announced via two Special Honours Lists dated 21 April and 17 September 1969, and recognised two people for acts of bravery in 1968 and 1969.
The 1965 New Zealand bravery awards were announced via two special honours lists dated 20 April and 23 September 1965, and recognised two men for their actions when three boys were trapped in a water main tunnel in the Wellington suburb of Khandallah in June 1964. Further bravery awards were also included in that year's New Year and Queen's Birthday Honours.
The Special Honours Lists for Australia are announced by the Sovereign and Governor-General at any time.
References
- ↑ "Queen's Police Medal" (PDF). New Zealand Gazette. No. 32. 30 May 1963. p. 742.