Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)

Last updated

Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross, Obverse, 1937-47.jpg
Obverse of the Cross
Distinguished Service Cross, second award bar.png
Ribbon bar for further award
TypeMilitary decoration
Awarded forGallantry during active operations against the enemy at sea
DescriptionPlain silver cross with rounded ends, 43 mm max height and width
Presented byUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
EligibilityBritish, (formerly) Commonwealth, and allied forces
StatusCurrently awarded
Established15 June 1901 (as Conspicuous Service Cross), renamed October 1914
TotalAt least 6,658 Crosses and 603 bars
UK Distinguished Service Cross BAR.svg

UK DSC w bar BAR.svg

UK DSC w 2bars BAR.svg
Distinguished Service Cross ribbon:
without bar, and with one and two bars
Order of Wear
Next (higher) Royal Red Cross, First Class [1]
Next (lower) Military Cross [1]
Related Distinguished Service Medal

The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is a third-level military decoration awarded for gallantry during active operations against the enemy at sea to officers; and, since 1993, ratings and other ranks of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the British Merchant Navy have been eligible. The award was formerly also awarded to members of armed forces of other Commonwealth countries.

Contents

The DSC is "awarded in recognition of an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy at sea." [2] [3] Since 1979, it can be awarded posthumously. [2]

History

The award was originally created in 1901 as the Conspicuous Service Cross, for award to warrant and subordinate officers, including midshipmen, ineligible for the Distinguished Service Order. It was renamed the Distinguished Service Cross in October 1914, eligibility being extended to all naval officers (commissioned and warrant) below the rank of lieutenant commander. [4]

From March 1915, foreign officers of equivalent rank in allied navies could receive honorary awards; in August 1916, bars were introduced to reward further acts of gallantry meriting the Cross, with a silver rosette worn on the ribbon when worn alone, to denote the award of each bar. [4] During World War I, officers of the Merchant and Fishing Fleets had been awarded the DSC, and their eligibility was legally clarified by an order in council in 1931. [5]

World War II saw a number of changes. In December 1939, eligibility was extended to Naval Officers of the rank of Commander and Lieutenant-Commander. [5] In April 1940, equivalent ranks in the Royal Air Force serving with the Fleet could receive the DSC, and, from November 1942, so could those in the Army aboard defensively equipped merchant ships. [4]

Since the 1993 review of the honours system, as part of the drive to remove distinctions of rank in awards for bravery, the Distinguished Service Medal, formerly the third-level decoration for ratings, has been discontinued. The DSC now serves as the third-level award for gallantry at sea for all ranks, not to the standard required to receive the Victoria Cross or the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. [6]

The DSC had also been awarded by Commonwealth countries; however, by the 1990s, most of these—including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand—were establishing their own honours systems and no longer recommended British honours. [7]

Recipients are entitled to the post-nominal "DSC". [5]

Description

The DSC is a plain silver cross with rounded ends, with a width of 43 millimetres (1.7 in) and with the following design: [8]

Recipients

Numbers awarded

Since 1901 at least 6,658 Crosses and 603 bars have been awarded. The dates below reflect the relevant London Gazette entries: [10]

PeriodCrosses1st bar2nd bar3rd bar
Pre-19141901–19138
World War I1914–19201,983 [11] 9110
Interwar 1921–19387
World War II1939–19464,524434441
Postwar 1947–2016136 [12] 185
Total1901–20166,658543591

A number of honorary awards were made to members of allied foreign forces, including 151 for World War I, and 228 (with 12 first bars and 2 second bars) for World War II. Eight honorary awards were made in 1955 to members of the US Navy for service in Korea. [10]

The above table includes awards to the Dominions:
In all, 199 DSCs have gone to those serving with Canadian forces, with 34 first bars and five second bars. [13] It was replaced in 1993 by the Medal of Military Valour.
182 were awarded to Australians, in addition to 13 first bars and three second bars. Last awarded to an Australian in 1972, it was replaced in 1991 by the Medal for Gallantry. [14]

Four-time recipient

Only one person has ever been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross four times. Norman Eyre Morley served in the Royal Naval Reserve during World War I and World War II. He was awarded the DSC for the first time in 1919. He was awarded his second DSC in 1944. He was awarded the DSC a further two times in 1945. He gained an entry into the Guinness Book of Records as the most decorated reserve naval officer. [15] [16]

List of three-time recipients

Collective award

In 1919, the Distinguished Service Cross was awarded to the City of Dunkirk for the gallant behaviour of its citizens during World War I, and the Cross appears in the coat of arms of the city. [19] [20]

See also

Notes and references

  1. 1 2 "JSP 761 Honours and Awards in the Armed Forces" (PDF). p. 12A-1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2020. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  2. 1 2 "No. 56693". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 October 2002. p. 11145.
  3. Defence FactSheet Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 28 June 2007.
  4. 1 2 3 Abbott & Tamplin, pages 107-109.
  5. 1 2 3 Dorling, page 40.
  6. "Distinguished Service Cross". Ministry of Defence . Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  7. Mussell, pages 390, 429, 459.
  8. 1 2 Mussell, page 86.
  9. 1 2 Duckers, pages 24-25.
  10. 1 2 Abbott & Tamplin, pages 110-111.
  11. Abbott & Tamplin, page 110 gives varying figures from several sources, this being the highest figure.
  12. Abbott & Tamplin, page 111 confirms 95 DSCs for 1947-79. A further 41 awarded 1980–2016: 30 for South Atlantic (London Gazette Supplements, 3 June 1982 & 8 October 1982); 7 for Gulf War (London Gazette Supplement, 29 June 1991); 1 for Iraq War (London Gazette Supplement 31 October 2003); and 3 for smaller conflicts:(London Gazette Supplements 6 April 2001, 23 March 2012 & 18 March 2016).
  13. Veterans Affairs Canada – Distinguished Service Cross (Retrieved 7 November 2018)
  14. "Imperial Awards". It's an Honour. Australian Government. Archived from the original on 23 June 2006. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  15. "No. 37127". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 June 1945. p. 3088.
  16. "An important collection of Royal Navy items relating to Commander Norman Morley DSC". Bonhams. 2007. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  17. "No. 40011". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 November 1953. p. 6002.
  18. "No. 39854". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 May 1953. p. 2765.
  19. "Traces of War". TracesOfWar. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  20. "La Grande Guerre (fr)". Dunkerque & vous. Retrieved 11 November 2018.

Bibliography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)</span> Military decoration of the United Kingdom

The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers, and since 1993 to other ranks, of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy".

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 award for valour. 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Distinguished Service Order</span> UK military decoration

The Distinguished Service Order (DSO) is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, as well as formerly of other parts of the Commonwealth, awarded for operational gallantry for highly successful command and leadership during active operations, typically in actual combat. Since 1993 it has been awarded specifically for "highly successful command and leadership during active operations", with all ranks being eligible. It is a level 2A decoration (order) in the British system of military decorations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Medal</span> British award for gallantry, established in 1940

The George Medal (GM), instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI, is a decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth, awarded for gallantry, typically by civilians, or in circumstances where military honours are not appropriate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Distinguished Conduct Medal</span> Award

The Distinguished Conduct Medal was a decoration established in 1854 by Queen Victoria for gallantry in the field by other ranks of the British Army. It is the oldest British award for gallantry and was a second level military decoration, ranking below the Victoria Cross, until it was discontinued in 1993 when it was replaced by the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. The medal was also awarded to non-commissioned military personnel of other Commonwealth Dominions and Colonies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Distinguished Service Medal (United Kingdom)</span> Military award for bravery and resourcefulness at sea

The Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) was a military decoration awarded until 1993 to personnel of the Royal Navy and members of the other services, and formerly to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, up to and including the rank of Chief Petty Officer, for bravery and resourcefulness on active service at sea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military Cross</span> British military decoration

The Military Cross (MC) is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces, and formerly awarded to officers of other Commonwealth countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)</span> Military gallantry award

The Air Force Cross (AFC) is a military decoration awarded to officers, and since 1993 other ranks, of the British Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries. It is granted for "an act or acts of exemplary gallantry while flying, though not in active operations against the enemy". A bar is added to the ribbon for holders who are awarded a further AFC.

To be mentioned in dispatches describes a member of the armed forces whose name appears in an official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high command, in which their gallant or meritorious action in the face of the enemy is described.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military Medal</span> Award

The Military Medal (MM) was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other arms of the armed forces, and to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land. The award was established in 1916, with retrospective application to 1914, and was awarded to other ranks for "acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire". The award was discontinued in 1993, when it was replaced by the Military Cross, which was extended to all ranks, while other Commonwealth nations instituted their own award systems in the post war period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conspicuous Gallantry Cross</span> British military award

The Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC) is a second level military decoration of the British Armed Forces. Created in 1993 and first awarded in 1995, it was instituted after a review of the British honours system to remove distinctions of rank in the awarding of gallantry decorations. The Victoria Cross is the only higher combat gallantry award presented by the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Force Medal</span> Award

The Air Force Medal (AFM) was a military decoration, awarded to personnel of the Royal Air Force and other British Armed Forces, and formerly to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy". The award was discontinued in 1993 when all ranks became eligible for the Air Force Cross (AFC) as part of the reform of the British honours system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Distinguished Flying Medal</span> Award

The Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Royal Air Force and other British Armed Forces, and formerly to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for "exceptional valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy". The award was discontinued in 1993 when all ranks became eligible for the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) as part of the reform of the British honours system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conspicuous Gallantry Medal</span> British military decoration for courage in action

The Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (CGM) was, until 1993, a British military decoration for gallantry in action for petty officers and seamen of the Royal Navy, including Warrant Officers and other ranks of the Royal Marines. It was formerly awarded to personnel of other Commonwealth countries. In 1943 a Royal Air Force version was created for conspicuous gallantry in action against the enemy in the air.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Empire Medal</span> British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service

The British Empire Medal is a British and Commonwealth award for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown. The current honour was created in 1922 to replace the original medal, which had been established in 1917 as part of the Order of the British Empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Red Cross</span> Award

The Royal Red Cross (RRC) is a military decoration awarded in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for exceptional services in military nursing. It was created in 1883 and the first two awards were to Florence Nightingale and Jane Cecilia Deeble. Deeble had served in Zululand and she had noted that the work of the nurses was not recognised officially.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King's Gallantry Medal</span> United Kingdom decoration awarded for exemplary acts of bravery

The King's Gallantry Medal (KGM), formerly the Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM), 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 King's Fire Service Medal, introduced in 1954, is awarded to members of the fire services in the United Kingdom for distinguished service or gallantry. It was also formerly awarded by Commonwealth countries, most of which now have their own honours systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct</span> Award

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian Distinguished Service Medal</span> Award

The Indian Distinguished Service Medal (IDSM) was a military decoration awarded by the British Empire to Indian citizens serving in the Indian armed forces and military police. When it was instituted in 1907 it was the second highest award available to Indians, behind the Indian Order of Merit (IOM). However, when eligibility for the Victoria Cross was extended to cover all Commonwealth subjects in 1911, the IDSM became third highest in the order of precedence. It was instituted in order to recognise acts of gallantry that did not meet the standards required of the IOM. The award was discontinued following the partition and subsequent independence of India in 1947.