The Veteran Issue 5
The Quarterly Magazine of the Alicante Branch of the Royal British Legion
The Quarterly Magazine of the Alicante Branch of the Royal British Legion
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Awards and decorations of the United Kingdom<br />
<strong>The</strong> George<br />
Cross<br />
For Gallantry<br />
<strong>The</strong> George Cross (GC) is the highest award bestowed by the British government<br />
for non-operational gallantry or gallantry not in the presence of an enemy. In<br />
the UK honours system, the George Cross is equal in stature to the Victoria<br />
Cross, the highest military gallantry award. This has been the case since the<br />
introduction of the award in 1940. It is awarded "for acts of the greatest heroism<br />
or for most conspicuous courage in circumstance of extreme danger", not in the<br />
presence of the enemy, to members of the British armed forces and to British<br />
civilians. Posthumous awards have been allowed since it was instituted. It was<br />
previously awarded to residents of Commonwealth countries (and in one case to<br />
Malta, a colony which subsequently became a Commonwealth country), most of<br />
which have since established their own honours systems and no longer recommend<br />
British honours. It may be awarded to a person of any military rank in any<br />
service and to civilians including police, emergency services and merchant seamen.<br />
Many of the awards have been personally presented by the British monarch to<br />
recipients or, in the case of posthumous awards, to next of kin. <strong>The</strong>se investitures<br />
are usually held at Buckingham Palace.<br />
On 5 July 2021, on the 73rd anniversary of the NHS, and during the global<br />
COVID-19 pandemic, the Queen awarded the George Cross to the National Health<br />
Service staff of the United Kingdom. <strong>The</strong> Queen wrote in a personal message: "It is<br />
with great pleasure, on behalf of a grateful nation, that I award the George<br />
Cross to the National Health Services of the United Kingdom. This award<br />
recognises all NHS staff, past and present, across all disciplines and all four<br />
nations. Over more than seven decades, and especially in recent times, you have<br />
supported the people of our country with courage, compassion and dedication,<br />
demonstrating the highest standards of public service. You have our enduring<br />
thanks and heartfelt appreciation. Elizabeth R."<br />
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