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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 />

24

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