Date
Instituted: 1914.
Description: Straight cross with arms terminating in broad finials decorated
with the imperial crown. In the centre is the royal cypher while
the reverse is plain. The ribbon is attached via a straight plain
suspender linked to the cross with a small metal loop.
Metal: Silver.
Size: 46mm high and 44mm wide.
Bars: Bars are authorised for subsequent awards.
| Ribbon: |
 |
Naming: Initially issued
un-named but from 1938 onwards the name of the recipient and the year of the award were engraved on the
reverse.
Post-Nominal
Letters: MC.
Comments: This award was introduced to fill the gap to recognise
those who committed an act of gallantry which fell just short of that
required to earn a VC. Originally the Military Cross was issued
only to junior officers and warrant officers of the Army (higher
ranking officers receiving the DSO) but was extended to majors in
1931. RAF,
Royal Naval Division and Royal Marines also became eligible under
certain circumstances during the First World War.
In
1993, after the Review of Gallantry Awards, the MC was made available
to all ranks for acts of gallantry. As a consequence the Military
Medal has been discontinued. |
