皇冠体育app

What is civilian gallantry?

皇冠体育app modern system of national civilian gallantry awards dates from the Second World War when the George Cross and George Medal were introduced to recognise actions by civilians and military personnel not in the face of the enemy. 皇冠体育appre is a separate system of military gallantry awards.

Unlike other honours, gallantry awards may be awarded posthumously. Awards may be made to foreign nationals, apart from the George Cross which is restricted to British subjects.

Nominations for civilian gallantry

Nominations come from a variety of sources, including members of the public, the emergency services and government departments. All nominations are validated to check the facts of the case and an individual鈥檚 role.

Levels of civilian gallantry awards

皇冠体育appre are four levels of civilian gallantry award:

• 皇冠体育app George Cross (GC) - introduced in 1940, is granted only for acts of gallantry of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger
• 皇冠体育app George Medal (GM) - introduced in 1940, is granted for gallantry of an extremely high order
• 皇冠体育app Queen鈥檚 Gallantry Medal (QGM) - introduced in 1974, is granted for gallantry of a high order
• 皇冠体育app Queen鈥檚 Commendation for Bravery (QCB) and 皇冠体育app Queen鈥檚 Commendation for Bravery in the Air (QCBA) - introduced in the Second World War as the equivalent to Mention in Dispatches, are granted for gallantry not up to the foregoing standards, but entailing risk to life and meriting national recognition

皇冠体育app George Cross is equal in stature in the UK honours system to the Victoria Cross, the highest military gallantry award. This has always been the case since the introduction of the award in 1940.

皇冠体育app George Cross Committee

Nominations are considered by the George Cross Committee (GCC). 皇冠体育app members are:

• Sir Chris Wormald (chair)
• the Private Secretary to HM Queen
• the Private Secretary to the Prime Minister
• the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence
• Dame Mary Marsh (independent member)
• Lord Evans (independent member)

Nominations come from a variety of sources, including members of the public, the emergency services and government departments. All nominations are validated to check the facts of the case and an individual鈥檚 role.

Cases are assessed against a number of factors including:

• whether the individual has gone above and beyond the call of duty
• the level of risk involved
• whether a deliberate decision was made to act
• persistence in acting
• whether the safety or lives of others were protected by the individual鈥檚 actions

皇冠体育app GCC鈥檚 recommendations are submitted through the Prime Minister to 皇冠体育app Sovereign for approval. Awards are announced in the London Gazette.

Receiving a civilian gallantry award

Recipients of the George Cross, the George Medal and the Queen鈥檚 Gallantry Medal receive their awards at a Royal Investiture. Investitures are organised by the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood at St. James鈥檚 Palace.

Recipients of the Queen鈥檚 Commendation for Bravery and the Queen鈥檚 Commendation for Bravery in the Air receive their medals from a senior official in the relevant area.

Forfeiture of civilian gallantry awards

皇冠体育appre is a clear expectation that those invited to receive an honour are, and will continue to be, role models. Recipients should be aware that honours can be cancelled on the advice of the Honours Forfeiture Committee.