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Conspicuous Gallantry Cross

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Conspicuous Gallantry Cross
Obverse of the medal. Ribbon: 32 mm, white with blue edges and a red central stripe
TypeMilitary decoration
Awarded for... an act or acts of conspicuous gallantry during active operations against the enemy.[1]
Description36 mm max. width; silver cross patée imposed on a wreath of laurel, with the Royal Crown in a circular panel in the centre. Suspended by a ring from a plain suspension bar.
CountryUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Presented byMonarch of the United Kingdom
EligibilityBritish and allied forces
Statusactive
EstablishedOctober 1993
First awarded1995
Total61 including one unit award
Total awarded posthumously3
CGC ribbon bar
Order of Wear
Next (higher)Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)[2]
Next (lower)Distinguished Conduct Medal [2]

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.[3]

History

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The CGC was instituted in the aftermath of the 1993 review of the honours system. As part of the drive to remove distinctions of rank in awards for bravery, the CGC replaced both the Distinguished Conduct Medal (Army) and the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Naval and Air) as second level awards to other ranks and ratings. The CGC also replaced the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), in its role as an award to officers for gallantry. The DSO was retained as an award for outstanding leadership. The CGC now serves as the second level award for gallantry for all ranks across the whole armed forces. It was designed and sculpted by Michael Rizzello for the Royal Mint.

Eligibility

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The CGC, which may be awarded posthumously, is awarded "in recognition of an act or acts of conspicuous gallantry during active operations against the enemy". All ranks of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army, and Royal Air Force may be awarded the CGC in recognition of qualifying acts of gallantry.[3] Bars are awarded to the CGC in recognition of the performance of further acts of gallantry meriting the award. When the ribbon bar alone is worn, a silver rosette on the ribbon indicates the award of a bar.[4] Recipients are entitled to the postnominal letters CGC.[5]

Appearance

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The CGC (left) as worn on a dress uniform with campaign medals. The medals shown are those awarded to Lance Corporal of Horse Andrew Radford, CGC.

The medal is in the shape of a cross pattée in silver. Arranged behind the cross, visible between the arms is a laurel wreath. On the obverse of the medal, the circular medallion in the centre depicts St Edward's crown. The reverse is plain which allows room for the engraving of the rank, name, and unit of its recipient. The award date is also engraved on the reverse of the medal. The medal is suspended by a white ribbon with two narrow dark blue stripes at the edge and one centre stripe in crimson.[3]

Recipients

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To date, there have been about 60 awards of the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, including three posthumous and one unit award. No second award bars have been awarded.
The following is a full list of recipients who have been Gazetted to date.

Name Rank Service Date award announced Place
Mills, Wayne[6] Corporal Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) 9 May 1995 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Humphreys, Peter[7] Colour Sergeant Royal Welch Fusiliers 9 May 1996 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Baycroft, John David, MBE[8] Colour Sergeant Parachute Regiment 6 April 2001 Sierra Leone (Operation Barras)
MacFarlane, Iain James McKechnie[9] Squadron Leader Royal Air Force 6 April 2001 Sierra Leone (Operation Barras)
Day, Tony Kenneth[10] Corporal Royal Marines 29 October 2002 Afghanistan
Merchant, Jeremy Mark[10] Captain Royal Marines 29 October 2002 Afghanistan
Hearne, Karl Anthony[8] Corporal Parachute Regiment 29 October 2002 Afghanistan
Sanders, Edward Lawrence[10] Private Parachute Regiment 29 October 2002 Afghanistan
Thomas, Justin Royston[11] Marine Royal Marines 31 October 2003 Iraq
Flynn, Michael John[11] Lance Corporal of Horse Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons) 31 October 2003 Iraq
Jardine, Shaun Garry[12] Corporal King's Own Scottish Borderers 23 April 2004 Iraq
Robertson, Gordon[12] Sergeant Parachute Regiment 23 April 2004 Iraq
Greensmith, Benjamin Paul[13] Corporal Parachute Regiment 7 March 2008 Iraq
Broome, Christopher Mark[14] Sergeant Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires) 18 March 2005 Iraq
Bryan, Terry[14] Sergeant Royal Artillery 18 March 2005 Iraq
Thomson, Terence Alan[14] Corporal Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires) 18 March 2005 Iraq
Tomlinson, Matthew Robert[15] Colour Sergeant Royal Marines 24 March 2006 Iraq
Radford, Andrew[16] Lance Corporal of Horse Life Guards 14 December 2006 Afghanistan
Collins, John[17] Corporal Parachute Regiment 14 December 2006 Iraq
Harkess, James Royce[17] Colour Sergeant Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (29th/45th Foot) 14 December 2006 Iraq
Farmer, Hugo[16] Lieutenant Parachute Regiment 14 December 2006 Afghanistan
Illingworth, Timothy[16] Acting Captain The Light Infantry 14 December 2006 Afghanistan
Unit award[18] Royal Irish Regiment/Ulster Defence Regiment 19 December 2006 Northern Ireland
Thompson, John Thomas[19] Corporal Royal Marines 19 July 2007 Afghanistan
Hollingsworth, Jonathan Stuart,[20] QGM Sergeant Parachute Regiment 19 July 2007 Iraq (posthumous)
Campbell, Donald Peter[21] Acting Corporal Royal Engineers 7 March 2008 Afghanistan
Cupples, Simon Timothy[21] Lieutenant Mercian Regiment 7 March 2008 Afghanistan
Willmott, Paul Darren[21] Private Mercian Regiment 7 March 2008 Afghanistan
Miller, Adam William[22] Corporal Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 7 March 2008 Iraq
Wadsworth, James Anthony[22] Staff Sergeant Royal Logistic Corps 7 March 2008 Iraq
McClurg, Robert William Kerr[23] Corporal Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd, 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment) 6 March 2009 Afghanistan
Stevens, Alwyn John[23] Acting Sergeant Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd, 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment) 6 March 2009 Afghanistan
Toge, Jone Bruce[23] Lance Corporal Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd, 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment) 6 March 2009 Afghanistan
Durber, Leonard John[24] Colour Sergeant Parachute Regiment 6 March 2009 Iraq
Malone, Bradley[25] Acting Corporal Royal Marines 11 September 2009 Afghanistan
Nethery, Steven[26] Marine Royal Marines 11 September 2009 Afghanistan
Dennis, Alan Gordon[27] Sergeant Mercian Regiment 19 March 2010 Afghanistan
Gadsby, Stephen William[27] Gunner Royal Artillery 19 March 2010 Afghanistan
Giles, Marc Kevin[27] Sergeant Mercian Regiment 19 March 2010 Afghanistan
Moncho, Jaime[27] Sergeant[28] The Rifles 19 March 2010 Afghanistan
Prout, Gary[27] Lance Bombardier Royal Artillery 19 March 2010 Afghanistan
Smith, Kyle Patrick[27] Lance Corporal Mercian Regiment 19 March 2010 Afghanistan
Turner, Robert[29] Sergeant Royal Marines 24 September 2010 Afghanistan
Bourne-Taylor, Robin Edwin Geoffrey[29] Captain Life Guards 24 September 2010 Afghanistan
Brownson, Lee[29] Corporal The Rifles 24 September 2010 Afghanistan (posthumous)
Horn, Graham Stuart[29] Lance Corporal Parachute Regiment 24 September 2010 Afghanistan
McKie, James Lee[29] Lance Corporal The Rifles 24 September 2010 Afghanistan
Pun, Dip Prasad[30] Acting Sergeant Royal Gurkha Rifles 25 March 2011 Afghanistan
Jackson, Mark Anthony[30] Marine Royal Marines 25 March 2011 Afghanistan
Stephens, Seth Vincent Scott[30] Corporal Royal Marines 25 March 2011 Afghanistan (posthumous)
Cutterham, Deacon[31] Sergeant The Rifles 23 March 2012 Afghanistan
Wright-Hider, Simon[31] Corporal Royal Marines 23 March 2012 Afghanistan
Couzens, Scott Allan[32] Staff Sergeant Parachute Regiment 28 September 2012 Afghanistan
Fort, Jay
 Corporal Parachute Regiment 30 September 2012 Afghanistan
Glancy, James Alexander[33] Captain Royal Marines 22 March 2013 Afghanistan
Mason, Luke Timothy John[33] Lieutenant Yorkshire Regiment (14th/15th, 19th and 33rd/76th Foot) 22 March 2013 Afghanistan
Davis, Owen Edward[34] Lieutenant Royal Marines 4 October 2013 Afghanistan
Griffiths, Josh Edward Hayden[34] Corporal Mercian Regiment 4 October 2013 Afghanistan
Steel, Gareth David[34] Private Parachute Regiment 4 October 2013 Afghanistan
Stazicker, Anthony[35] Corporal Special Boat Service 21 March 2014 Afghanistan
Moloney, Simon George[35] Lance Corporal Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons) 21 March 2014 Afghanistan
Craighead, Christian MBE[36][37] Warrant Officer Class 2 Special Air Service | Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom) 14 November 2019 Kenya

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ "Military Honours and Awards". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 10 October 2006.
  2. ^ a b "The London Gazette, Order of Wear". p. 326. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Conspicuous Gallantry Cross". MOD Medal Office. Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  4. ^ Online Medals: Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, (Accessed 8 June 2018).
  5. ^ "Honours & Gallantry Awards". mod.uk/. Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  6. ^ "No. 54028". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 May 1995. p. 6612.
  7. ^ "No. 54393". The London Gazette. 9 May 1996. p. 6547.
  8. ^ a b "No. 57936". The London Gazette (Supplement). 24 March 2006. p. 4197.
  9. ^ "No. 57751". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 September 2005. p. 11648.
  10. ^ a b c "No. 57588". The London Gazette (Supplement). 18 March 2005. p. 3378.
  11. ^ a b "No. 57100". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 October 2003. p. 4.
  12. ^ a b "No. 57269". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 April 2004. p. 5132.
  13. ^ "No. 58633". The London Gazette (Supplement). 7 March 2008. p. 3619.
  14. ^ a b c "No. 57588". The London Gazette (Supplement). 18 March 2005. p. 3374.
  15. ^ "No. 57936". The London Gazette (Supplement). 24 March 2006. p. 4195.
  16. ^ a b c "No. 58183". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 December 2006. p. 17357.
  17. ^ a b "No. 58183". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 December 2006. p. 17359.
  18. ^ It is the first and only time an individual gallantry award has been awarded to a military unit. Unlike the 1942 George Cross to Malta and the 1999 George Cross to the Royal Ulster Constabulary, the award to The Royal Irish Regiment was gazetted. See: "No. 58186". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 December 2006. p. 17495.
  19. ^ "No. 58396". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 July 2007. p. 10411.
  20. ^ "No. 58396". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 July 2007. p. 10413.
  21. ^ a b c "No. 58633". The London Gazette (Supplement). 7 March 2008. p. 3613.
  22. ^ a b "No. 58633". The London Gazette (Supplement). 7 March 2008. p. 3615.
  23. ^ a b c "No. 58999". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 March 2009. p. 4082.
  24. ^ "No. 58999". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 March 2009. p. 4085.
  25. ^ "No. 59211". The London Gazette. 13 October 2009. p. 17559.
  26. ^ "No. 59182". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 September 2009. p. 15640.
  27. ^ a b c d e f "No. 59366". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 March 2010. p. 4834.
  28. ^ Spelling is correct: this form is used by The Rifles.
  29. ^ a b c d e "No. 59554". The London Gazette (Supplement). 24 September 2010. p. 18536.
  30. ^ a b c "No. 59737". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 March 2011. p. 5640.
  31. ^ a b "No. 60095". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 March 2012. p. 5848.
  32. ^ "No. 60283". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 September 2012. p. 18624.
  33. ^ a b "No. 60456". The London Gazette (Supplement). 22 March 2013. p. 5738.
  34. ^ a b c "Operational Honours and Awards List: 4 October 2013 – News stories – GOV.UK".
  35. ^ a b "No. 60813". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 March 2014. p. 5836.
  36. ^ Pending Gazette Entry (Due end of 2022) https://www.forces.net/news/sas-hero-who-secured-kenyan-hotel-receive-top-award
  37. ^ Pseudonym used to protect identity

References

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  • Mackay, J and Mussell, J (eds) – Medal Yearbook – 2007, (2006), Token Publishing, Honiton, Devon
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