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Current Military Decorations
    (source: Ministry of Defence)
    A summary of state awards available to the armed forces for gallantry and meritorious service:
    Operational gallantry
 1
Victoria Cross – Level 1: post-nominal, VC
 
For gallantry of the highest order during active operations
 2
Distinguished Service Order – Level 2: post-nominal, DSO
 
For highly successful command and leadership during active operations
 3
Conspicuous Gallantry Cross – Level 2: post-nominal, CGC
 
For conspicuous gallantry during active operations
 
(The CGC replaced the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal in 1993)
 4a
Distinguished Service Cross – Level 3: post-nominal, DSC
 
For exemplary gallantry during active operations at sea
 4b
Military Cross – Level 3: post-nominal, MC
 
For exemplary gallantry during active operations on land
 4c
Distinguished Flying Cross – Level 3: post-nominal, DFC
 
For exemplary gallantry during active operations in the air
 5
Mention in Despatches – Level 4: post-nominal, none
 
For an act (or acts) of bravery during active operations
    Non-operational gallantry
 6
George Cross – Level 1: post-nominal, GC
 
For gallantry of the highest order not in active operations against the enemy
 7
George Medal – Level 2: post-nominal, GM
 
For conspicuous gallantry not in active operations against the enemy
 8
Queen’s Gallantry Medal – Level 3: post-nominal, QGM
 
For an act (or acts) of exemplary gallantry not in active operations against the enemy
 9
Queen’s Commendation for Bravery – Level 4: post-nominal, none
 
For an act (or acts) of bravery not in active operations against the enemy
10
Air Force Cross – Level 3: post-nominal, AFC
 
For exemplary gallantry while flying – not in active operations against the enemy
11
Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in the Air – Level 4: post-nominal, none
 
For an act (or acts) of bravery while flying – not in active operations against the enemy
    Meritorious service awards
12
Appointment as Commander, Officer or Member of the Order of the British Empire – Level 2/3 (rank-related): post-nominals, CBE/OBE/MBE
 
For meritorious service in an operational theatre (also awarded for meritorious service outside operational theatres in the Half-yearly Lists)
13
Royal Red Cross – Level 2/3 (rank-related): post-nominals, RRC/ARRC
 
Available to the Nursing Services only for meritorious service
14
Queen’s Volunteer Reserves Medal: no level, post-nominal, QVRM
 
For meritorious service in the Reserves
15
Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service – Level 4, no post-nominal
 
For meritorious service in an operational theatre

Select Bibliography
    Much of the research derives from the National Archives, henceforth referred to in the notes as ‘NA’, with the relevant file number following, e.g. NA WO 98/10.
    Books
    â€˜A Soldier’, The Army, the Horse-Guards and the People , part of the Knowsley Pamphlet Collection (University of Liverpool, 1860)
    Bailey, Roderick, Forgotten Voices of the Victoria Cross (Ebury Press, 2010)
    Beeton, S. O., Our Soldiers and the Victoria Cross (Ward, Lock and Tyler, 1867)
    Bennett, Daphne, King Without a Crown (Heinemann, 1977)
    Bidwell, Shelford, Modern Warfare (Allen Lane, 1973)
    Binney, Marcus, The Women Who Lived For Danger (Hodder & Stoughton, 2002)
    Bishop, W. A., Winged Warfare (Hodder & Stoughton, 1918)
    Brooks, Stephen (ed.), Montgomery and the Battle of Normandy (Army Records Society, 2008)
    Brownlow, Field Marshal Sir Charles H., Stray Notes on Military Training and Khaki Warfare (Women’s Printing Society, 1912)
    Buzzell, Nora, The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England Books, 1981)
    Callwell, Colonel Charles Edward, Small Wars: Their Principles and Practice (HMSO, 1906)
    Crook, M. J., The Evolution of the