George Cross
award for bravery in the United Kingdom
The George Cross (GC) is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and many other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations.[1] The GC is the civilian counterpart of the Victoria Cross (VC). It is the highest gallantry award for civilians. Also, it may be awarded to military personnel in actions not in the face of the enemy or for which purely military honours would not normally be granted.[2]
| George Cross | |
|---|---|
 Obverse of the cross. Ribbon: 38 mm, dark blue. | |
| Awarded by Commonwealth Realms | |
| Type | Civil decoration. |
| Eligibility | Commonwealth subjects. |
| Awarded for | "... acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger." |
| Status | Currently awarded. |
| Post-nominals | GC |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 24 September 1940 |
| Total awarded | 161 (including 2 collective awards) |
| Posthumous awards | 86 |
| Distinct recipients | 161 (including 2 collective awards) |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | None |
| Equivalent | Victoria Cross |
| Next (lower) | George Medal |
 GC ribbon bar | |
Living holders of the George Cross
changeThe list of living holders of the George Cross is small.[3]
- This list is not finished; you can help Wikipedia by adding to it.
- John Bamford, GC[3]
- James Beaton, GC, CVO[3]
- Arthur Butson, GC[3]
- Matt Croucher, GC[3]
- Christopher Finney, GC[3]
- Henry Flintoff, GC[3]
- Anthony Gledhill, GC[3]
- John Gregson, GC[3]
- Kim Hughes, GC[3]
- Barry Johnson, GC[3]
- Derek Kinne, GC[3]
- Alfred Lowe, GC[3]
- Peter Norton, GC[3]
- Michael Pratt, GC[3]
- Margaret Purves, GC[3]
- Awang Anak Raweng, GC[3]
- Samuel Shephard, GC
- Henry Stevens, GC[3]
- Carl Walker, GC[3]
- Ernie Wooding, GC[3]
- George Cross
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George Cross medal
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Detail of the George Cross on the Flag of Malta
Related pages
changeReferences
change- ↑ Although certain Commonwealth Realms have now instituted their own indigenous honours systems, replacing the GC and other Commonwealth awards so far as their citizens are concerned.
- ↑ Mackay J. & Mussell P. 2005, The Medal Yearbook 2006. Token Publishing Devon.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 "27th Reunion of Victoria Cross and George Cross holders" at VictoriaCross.org; Hardman, Robert. "The heroes given a front-row seat at the royal party," Daily Mail (UK). May 30, 2012: excerpt, "… all 28 living holders of the Victoria Cross or the George Cross …."
4. George Cross Encyclopaedia, by Marion Hebblethwaite, comprehensive illustrated bibliographies of all recipients, 2021