WW1 Awards for Gallantry and Leadership
Introduction
The following is an extract from the Report of the Independent Review Panel of the End of War List - Vietnam (Tanzer, Phillips & Mitchell-Taylor, 1999. Research which I undertook at the time required me to examine the introduction and historical development of the four-tier Imperial awards system which developed more fully as a result of WW1. The Air Force was also created as a separate Service, with its own awards as a result of WW1.
The Review Panel established a sound basis for reasonable translation between the Imperal and Australian awards, and for those unfamiliar with either awards system now, the table which follows may be useful.
In addition these awards, both systems also address awards for bravery (civilian or military not in the face of the enemy), conspicuous service, campaign medals, service awards, commemorative awards, inidividual and group citations. The British have a long-standing and complex system of honours, while Australia now has its own system of awards in the Order of Australia.
The current British awards for gallantry and leadership are much more egalitarian, having removed distinctions between ranks in the same manner as the Australian system.
Table of Relativity - Imperial and Australian Awards
Level |
Imperial [Vietnam Era] |
Australian | |||
Awarded To |
Navy |
Army |
Air Force |
All Ranks, all Services |
|
1 |
All Ranks, all Services |
Victoria Cross |
Victoria Cross
for Australia
|
||
2 |
Officers, all Services |
Distinguished Service Order
|
Star of Gallantry
|
||
2 |
Warrant Officers & Other Ranks |
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
|
Distinguished Conduct Medal
|
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying)
|
|
3 |
Officers & Warrant Officers |
Distinguished Service Cross
|
Military Cross
|
Distinguished Flying Cross
|
Medal for Gallantry
|
3 |
Warrant Officers (Except for DSM) & Other Ranks |
Distinguished Service Medal
|
Military Medal
|
Distinguished Flying Medal
|
|
4 |
All Ranks, all Services |
Mention in Despatches
|
Commendation for Gallantry
|