Group of medals to Colonel A.R.C. Butson, GC, OMM, CD.
Naming: Engraved capitals, number, and abbreviated rank (if any) along with full given name, surname, and date the award was announced in the London Gazette, all hand-engraved in capitals.
Postnominals: GC.
Other: Replaced by the Cross of Valour.
Number of Awards to Canadians: 10.2 were exchanged from Albert Medals while 1 was converted from an Empire Gallantry Medal).
The Albert Medal
Albert Medal for Gallantry at Sea in gold obverse.
Origins: Established by Queen Victoria in 1866 as a single-level honour, the Albert Medal was broadened by 1867 into a two-class decoration to recognize acts of gallantry at sea. In 1877 the Albert Medal was expanded in scope to include acts of gallantry on land. From its inception this medal was open to both civilians and members of the military and was the first official honour bestowed by the Crown intended to recognize brave acts rendered by civilians. As noted by P.E. Abbott and J.M.A. Tamplin, “the standard of gallantry qualifying for an award has always been very high and it seems that the criterion adopted has been that the recipient’s risk of death had to be greater than chances of survival, and that in the case of the gold medal [1st class] the risk had to be altogether exceptional.”[3]
Albert Medal for Gallantry at Sea in bronze obverse.
There being a significant degree of overlap between the criteria of this award and the George Cross and George Medal, awards of the Albert Medal in Gold ceased in November 1949. Awards of the Albert Medal (formerly known as the AM 2nd class) ceased in 1971. Although initially divided into two classes, 1st and 2nd, King George V approved a change in 1917 that designated the Albert Medal 1st class the “Albert Medal in Gold,” while the Albert Medal 2nd class became simply the “Albert Medal.”
Criteria: The criteria can be divided into two parts, dependent on whether or not the act of bravery was rendered at sea or on land:
• Gallantry at Sea: To recognize daring and heroic actions performed by mariners and others to prevent the loss of life and to save the lives of those who are in danger of perishing by reason of wrecks and perils of the sea; the 1st class being confined to cases of extreme and heroic daring, while the 2nd class being limited to other acts of heroic daring.
• Gallantry on Land: to recognize daring and heroic actions performed on land to prevent the loss of life and to save the lives of those who are in danger of perishing; the 1st class being confined to cases of extreme and heroic daring, while the 2nd class being limited to other acts of heroic daring.
Albert Medal for Gallantry at Sea in bronze reverse.
Insignia (for Gallantry at Sea): An oval-shaped gold (1st class/in gold) or bronze (2nd class/Albert Medal) insignia 32 mm wide and 38 mm high, bearing in the centre a monogram of the letters V and A interlaced (for Victoria and Albert) with an upright anchor, the background enamelled in translucent blue with a starburst pattern beneath, the entire device encircled by a garter belt bearing the text FOR GALLANTRY IN SAVING LIFE AT SEA. The insignia is topped with the crown worn by Prince Albert. The reverse is plain other than naming details. The reverse bears the text PRESENTED IN THE NAME OF HIS/HER MAJESTY or AWARDED BY HIS/HER MAJESTY along with details of the recipient and details of the gallant action.
Insignia (for Gallantry on Land): An oval-shaped gold (1st class/in gold) or bronze (2nd class) Albert Medal insignia 32 mm wide and 38 mm high, bearing in the centre a monogram of the letters V and A, the background enamelled in translucent red with a starburst pattern beneath, the entire device encircled by a garter belt bearing the text FOR GALLANTRY IN SAVING LIFE ON LAND. The reverse is the same as that of the Albert Medal for saving life at sea.
Suspender: A ring 11 mm in diameter passes through the orb of the crown through which the ribbon passes. The ring is gold for the 1st class and bronze for the 2nd class.
Ribbon: Four different ribbons were issued, and they were dependent on the class of award and division (sea or land):
• Albert Medal 1st Class (Sea): Watered white, 35 mm wide with 5 garter blue stripes 3 mm wide.
• Albert Medal 1st Class (Land): Watered white, 35 mm wide with 5 red stripes 3 mm wide.
• Albert Medal 2nd Class (Sea): Watered white, 35 mm wide with a central garter blue stripe 8 mm wide.
• Albert Medal 2nd Class (Land): Watered white, 35 mm wide with a central red stripe 8 mm wide.
Albert Medal for Gallantry on Land in bronze obverse.
Bars: Provision was made for the bestowal of a bar; however, none were ever awarded.
Naming: Engraved in upper and lower case, bearing the full given and surname of the recipient along with details of the action.
Postnominals: AM.
Albert Medal for Gallantry on Land in bronze reverse.
Other: Presented in a rectangular maroon leatherette case embossed with the Royal Cypher of the reigning sovereign on the lid.
Number of Awards to Canadians: 22 (14 2nd class for gallantry at sea, 1 1st class for gallantry on land, 7 2nd class for gallantry on land). In addition to this, 2 1st-class and 2 2nd-class Albert Medals for gallantry at sea were awarded for the Halifax Explosion to members of the Royal Navy.
The Empire Gallantry Medal
Empire Gallantry Medal obverse.
Origins: The Empire Gallantry Medal was created by King George V in 1922 to replace the Medal of the Order of the British Empire. While originally styled “The Medal of the Order of the British Empire (for Gallantry),” this was superseded by the more elegant sounding Empire Gallantry Medal. This medal was cancelled in 1940 and was superseded by the George Cross. In 1971 living recipients of the EGM were permitted to exchange their awards for a George Cross. Only one person associated with Canada was awarded the EGM, Aircraftsman 1st Class Ernest Frost, who served in the Royal Air Force. In total only 130 were awarded for the entire British Empire.
Criteria: Awarded for acts of gallantry.
Insignia: A circular silver medal 36 mm in diameter, the obverse depicting a seated effigy of Britannia holding a trident and circumscribed by the text FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE with GALLANTRY at the base. The reverse displays the Royal Cypher surmounted by a crown in the centre (GRIV) surrounded by four lions. The reverse of the medal was changed following the death of King George V and subsequently displayed the Royal Cypher (GRI) surmounted by a crown in the centre surrounded by two lions on each side with the text INSTITUTED BY KING GEORGE V. Recipients of the EGM wore a silver laurel branch on the ribbon and undress ribbon of the medal to signify that the award was for gallantry.
Ribbon: Same as for the British Empire Medal.
Suspender: A claw suspender composed of a trio of stylized oak leaves attached to a straight suspension bar.