• George V issue: 1 letter of each part of the Royal Cypher GVRI on the arms of the cross. The reverse displaying in the centre GRI with the arm of the R looping through the eye of the “8” in 1918.
• George VI 1st type: 1 letter of each part of the Royal Cypher GVIRI on the arms of the cross. The reverse displays in the centre GRI without the arm of the R intersecting with the “8” in 1918.
• George VI 2nd type: 1 letter of each part of the Royal Cypher GVIR on the 3 uppermost arms of the cross. The reverse displays in the centre GVIR.
• Elizabeth II issue: 1 letter of each part of the Royal Cypher EIIR on the uppermost arms of the cross. The reverse displays in the centre EIIR.
Air Force Cross George VI 1st type reverse.
Suspender: A highly decorative suspender composed to two sprigs of laurel that graduate into a straight suspender. The suspender is attached to the top of the cross via a small oblong ring that is integral to the main insignia (not a loose ring as for the DFC).
Ribbon: A white ribbon 32 mm wide displaying red stripes on a 45 degree angle, 3.175 mm apart. Until 1919 the stripes were horizontal.
Bars: A 33 mm wide silver bar with a flying eagle centred; the bar slips over the ribbon.
Naming: None, though privately engraved examples do exist. All insignia and bars awarded after 1939 are dated with the year of the award on the lower part of the reverse. Awards from 1939 are engraved with the year, while subsequent issues are engraved.
Postnominals: AFC.
Other: Crosses awarded during the First World War were made by John Pinches, while those awarded to Canadians during the Second World War and Korean War were made by the Royal Mint.
Number of Awards to Canadians: 454 (1 1st bar).
• Second World War: 428 (1 1st bar).
• Korean War: 4.
• Postwar: 22.
The George Medal
George Medal reverse.
Origins: The George Medal was created by King George VI in September 1940 along with the GC to serve as a pair of decorations to recognize civilian and military gallantry in non-combat situations. A number of awards were made to Canadians for their services in defusing bombs placed by the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ). The modern Canadian equivalent is the Star of Courage.
Criteria: Intended as an award primarily for civilians and as an award for the military for “acts of great bravery” for which purely military honours are not normally granted.
Insignia: A circular silver medal 36 mm in diameter, the obverse bearing the Sovereign’s effigy and titles, while the reverse displays a representation of St. George slaying the dragon on the coast of England circumscribed by the text THE GEORGE MEDAL. The medal was designed by K.C. Gray. Four obverse types of the George Medal have been awarded to Canadians:
Queen Elizabeth II investing Flight Lieutenant Robert Sabourin with the George Medal, Rideau Hall, 1959.
• George VI 1st type (1940–49): George VI crowned, circumscribed by the legend GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX ET INDIAE IMP:.
• George VI 2nd type (1949–52): George VI crowned, circumscribed by the legend GEORGIVS VI DEI GRA BRITT.OMN REX FID.DEF:+.
• Elizabeth II 1st type (1952–59): Elizabeth II crowned, circumscribed by the legend ELIZABETH II D:G: BR: OMN: REGINA F:D:.
• Elizabeth II 2nd type (1959 to present): Elizabeth II crowned, circumscribed by the legend ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F.D..
George Medal George VI 1st type obverse.
Suspender: A footed suspender through which a 15 mm ring passes and the ribbon.
Ribbon: A red ribbon 32 mm in width bearing 5 equally spaced 2 mm wide stripes of garter blue.
Bars: A silver bar 33 mm wide displaying laurel leaves in the centre slides over the ribbon.
Naming: Engraved or impressed capitals around the rim. Various details have been found engraved around the edge; civilian issues are found with both the full given name and surname or initials and surname, while those to members of the armed forces are found with the number, abbreviated rank, initials, surname, and abbreviated service/corps.
Postnominals: GM.
Other: One award of the GM to a Canadian was cancelled at the request of the recipient.
Number of Awards to Canadians: 76(4 1st bars, 1 cancelled award).
• Second World War: 42 (4 1st bars).
• Korean War: 1.
• Postwar: 31 (1 of these awards was cancelled).
The Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal George VI 1st type obverse.
Origins: The Distinguished Service Medal was created by King George V in October 1914 to be an award junior to the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal for members of the naval services other than commissioned officers. A bar to the DSM was created in 1916, and in 1942 the award was opened to those serving in the Merchant Navy. The modern Canadian equivalent is the Medal of Military Valour.
Criteria: Chief petty officers, petty officers, and men of the naval services who distinguish themselves by acts of pre-eminent bravery in action with the enemy.
Insignia: A circular silver medal 36 mm in diameter, the obverse bearing the effigy of the reigning Sovereign circumscribed by his or her titles. Three issues of this medal have been awarded to Canadians:
• George VI 1st type: Crowned effigy of George VI circumscribed by the legend GEORGIVS VI D: G:BR:OMN:REX ET INDIAE IMP:.
• George VI 2nd type: Crowned effigy of George VI circumscribed by the legend GEORGIVS VI DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF:+.
• Elizabeth II: Crowned effigy of Elizabeth II circumscribed by the legend ELIZABETH II D:G:BR:OMN:REGINA F:D:.
Distinguished Service Medal reverse.
The reverse of this medal has remained unchanged since its inception: a Victorian Crown and the text FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE on three lines within a laurel wreath.
Suspender: A swivelling claw-footed suspender with a straight bar.
Ribbon: A navy blue ribbon 32 mm wide with a 12 mm stripe of white down the centre divvied in half by a 2 mm wide stripe of navy blue.
Bars: A silver bar 33 mm wide with raised edge displaying laurel leaves in the centre slides on the ribbon.
Naming: