FOR CIVILIANS' GALLANTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23770, 25 September 1940, Page 8

FOR CIVILIANS' GALLANTRY

The Victoria Cross, thanks to His Majesty, is no longer to be in solitary eminence "for valour." It will still lead all the rest as a decoration for some signal act of gallantry or devoted patriotism performed in the presence of the enemy by a member of the regular forces or by a volunteer; but next to it in order of precedence is to be the George Cross. His Majesty's own words in announcing this are the best introduction of the new honour: ''Many and glorious are the deeds of gallantry done duping these perilous but famous days, and in order that they should be worthily and promptly recognised I have decided to create at once a new mark of honour for men and women in all walks of civilian life; I propose to give my name to a new distinction, which will consist of the George

Cross, ranking next to the Victoria Cross, and the George Medal for wider distribution." A touch of genius and of "the eternal fitness., of things" is in the Royal innovation. Courage is among the noblest virtues, classic and Christian, and when it is exercised on another's behalf in the face of extreme personal peril it reaches its acme of moral worth. None would wish the Victoria Cross to be robbed of its unique status. Its association with the services whose supreme claim to prestige is their constant readiness to die for others entitles it to special regard. Yet in these days, as the Battle of Britain conspicuously proves, civilians may be thrust by national circumstances and led by great qualities of character into "the front line" of the nation's defence.- Outstandingly heroic conduct in these circumstances by men and women not in the military services merits outstanding recognition, after the manner of the Victoria Cross —awarded for exceptionally self-forgetting gallantry. Bearing the name of a King so deeply revered, a device similar in simplicity to the Victoria Cross would be immediately established in a kindred although not equal esteem. The George Medal, too, is assured of a warm welcome in its allotted place.