CIVILIAN HEROES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23770, 25 September 1940, Page 10

CIVILIAN HEROES

THE GEOEGE CEOSS CONDITIONS OF AWARD HIGH STANDARD TO BE SET By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received September 24, 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Sept. 23 The new decoration announced by His Majesty the King, the George Cross, is intended to be awarded for deeds of valour by civilian men and women in all walks of life. It will rank after the Victoria Cross. Posthumous grants may be made and the cross will be worn before all orders and other decorations. It will tako the place of the Empire Gallantry Medal, the present holders of which will receive the cross in substitution. The George Modal will bo granted more freely for civilian deeds of bravery, although it is intended thatthe standard will bo high. Lord Chatfield, chairman of the committee on gallantry awards for civil defence, is charged with ensuring that immediate reports are made by the authorities and organisations concerned. There will also bo a small military division of the George Cross to enable special awards to be made to members of the Services. The now decorations will ensure the recognition of the many acts of bravery being carried out almost every day by civilians in England in the face of the ruthless and indiscriminate bombing by the German air force. The need for civilian decorations has not previously arisen to the same extent as in the present conflict. Prior to the new medals, the principal decoration for bravery on the part of civilians was the Albert Medal. This was instituted in 1866 by Queen Victoria in memory of the Prince Consort and was originally awarded to civilians for gallantry in saving life at sea. In 1877, however, the award was extended to include acts of bravery on land. There are two classes. The medal, which is in gold in the first class and in bronze in the second,, is oval and bears the monogram V.A. In the medal awarded for bravery at sea the design of an anchor is included in the monogram. The most famous award for gallantry, the Victoria Cross, was instituted in 1856. To qualify, the recipient must have performed some conspicuous act of bravery in • the presence of the enemy. The Victoria Cross takes precedence over all other orders and medals and the fact that the new decoration, the George Cross, ranks next to it is proof of the recognition of the staunch courage of the civilian in the present war.

SHIPS DETAINED BRITISH VESSELS ACTION BY • JAPANESE NO REPLY TO PROTEST (Received September 24, 8.15 p.m.) SHANGHAI, Sept. 23 Three British ships have been detained in China coast waters by the Japanese. They are the Jessie Moller, Edith Moller, and Kong'so. . It was stated at the British Embassy that tlio Japanese had not yet replied to the British representations requesting an explanation of the incident when the Japanese shelled and detained the British vessel Mario Moller last Fridaj'. It is reported from Tokio that the Japanese Foreign Office announced that it had directed its Consul-General at Singapore to strongly protest against the arrests of two Japanese and to demand their immediate release, one of the Japanese being a member of the consular staff.

The Doinei news agency called the British action a national affront, and conneoted the incident with proposals to give the United States Fleet facilities at Singapore.

AIRCRAFT WORKERS MINISTER'S APPEAL CALL FOR GREATER OUTPUT (Received September 24, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 23 The Minister of Aircraft Production, Lord Beaverbrook, appealing to aircraft workers for increased production, said: "I havo seen statements about some workers in aircraft factories sheltering throughout air raid warnings. I declare that aircraft factories must be prepared to work after the siren has sounded. "It is imperative that there should be a considerable increase in output during the coming week, for the testing time may come upon us nt the shortest notice. It is the duty of aircraft factories to supply the men on the fighting front with all the aircraft required."