MILITARY HONOURS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9869, 15 January 1918, Page 6

MILITARY HONOURS

DISTINCTIONS EXPLAINED

RIBBONS AND THEIR MEANING

Since the present war began 't has been found n-r-ccs-ary to increase ■ tho varieties of distinctions wliicli , the sailors and, soldiers of'the Empire may win. Tliis- is (Ino"primarily to the unprecedentedly largo number of men who have seen active .service of one kind or another. Had the number o' distinctions not been increased, some of the older forms of honours would have run| the risk of being cheapened in the estimation of the public, not because tho deeds done did not warrant tiro conferment of tho longcsiahlislfM honours; *- but because so many of our lighting men performed these acts-of gallantry and devotion that 'ho largo numbers in each class of the pre-war distinctions would have over-loaded it. The new British, honours established since the beginning of the world-war are as rollons :

DOUBLE VICTORIA CROSS. An Army Order issued in August, 101(5. 'announced that a vLC. who rtCCIVCS a bar to that decoration tor a subsequent act ox bravery will wear on tho riband a miniature replica ft tlm cross in bronze, if he holds two bars, ho will wear two miniature croaks, aJa so on. ■\AVAL GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL.

In 1915 ilio King sanctioned the ’ establishment of a medal to be known as tho Kaval General Service Modal to bo awarded for service in minor naval warlike operations, whether m the nature of belligerency or police, which'may be. considered of snlhcieut importance to justify tho award of a medal in cases where no other medal would bo appropriate. The distinctive riband of tub, modal is white, widi crimson borders and two cr'mson stripes. i TUB MILITARY CROSS. In . January, 1915, it was notified "’•that 1 tho King had instituted Tho llliiitary Cross'’ for conferment on captains, commissioned officers or a lower grade, warrant officers, and dian- and colonial military forces. Tho decoration consists of a cross of silver, having tho Imperial Crown on eacn arm. and tho letters “G-K.1.” m tho centre.- The Military Cross must ho worn on tho left breast before all do--corations and medals, with tho exception of tho Victoria Cross, and after all Orders. It hangs from a white riband with a purple stripe Ihe tow distinction confers no mdivmuaproceclonce. Foreign officers of an equivalent rank to those mentioned are eligible for tho honorary award or the i Cross. It was originally stipulated I that the distinction was not to carry any addition after the recipients • name, but in 1916 it was ordained that each should bo entitled to the . letto-s • M.O. after, his name.-Another alteration in tho regulation governing the Military Cross, made at the same time, enables the holder of the Cross to receive a bar for every additional act of gallantry "which would eimitlo tho hero to the award of the Military Cross. , Tho Military Cross may bo conferred upon women who have shown bravery and devotion Under fire, ,>., 3All TO D.S.O. -

A Royal Warrant ordains that any holder of the D.S.O. (Distinguished Service Order) who subsequently performs an act of gallantry which would have entitled him to the Order shall he awarded a bar, to he attached to tho ribbon by which tho Order is suspended. An additional har may be added for every additional act whic i would entitle tho officer to tho D.o.UTHE MILITARY MEDAL.

A distinction which iu>> Icon won by largo numbers of Australian and iievv Zealand soldiers is the Military Modal. This is a new silver medal which the King instituted to signify appreciation for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty performed by non-commissioned , .-Officers and men of tlio army m tho ■■ field., Tho medal bears on the obverse the Royal effigy, and on the ru i y e l^“i words: “For bravery in tho held. it Is to be worn immediately before all war medals, suspended from a ribbon, in colour dark blue, having in. tho centre throe white and two crimson stripes alternating. Men who have been awarded the Military Medal, and ‘ pro recommended for further acts of bravery, may have a bar added to tho : medal. Tho Military Modal may, in exceptional circumstances, bo awarded to women, whether British or foreign - subjects, who have shown bravery and devotion under fire. ; XAKS TO NAVAL DISTINCTIONS. The King has approved of tho award of a , bar reran officer or man in tho Navy possessing the Distinguished vico Cross, Conspicuous Gallantry Medal or Distinguished Service Meual if ha should again perform such service as would render him eligible lor the award of tho particular decoration or ‘ medal had he not already received it. ", decoration badges. A small silver rose is tho distinguishing badge in tho cases of holdom of tho Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal—ono rose for each bar. IMPERIAL BADGE FOR DISCHARGED. A badge is issued to officers and men of tho British. 1 Indian, and oversea forces who have served at Homo or abroad since August 4 th, 1914, and who, on account of ago or physical infirmity arising from wounds or sickness caused bv military service, have retired or been discharged from tho Army. The badge is in tho form of. a circle, 4 and boars the words: “For King and Empire; Services Rendered,’ and circumscribes tho Imperial cypher sur- " mounted by a crown. It is worn in the riebt lapel of tho coat in. civilian clothes only. A similar badge is issued to discharged ntiTal men, nurses m the Armv or Navy, and civilian doctors who" havo occupied positions usuahy hold by officers of the R.A-M.G.