We are sure you will know all awards for Gallantry and Meritorious Service are announced in the London Gazette. For many there are official recommendations available or correspondence giving details for the reason for the award. Here we give you an idea of what may be available. All awards are covered from the Victoria Cross or George Cross to Mention in Despatches or Commendation. A search will be made for the recommendation, correspondence or despatch giving details for the award as well as any operational records available if for a specific action. A copy of the entry in the London Gazette announcing the award will be supplied.

Army

Pre 1914 – Although not complete details will be available for many awards dating back to the Crimean War including the VC, DSO and DCM. For the Boer War 1899 – 1902 there is extensive correspondence and despatches as well as official recommendations available. These also cover details for many Mentioned in Despatches. Many were recommended for a DCM or DSO but the award was downgraded to an MID. I have complied so far a database of some 5’000 names as they can very difficult to trace in the many files.

First World War – Citations for the VC, DSO, MC and DCM were published in the London Gazette during the Great War. However if the DSO or MC was a King’s Birthday or New Year award details were not published and in most cases will not be available. The citations published in the LG did not usually give details of the place and date of the action for which awarded for security reasons. For most of these I can obtain these details from the War Office copy of the gazette. This can enable a search of the unit War Diary which will give a broader picture of the action for which awarded. In the case of the Military Medal recommendations have not survived and are announced by name, ranks, number and unit only in the London Gazette. However once the unit and date of the award is known a search can be made of the War Diary. These quite often mention awards, sometimes giving a date of the action and on occasions a recommendation. In general no recommendations for Mention in Despatches survive for the army during WW1.

1918 – 1939 – Some recommendations for this period can be obtained but the availability is very sketchy.

Second World War – Most recommendations for gallantry awards during WW2 are available. Also many for the CBE, OBE, MBE, BEM, RRC, ARRC, GM etc. In a few cases recommendations for Mention in Despatches are available. If for a specific action War Diary extracts will be copied for the date. Also available are many recommendations for awards from our allies.

1945 – 1990 – A large proportion of recommendations for Gallantry and Meritorious awards are available to 1990 bar the odd period or still sensitive theatres of operations. Those available are Korea, Kenya, Malaya, Cyprus, Suez, Aden, South Arabia, Borneo, Malay Peninsula, Dhofar and the Falklands. Also available are non-combatant gallantry awards and King’s/Queen’s New Year and Birthday awards. For some campaigns recommendations include awards to Mention in Despatches or Commendation’s. This is the case for the Falklands.

Royal Navy & Royal Marines

Pre 1914 – From the Crimean War many of the recommendations for awards survive amongst Admiralty correspondence. All Wars and Campaigns are covered and include those Mentioned in Despatches. For the Crimean War those awarded foreign awards for gallantry often have a short citation. Although these early awards can be some of the most complex to trace they can be some of the most interesting.

First World War – For most RN Commissioned Officers a recommendation will be available for awards including Mention in Despatches. For RM Officer availability varies depending on Sea service or service with the Royal Naval Division. For most some details will be available. Sometimes RM officers have the details noted on their service record.

Recommendations for awards to Ratings of the Royal Navy can be traced in at least 50% of cases. They vary from official forms to details from reports of actions. These also include some Mention in Despatches.

Royal Marines other ranks in the Royal Naval Division etc recommendations will be available for the DCM and in a few cases the MM. For those who were on sea service the availability is similar to RN ratings.

Recommendations for some foreign awards granted are also available.

1920 - 1939 – For this period very few recommendations are available.

Second World War – This is one of the most complete series of available. It covers all awards as well as Mention in Despatches. There are a few gaps including some King’s New Year and Birthday awards.

Post WW2 – Some recommendations for Post-war conflicts are available. Those for Suez as well as Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel who served ashore in the Falklands War can be obtained. There are various other periods covered in part.

Royal Flying Corps, Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force

First World War – Recommendation for most awards to the RFC, RNAS & RAF are available. For those where a citation was published in the London Gazette the original is often much more detailed. Recommendations are also available for the Military Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and in some cases Mentions in Despatches.

Royal Air Force

1918 – 1939 – The files for awards during this period sometimes contain a recommendation other may have the submission to the King.

Second World War – Most recommendations survive for the RAF during WW2. Including VC, CGM (Flying), DFC, AFC, DFM, AFM, CB, CBE, OBE, MBE, BEM etc. Very few for Mention in despatches survive. For aircrew awards these often give a list of operations flown to date.

1945 – c1975 – Although not complete there are many recommendations for awards for the post war period. The major wars and campaigns covered are Korea, Malaya, Suez and Kenya.

Merchant Navy

First World War – The availability for the MN during WW1 are similar to those of the Royal Navy. Usually about a 50% success rate.

Second World War – Details for the awards to the Merchant Navy during WW2 are very extensive. Awards include DSO, GC, GM, CBE, OBE, MBE, BEM etc. Also available are recommendations for Mentions in Despatches and King’s Commendations.

Other periods – Details of the reason for some official lifesaving awards are available from 1856 to 1980. Details for awards of the Albert Medal, George Cross, George Medal are often available as well as in some cases awards of the OBE, MBE & BEM.

Civilians

Second World War – Many awards were made to civilian’s organisations during WW2 for service in the ARP, Home Guard, Fire and Rescue Service etc. In most cases the recommendations have survived for the many people involved in Civil Defence during the war as well as civilians granted awards. These include all awards including King’s Commendations. Some of these recommendations are very detailed.

Other periods – For awards during other periods some information might be available depending of the award and the era.