Orders:  The Military Divisions of the Orders of the Bath and the British Empire (eg CB, OBE, etc); The Distinguished Service Order (DSO).

Decorations: VC, GC, CGC, RRC, DSC, MC, DFC, AFC, ARRC.

Medals for Gallantry or Distinguished Service: GM, QGM, QVRM.

Other Medals: General Service Medal 1962, the Operational Service Medal and medals for specific campaigns, including multinational medals; MSM; ACSM; Awards for Long and Efficient Service in the Regular, Volunteer Reserve or Cadet Forces (eg LS&GC, VRSM, CFM).

Commendations: Public commendation in the London Gazette by order of the Sovereign includes Mention in Despatches, Queen’s Commendations for Bravery and for Bravery in the Air, or for Valuable Service. This is part of the State system of Honours and Awards. Other commendations promulgated by Commanders-in–Chief and Commanders are not part of the State system but play an important role in recognising gallant and meritorious service.

For more detailed information on each award click on the above link.

Orders

Instituted by King George the First in 1725 as a Military Order of Knighthood. The Military Division comprises three classes: the first class - Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GCB), second class - Knight or Dame Commander (KCB or DCB) and third class - Companion (CB). Each class, dependent upon rank, is bestowed for meritorious service.

Instituted by King George the Fifth in 1917 as an Order of Knighthood. The Military Division comprises five classes. The first class Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GBE), second class Knight or Dame Commander (KBE or DBE), third class Commander (CBE), fourth class officer (OBE) and fifth class Member (MBE). Each class, dependent upon the rank of the recipient, is bestowed for meritorious service. The Medal of the Order (BEM) was discontinued in the United Kingdom in 1993.

Instituted by Queen Victoria in 1886 as a Naval and Military Order of Distinction, designated the Distinguished Service Order, for the purpose of rewarding individual instances of meritorious or distinguished service in war. The single class Order (DSO) is now awarded for highly successful command and leadership during active operations. Between 1993 and 2002 16 awards were made to officers of the Armed Forces.

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Decorations

All may be awarded posthumously.

Victoria Cross (VC). Instituted by Queen Victoria in 1856 to recognise individual gallantry. It is the highest and most prestigious gallantry award for operational service. Since its institution 866 have been awarded to the Army from the total of 1354. Bars denote successive awards. The last two VCs were awarded posthumously to Lieutenant Colonel H Jones and Sergeant I J McKay in 1982 for their gallantry in The Falklands War.

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Medals for Gallantry or Distinguished Service

All may be awarded posthumously.

George Medal (GM). Instituted by King George the Sixth in 1940 to recognise civilian bravery. It is now available to recognise conspicuous gallantry not in operations against the enemy. Between 1993 and 2002 15 awards were made mainly to Servicemen for bomb and explosive ordnance device disposals. It is a silver medal suspended from a red ribbon bearing five vertical blue stripes.

Queen’s Gallantry Medal (QGM). Instituted by Queen Elizabeth the Second in 1974 to recognise an act or act of bravery note in active operations against the enemy at a lower level than that for either the George Cross or the George Medal. Prior to 1974 bravery at this level had been recognised by appointment to the Order of the British Empire. Like the George Medal recipients of the Queen’s Gallantry Medal are mainly, but not exclusively, bomb disposal and explosive ordnance device operators. Between 1993 and 2002 88 awards were made to members of the Armed Forces. The medal in silver is mounted on a dark blue ribbon with a central stripe of pearl grey having a narrow pink stripe at the centre.