George Medal
From Free net encyclopedia
The George Medal was created by Britain’s King George VI on 24 September, 1940. It is the second highest award for gallantry that a civilian can be awarded in the United Kingdom or the Commonwealth of Nations. At this time (at the height of The Blitz) there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage, yet there was also concern that issuing a large number of George Crosses might undermine that award. The George Medal was introduced to act as a junior award.
Like the George Cross, the George Medal can also be awarded to military personnel if their gallantry is not in the face of the enemy. Originally not issued posthumously, the warrant was amended in 1977 to allow this, and several have been awarded since then. Recipients may use the post-nominal letters “GM.”
The Medal itself is silver, and is 1.42 inches in diameter, and has the recipient’s name impressed in capital letters around the rim. The obverse shows the head of the reigning Monarch (either King George VI or Queen Elizabeth II), and the reverse shows Saint George slaying the dragon. A bar for second awards is authorised.
It is believed that around 2,000 George Medals have been awarded. Recent recipients include school nursery nurse Lisa Potts, who protected her children from a machete attack, and Winchman William Deacon (posthumously), who saved the crew of a freighter before being swept overboard.