Hi Bill
Re: George Cross
I’m on your side on this one. The George Cross was first introduced on September 24th 1940 by King George VI, and is the civilian equivalent of the VC. Only military personnel can win the Victoria Cross. However, they can also be awarded the George Cross for courageous acts carried out away from the enemy, such as defusing an unexploded bomb. For civilians, the George Cross is the highest award for bravery that can be earned. When the new medal was introduced, George VI stated:
“In order that they should be worthily and promptly recognised, I have decided to create, at once, a new mark of honour for men and women in all walks of civilian life. I propose to give my name to this new distinction, which will consist of the George Cross, which will rank next to the Victoria Cross, and the George Medal for wider distribution.”
The George Cross is awarded to civilians for bravery, “for acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger”. The George Medal is awarded for more general deeds of bravery. It can be awarded collectively – e.g. to the Island of Malta.
Cheers
5758 Mike Morres
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Bill,
Regarding the “Morale building quotes from Vice Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson” in this Issue 15 of eVeritas, I would like to add another one, inscribed in big, bold, capital letters above the main entrance of a building opposite the Castle at Royal Roads (can’t remember the name of the building) that every cadet, who ever set foot there, would always be able to recall in an instant, even if he can’t remember the name of the building:
DUTY IS THE GREAT BUSINESS OF A SEA OFFICER: ALL PRIVATE CONSIDERATIONS MUST GIVE WAY TO IT HOWEVER PAINFUL IT IS.
7040 Andrew Payer