List of George Cross recipients explained

The George Cross (GC) is the second highest award of the United Kingdom honours system. It is awarded for gallantry not "in the presence of the enemy" to both members of the British armed forces and to British civilians. Posthumous awards have always been available. It was previously awarded to Commonwealth countries, most of which have established their own honours systems and no longer recommend British honours. It may be awarded to a person of any military rank in any service and to civilians including police, emergency services and merchant seamen. Many of the awards have been personally presented by the British monarch to recipients and in the case of posthumous awards to next of kin. These investitures are usually held at Buckingham Palace.[1]

Initially, the Empire Gallantry Medal recognised acts of the highest bravery but was never considered equal in status to the Victoria Cross. The George Cross succeeded the Empire Gallantry Medal and all those living who had been awarded the medal, and all posthumous awards from the outbreak of World War II, were obliged to exchange their medal for the George Cross. In 1971, the living recipients of either the Albert Medal for Lifesaving or Edward Medal, that respectively recognised the saving of life and acts of bravery following industrial accidents, were invited to exchange their medals for the George Cross; 24 recipients elected not to exchange their medals.

Since the Second World War most Commonwealth realms have instituted their own honours systems with the second highest award being for gallantry not in the face of the enemy. In 1972, Canada created the Cross of Valour for Canadian citizens;[2] in 1975 Australia, inspired by Canada, created a similar award with the same name in the Australian Honours System, the Cross of Valour. Recipients of the Canadian and Australian awards both use the postnominal CV.[3] Unlike the GC within British honours, the majority of Canadian CV awards and all Australian CV awards have been to civilians. The Australian Government ceased recommendations for British awards in 1983 and the last two Australian state governments ceased recommendations in 1989. During the period when Australian states made recommendations for British awards, the Governor of Victoria recommended a GC which was granted. The award gazetted in 1978 was for 39 years the most recent award to a living civilian, until the award in 2017 to Dominic Troulan. On 5 October 1992, the Australian Prime Minister announced that Australian governments would make no further recommendations for British honours with British awards to Australians after that date being treated as foreign awards. The Queen on the recommendation of the Governor-General of New Zealand awarded the New Zealand Cross, instituted in 1999 to four individuals. There were two awards in 1999 and another two awards in 2021.[4] The postnominal is NZC.[5]

There have been 407 George Cross awards, including two special awards, but no honorary awards. Some recipients serving in British forces were foreign born, including Albert Guérisse (Belgium), Violette Szabo (France), and Noor Inayat Khan (Russia). All three served within the Special Operations Executive during World War II. As of November 2023 there are 12 living recipients.[6]

Individual awards

This list contains all George Cross recipients including former recipients of the Empire Gallantry Medal, the Albert Medal or the Edward Medal who exchanged their earlier award for the George Cross.

The table defaults to sorting alphabetically by name. When sorting by the heading "Rank (or Role)", military ranks take precedence, followed by police ranks and then all civilian roles. Military ranks are sorted by the comparative rank of the recipient within the British Armed Forces, where the Royal Navy takes precedence, followed by the British Army and then Royal Air Force.

It is customary for Indian and Nepalese names to be written with the family name first, which is followed below unless their citation dictates otherwise.[7]


George Cross recipients
Name Rank (or Role) Organisation Award Date gazetted Image
12 March 1920
Deck Hand 12 December 1917
River Traffic Police, Calcutta, Bengal 1 February 1937
4 August 1931
Detachment Leader 30 September 1940
Kaid 3 January 1939
Nurse 19 November 1935
Miner Bentley Colliery Mine Rescue Team 30 September 1932
8 June 1939
12 April 1929
17 September 1940
Captain (acting) 18 April 1946*
Lieutenant (acting) 30 September 1941
27 December 1940
2 August 1928
9 November 1928
21 December 1917
Ashraf-un-Nisa Begum1 February 1937
25 July 1939
Iban Tracker 20 November 1951
Driver 7 May 1957*
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve27 December 1940
29 October 1946*
30 September 1927
Trainee Coalminer 22 November 1929
20 August 1918
Sub-Inspector Punjab Police 1 January 1932
Doctor 16 April 1943
Colliery worker 16 December 1952
5 November 1946*
Major (acting) 22 January 1941
Naik Indian Army 1 January 1938
Lance Corporal 27 November 1936
Sergeant Indian Army 25 November 1930
Colliery Agent 17 April 1936
Senior Engineering Officer merchant seaman 17 August 1943
1 May 1942
Trooper Indian Army 24 July 1931
17 April 1936
3 May 1927
27 September 1974
16 December 1947*
20 December 1930
17 June 1958*
Sub-Inspector Punjab Police 1 January 1932
Shri 19 June 1934
Major (temporary) 11 October 1946
Private 23 June 1936
21 November 1947
Captain (acting) 15 April 1941*
CoxswainCromer Lifeboat 30 June 1924
Mulazim Trans-Jordan Frontier Force 30 June 1939
4 February 1938
4 February 1938
Major Indian Army 8 May 1934
Lieutenant (temporary) 20 June 1944
Radio Officer Merchant Navy – 6 October 1953*
27 June 1941
Private 19 November 1935
13 January 1948
2nd Lieutenant 4 January 1918
Lieutenant Royal Flying Corps 11 January 1918
Mate 27 April 1920
3 June 1925
Major 30 June 1924
Doctor 28 September 1948
Lance Sergeant 17 September 1940
Factory Development Officer 26 September 1944
22 January 1941*
5 July 1940
Flight Sergeant Royal Flying Corps 26 April 1918
7 July 1922
Petty Officer 18 June 1926
Private 2 June 1923
10 February 1948
Flight Lieutenant (acting) 21 January 1944
Assistant Civil Engineer Air Ministry Works Department, Middle East Command 8 March 1940[8]
5 May 1939
3 May 1927
5 August 1938
Apprentice 20 July 1943*
30 December 1919
Teacher Sherrardswood School 7 December 1976*
Pilot Officer 21 December 1937
Midshipman 1 January 1930
17 November 1942
19 November 1935
Boilerman 10 September 1943*
1 June 1923
15 May 1928
25 February 1936
24 July 2008
20 December 1940
Miner 30 September 1932
Fireman 5 February 1946*
Lieutenant (temporary) 30 September 1940
Leading Seaman 23 March 1918
Lieutenant (acting) Royal Marine Light Infantry 7 January 1919
Captain 8 May 1934
4 February 1947
13 December 1945*
23 February 1940
Porter 17 January 1941*
Tram Driver 11 October 1960*
Leading Aircraftman 27 March 1931
7 January 1941
Shri 3 June 1931
Senior Shipwright Diver 1 February 1937
9 November 1943*
23 May 1946
24 December 1940
23 January 1941
Acting Bombardier 22 January 1918
20 December 1940*
Lieutenant 18 July 1919
Private 19 November 1935
District Commissioner 1 February 1972*
Fireman 8 August 1941
Sub-Lieutenant Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve 31 January 1919
Gunner 8 May 1928
6 January 1953
26 July 1940
Constable Cardiff City Police Force 15 October 1948
14 September 1943*
Rais Trans-Jordan Frontier Force 12 July 1938
Fireman merchant seaman 18 March 1919
31 October 2003
15 August 1939
Coxswain Gorleston Lifeboat 30 June 1924
26 January 1926
Farm labourer 8 December 1944
Sergeant 21 August 1917
Captain (acting) 18 April 1946*
27 November 1942*
Deputy Party Leader London County Council Heavy Rescue Service 20 February 1945
Staff Nurse Territorial Force Nursing Service 31 January 1919
29 October 1946*
5 July 1940
Sub-Inspector Punjab Police 3 June 1931
Temporary Lieutenant Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve 11 August 1942
8 February 1927
22 January 1941*
9 June 1942
3 October 1950*
Driver 25 July 1944
23 May 1967
Captain (Explosives Officer) 1 October 1976*
Leading Seaman 26 January 1943
4 June 1934
19 September 1944
15 September 1942
17 June 1930
30 April 1946
Flg Off. 11 November 1939
11 June 1942*
19 April 1946*
13 March 1945*
14 September 1943*
Apprentice merchant seaman 2 February 1943
19 December 1991*
31 July 2015[9]
20 January 1939
Sergeant 2 June 1923
22nd Australian Garrison Battalion 1 September 1950*
Acting Sergeant 22 January 1918
Staff Officer 17 December 1940
Air Stewardess 8 August 1969*
Able Seaman 1 January 1931
Civilian Armament Instructor 3 January 1941
Air Mechanic Ist Class Royal Flying Corps 19 May 1916
Colliery Worker 22 June 1917[10]
Able Seaman 29 June 1943
Cadet Royal Naval Reserve 8 July 1941
Yuzbashi Sudan Defence Force 23 June 1936
Section Leader 17 July 1945
Sub-Officer Gibraltar Dockyard Fire Service 20 November 1951*
3 May 1927
2 April 1943*
Lance Corporal 19 November 1935
Mine Manager Loftus Ironstone Mine 26 May 1936[11]
16 June 1942*
Sub-Lieutenant Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve 2 August 1940
21 January 1941
Manchester Regiment (attached Special Air Service) 23 March 1945*
Ordinary Seaman 2 September 1941
11 October 1974*
26 June 1947*
19 March 2010
16 May 1941
Lieutenant 12 November 1937
20 July 1948
Sergeant 4 January 1918
Shawish Blue Nile Province Police 2 March 1934
27 May 1941*
5 October 1945*
8 October 1940
23 June 1936
24 December 1940
6 November 1990
Overseer 19 March 1926
23 December 1939*
9 September 1938
22nd Australian Garrison Battalion 1 September 1950*
16 October 1930
Assistant River Surveyor Port Commissioners, Calcutta, Bengal 1 February 1937
10 February 1948*
9 November 1943*
Security Guard 15 August 1975*
20 December 1938
Chief Petty Officer Royal Naval Air Service 14 January 1916
Acting Shawish Berber Province Police 29 September 1925
Assistant Section Officer, WAAF; Ensign, FANY 5 April 1949*
13 April 1954
20 October 1931
15 March 1946*
12 December 1917
10 September 1946*
10 May 1949
11 March 1941
5 May 1939
9 December 1927
2 March 1926
Lieutenant 16 August 1940*
Boy 1st Class 8 February 1949
Lance Sergeant 19 November 1935
Chief Petty Officer 15 June 1948
30 December 1955*
Petty Officer 23 December 1927
Staff Sgt Royal Tank Corps 3 July 1926
1 November 1949
5 December 1924
11 March 1943
8 September 1942
Mata Din Lance-Naik Indian Army 19 November 1935
28 November 1947*
Lieutenant Commander 11 November 1929
Leading Seaman 25 November 1947
Aircraftman Royal Australian Air Force 18 February 1938
Private 25 July 1939
13 June 1919
31 May 1940*
Boatswain 27 July 1943
Corporal 19 July 1940
23 July 1909
FltCadet 18 October 1929
Corporal 12 April 1929
29 December 1931
Experimental Officer 3 December 1940
Able Seaman 29 April 1941
Air Raid Warden 17 January 1941*
Able Seaman 16 August 1940*
14 January 1941
Private 2 June 1923
2 January 1933
Acting 2nd Hand Royal Naval Reserve 29 April 1941
Sub-Lieutenant (temporary) 27 December 1940
4 July 1924
Constable Royal Ulster Constabulary 3 June 1924
Fireman 28 March 1941
13 December 1940
Private 25 February 1938
3 November 1942
17 December 1940*
Nafar Khartoum Police Force 12 December 1924
Journalist 29 June 1965*
13 February 1979*
Naik 19 November 1935
1 February 1937
Sol Khartoum Police Force 12 December 1924
4 March 1941
Acting Mate 1 March 1918
Colonel (temporary) 18 April 1946*
1 March 1946*
Fireman 25 July 1944*
Able Seaman 1 January 1930
21 November 1944
23 March 2006
(Albert-Marie Edmond Guérrise) 5 November 1946
Driver 19 October 1965*
Explosive Worker 6 February 1940
Dick Oliver Leading Seaman 2 August 1928
9 October 1934
SpHd.Cons Ulster Special Constabulary 3 June 1924
10 July 1942*
Reverend 30 June 1924
Pilot Officer Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 6 August 1940
2 April 1943*
17 December 1940
Corporal Women's Auxiliary Air Force 19 July 1940
20 October 1925
Pir Khan Subedar-Major Indian Army 28 June 1940
17 April 1936
4 July 1978
1 April 1947*
22 November 1929
23 October 1951*
2nd Lieutenant 3 January 1919
10 September 1946*
Babu 1 January 1935
23 September 1941*
Chief Officer merchant seaman 25 May 1943
26 May 1944*
Lieutenant 17 September 1940
Sergeant Royal Flying Corps 1 January 1918
6 July 1923
14 November 1972*
Randolph Gordon Ridling Lieutenant New Zealand Army 9 December 1919
3 October 1944
Sergeant Bombay Police Force 3 June 1931
Acting Flight Commander Royal Naval Air Service 18 June 1918
20 July 1948
AsstSurgeon Indian Army 2 June 1923
19 March 1965*
Staff Sergeant (acting) 11 October 1946
27 October 1944
10 August 1943
24 December 1948*
20 December 1940*
20 August 1946
Doctor 19 August 1937
8 October 1940
19 March 2010*
Corporal (acting) 8 July 1941
12 September 1946*
Explosive Worker 6 February 1940
20 July 1948
3 October 2014
14 February 1930
13 June 1944*
21 January 1941
28 June 1940
Member 30 May 1944
19 October 1945*
Miner 30 September 1932
23 January 1941*
Detail fitter 29 June 1965*
7 January 1944*
19 November 1935
Deck Hand Royal Naval Reserve 16 May 1918
21 October 1958
Lieutenant Colonel 26 June 1928
Principal Officer 23 October 1928
Chief Officer 23 November 1943
11 January 1972
30 June 1944*
Chief Field Research and Experimental Officer 18 July 1941*
Miner 30 September 1932
Explosive Worker 6 February 1940
3 August 1943
17 December 1946*
Shawish Khartoum Police Force 12 December 1924
2nd Lieutenant 17 September 1940
19 June 1934
Vulcanologist Commonwealth Bureau of Mineral Resources 22 April 1952
Captain 9 July 1937
Newspaper advertising representative 1 August 1950*
14 January 1941
Assistant Surveyor 30 September 1932
31 March 1931
2 March 1934
6 February 1934
2 February 1945*
28 June 1940
Flg Off. 6 August 1940
6 September 1932
2 June 1923
Security Consultant16 June 2017
14 January 1941
Shunter 24 January 1941
27 June 1941
Radio Officer merchant seaman 13 October 1939
18 March 1927
14 February 1930
(Purves)1 November 1949
14 November 1972
Petty Officer 15 December 1942
Temporary Lieutenant 8 June 1948
6 June 1930
30 December 1922
13 April 1954*
2 April 1946
Flight Lieutenant Royal Naval Air Service 8 March 1918
Flight Sergeant Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 5 August 1932
9 June 1944
24 October 1941
13 August 1948
5 September 1922
30 September 1949
22 October 1926
25 May 1971*
29 November 1932
Lance Corporal 30 August 1918
22 August 1924
Pilot Officer 31 January 1930
28 June 1940
28 March 1911
28 September 1948*
Warrant Officer Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve 13 April 1945
15 December 2006*
30 September 1940
Havildar 19 November 1935
Miner 30 September 1932
Constable Khartoum Police Force 1 January 1932
15 February 1946
1 January 1917
20 July 1945*
20 July 1948

List of 407 individual George Cross recipients with note whether original or exchange award. The three collective are not listed.[12]

Group awards

By express instruction of King George VI, the Island of Malta has been awarded the George Cross collectively in perpetuity. In a letter to Malta's Governor (Lieutenant-General Sir William Dobbie) dated 15 April 1942, King George VI awarded the George Cross "to the Island Fortress of Malta to bear witness to a heroism and devotion that will long be famous in history". Dobbie replied: "By God's help Malta will not weaken but will endure until victory is won."

In a similar manner, Queen Elizabeth II awarded the Royal Ulster Constabulary the George Cross on 23 November 1999. Buckingham Palace announced that it was awarded "to honour the courage and dedication of the officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and their families who have shared their hardship".[13] Queen Elizabeth II presented it in person at Hillsborough Castle, County Down. On 4 November 2001, the Royal Ulster Constabulary was reorganised and renamed as the Police Service of Northern Ireland with most former RUC officers remaining https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/32/section/1 in the new organisation .[14]

On 5 July 2021, on the 73rd anniversary of the NHS, and during the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Queen awarded the George Cross to the National Health Service staff of the United Kingdom. The Queen wrote in a personal message: "It is with great pleasure, on behalf of a grateful nation, that I award the George Cross to the National Health Services of the United Kingdom. This award recognises all NHS staff, past and present, across all disciplines and all four nations. Over more than seven decades, and especially in recent times, you have supported the people of our country with courage, compassion and dedication, demonstrating the highest standards of public service. You have our enduring thanks and heartfelt appreciation. Elizabeth R."[15]

See also

References

General

External links

Notes and References

  1. Mussell, J. W. (Editor), (2015), Medal Yearbook 2016 (Token Publishing Ltd: Devon)
  2. Web site: Letters patent repealing the Canadian Bravery Decorations Regulations, 1997 and making the Canadian Bravery Decorations Regulations, 2005 . 9 June 2005 . 28 February 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130523034627/http://www.gazette.gc.ca/archives/p1/2005/2005-10-22/html/order-decret-eng.html#a . 23 May 2013 . dead .
  3. Web site: 29 September 2008. It's an Honour: Cross of Valour. 28 February 2013. 27 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160227162748/http://itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/awards/medals/valour.cfm. live.
  4. Web site: Special Honours List 16 December 2021 - Citations for New Zealand Bravery Awards .
  5. Web site: New Zealand Gallantry and Bravery Awards - The New Zealand Cross (NZC) . 28 February 2013 . 6 May 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130506102754/http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/category/d/d2.html . live .
  6. Web site: Our People . Victoria Cross and George Cross Association . 15 September 2021 . 5 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211005002912/https://vcgca.org/our-people . live .
  7. Brazier, Kevin; p.11
  8. "Bravery in Spinning Aeroplane." Times [London, England] 9 March 1940: 3. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 19 Mar. 2016.
  9. The London Gazette

    no. 61311. p. 14242 . 3 August 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2015.

  10. "Brave Deeds in Mine And Factory." Times [London, England] 23 June 1917: 3. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 19 March 2016.
  11. "Gallantry of Mine Manager." Times [London, England] 27 May 1936: 13. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 19 March 2016.
  12. Web site: Royals celebrate NHS anniversary with George Cross and tea party . BBC News . 2021-11-25 . 5 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210705063229/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57714088 . live .
  13. Book: Turner . John Frayn . Awards of the George Cross 1940–2009 . Royal Ulster Constabulary . 2010 . . 978-1-84884-200-7 . 165 . 2 . 24 February 2015 . 25 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211125151608/https://books.google.com/books?id=m7aZFx_RW-kC&q=%22Awards+of+the+George+Cross+1940-2009%22+%2B+Royal+Ulster+Constabulary&pg=PA165 . live .
  14. News: 'New era' as NI police change name . BBC . 4 November 2001 . 28 February 2013 . 28 August 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170828054111/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/1636780.stm . live .
  15. Web site: Queen awards George Cross to NHS to mark 70 years of public service. The Guardian. 5 July 2021. 14 July 2021. 13 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210713055800/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jul/05/queen-awards-george-cross-to-nhs-to-mark-70-years-of-public-service. live.

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