George Cross facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The George Cross (often called the GC) is a very special award given by the British government. It's the highest award for bravery when someone isn't directly fighting an enemy. Think of it as being just as important as the Victoria Cross, which is the top award for military bravery in battle.

The George Cross is given for "acts of the greatest heroism or for most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger." This means it's for incredibly brave actions when there's a lot of danger, but not necessarily during a war battle. It can be given to members of the British armed forces, but also to everyday people like police officers, firefighters, and other civilians. Sometimes, it's even given after a person has died, to honor their bravery.

This award has also been given to people in Commonwealth countries, and in three special cases, to entire groups or places! The King or Queen of the United Kingdom often presents the award in person at Buckingham Palace.

Quick facts for kids George Cross
Obverse of the cross. Ribbon: 1½", dark blue
Awarded for	Height 48 mm, max. width 45 mm; (Obverse) plain silver cross with circular medallion in the centre depicting the effigy of St George and the Dragon, surrounded by the words "FOR GALLANTRY". In the angle of each limb is the Royal Cypher GVI; (Reverse) plain, centre engraved with name of recipient and date of award. Cross attached by ring to bar ornamented with laurel leaves, through which the ribbon passes.
Presented by	Monarch of the United Kingdom

Why Was the George Cross Created?
What Makes Someone Eligible for the Award?
Who Has Received the George Cross?
- Collective Awards
- Awards to Commonwealth Countries
What About Money for Recipients?
Rules for Using the George Cross Name
Images for kids
See also

Why Was the George Cross Created?

The George Cross was started on 24 September 1940 by King George VI. This was during World War II, right after the Battle of Britain and during the the Blitz, when German planes were bombing British cities. Many ordinary people were showing incredible bravery.

The King wanted a special way to recognize these brave actions by civilians. The awards that existed at the time didn't seem quite right for this new situation. So, he decided to create the George Cross and the George Medal. These awards would honor civilian bravery during enemy attacks and other brave deeds.

When he announced the new award, King George VI said:

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 medal was designed by an artist named Percy Metcalfe. The official document for the George Cross was published in January 1941. The King made it clear that the George Cross would be almost as important as the Victoria Cross. It was a much higher honor than other awards for bravery that weren't for combat. In fact, people who had received older awards for bravery, like the Empire Gallantry Medal, were asked to exchange them for the new George Cross.

What Makes Someone Eligible for the Award?

The George Cross can be given even after a person has died. It's given for:

acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger.

This award is mainly for civilians. But it can also be given to military people if their brave actions weren't in direct combat with the enemy. The rules state that it's for actions "for which purely military Honours are not normally granted."

The George Cross is worn on the left side of the chest, hanging from a dark blue ribbon. It is worn right after the Victoria Cross. If a woman receives the award, she can wear it on her left shoulder, with the ribbon tied into a bow.

If someone performs another act of bravery that deserves the George Cross, they can receive a "bar" to wear on their ribbon. So far, no one has received a second George Cross. When people wear their everyday uniform or just the ribbon, a tiny copy of the cross is attached to the center of the ribbon. This is a special feature shared only with the Victoria Cross.

People who receive the George Cross can use the letters "GC" after their name.

Who Has Received the George Cross?

Since it was created in 1940, the George Cross has been awarded 416 times. Most of these awards (401) went to men, and 12 went to women. Three times, the award was given to an entire group or place. About half of all recipients have been civilians.

Collective Awards

The George Cross has been awarded to the island of Malta, the Royal Ulster Constabulary (a police force), and the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom.

Malta's Bravery

The flag of Malta displays its George Cross.

The George Cross was awarded to the island of Malta on 15 April 1942. During World War II, Malta was a very important island in the Mediterranean Sea. It was bombed heavily by enemy planes and faced a naval blockade, which meant it was hard to get supplies. The people of Malta showed incredible courage and determination.

King George VI sent a letter to Malta's Governor, saying:

To honour her brave people, I award the George Cross to the Island Fortress of Malta to bear witness to a heroism and devotion that will long be famous in history.

The Governor replied that Malta would "endure until victory is won." The actual cross and these messages are now in the War Museum in Malta. The bravery of the Maltese people was admired by many countries. The George Cross was even added to the Flag of Malta in 1943, and it's still there today!

The George Cross awarded to Malta (National War Museum, Malta)

Royal Ulster Constabulary's Courage

The George Cross was awarded to the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) in 1999 by Queen Elizabeth II. The RUC was the police force in Northern Ireland. For 30 years, they faced a lot of danger from a terrorism campaign. Many officers were killed or seriously injured while protecting people.

The Queen's statement said the award recognized the "collective courage and dedication to duty of all of those who have served in the Royal Ulster Constabulary." She presented the George Cross on 12 April 2000. A police officer who had lost both legs in an attack accepted the award. The RUC is often called "RUC GC" because of this special honor.

National Health Service's Dedication

On 5 July 2021, the George Cross was awarded to the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom. This happened on the 73rd anniversary of the NHS's creation. The award came after 18 months where the NHS was at the forefront of fighting the coronavirus pandemic.

Queen Elizabeth II wrote a personal message saying:

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.

This award recognized the incredible work and sacrifices of all NHS staff during the pandemic and throughout its history.

Awards to Commonwealth Countries

The George Cross has also been awarded to brave individuals in other Commonwealth countries.

Canadians Honored

Ten George Crosses have been awarded to Canadians, including nine men and one woman. However, Canada now has its own award for bravery, called the Cross of Valour, so the George Cross is no longer awarded to Canadians.

Australian Heroes

Memorial to Australian recipients, George Cross Park, Canberra

Twenty-three Australians have received the George Cross. This includes 11 members of the Australian forces and 12 civilians. It is the highest bravery award in Australia, after the Victoria Cross. Australia also created its own bravery award, the Cross of Valour, in 1975.

Some notable Australian recipients include:

Four officers from the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve who bravely disposed of dangerous mines during World War II.
Privates Benjamin Gower Hardy and Ralph Jones, who were awarded the George Cross after they died. They bravely fought against escaping Japanese prisoners of war during the Cowra breakout in 1944.
Captain Lionel Colin Matthews, a prisoner of war who was executed for building a resistance network during World War II.
Private Horace William Madden, a prisoner of war in Korea who died helping other prisoners and resisting the enemy.
Constable Michael Kenneth Pratt, a police officer who arrested two armed bank robbers in 1976.

A special memorial called George Cross Park was opened in Canberra, Australia, in 2001 to honor Australian recipients.

New Zealand's Brave Deeds

In 1999, New Zealand created its own award, the New Zealand Cross, to take the place of the George Cross. The last George Cross awarded to a New Zealander was given after his death to Sergeant Stewart Guthrie of the New Zealand Police. He was honored for his bravery during a terrible event called the Aramoana massacre.

What About Money for Recipients?

People who hold the Victoria Cross or the George Cross are entitled to a yearly payment, called an annuity. The amount of this payment is decided by the government that awarded it. For example, as of 2015, the British government paid £10,000 per year. Canada and Australia also provide similar payments to their George Cross recipients.

Rules for Using the George Cross Name

In Malta, since 1943, it's against the law to use the George Cross, or even its name, for business or trade without special permission from the Prime Minister. This rule helps protect the honor and meaning of the award.