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A plain silver cross bearing St George and the dragon, for gallantry away from the enemy.
Also known as: GC, Silver cross with a dragon
A silver Greek cross with St George slaying the dragon at its centre. Instituted in 1940 for acts of the greatest heroism not in the face of the enemy, which makes it the civilian counterpart of the Victoria Cross and equal to it in precedence.
A plain silver Greek cross bearing at its centre a circular medallion showing St George and the dragon, with the inscription FOR GALLANTRY around it and the royal cypher in each angle.
United Kingdom and Commonwealth · Contexts: History
Instituted in 1940 for acts of the greatest heroism or courage in circumstances of extreme danger not in the presence of the enemy, and awarded largely though not exclusively to civilians.
From 1940
Ranks equal to the Victoria Cross and immediately after it in the order of wear, which makes the two together the head of the entire British honours system.
United Kingdom
Awarded collectively on rare occasions — to the island of Malta in 1942 and to the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1999 — which is unusual for a gallantry decoration and is why the cross appears on the flag of Malta.
A plain silver cross with four equal straight arms and a circular medallion at the centre showing a mounted figure spearing a dragon.
Both are the highest British awards, one for gallantry before the enemy and one for gallantry not in the face of the enemy.