History
This is the Military Cross of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, current from 1952. For Australia it is the issue of the Cold War conflicts: Korea, the Malayan Emergency, the Indonesian Confrontation in Borneo, and Vietnam, where the last Military Crosses to Australians were awarded before the introduction of the Australian honours system. The Queen's cypher, EIIR, sits at the centre of the cross.
Australia ceased recommending Imperial honours as it built its own system in the 1970s, and the Military Cross was later replaced for Australians by the Medal for Gallantry. The design, ribbon and criteria remain those of the Military Cross described on the main page; from 1984 the Cross was officially named to the recipient. As an Imperial award it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The Cross is the standard silver Military Cross bearing at its centre the royal cypher of Queen Elizabeth II. From 1984 the Cross has been named to the recipient; earlier issues of the reign carried the year of award engraved on the lower limb until 1957.
The ribbon
White, purple and white in three equal stripes.
The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide, of three equal vertical stripes of white, purple and white.
Clasps
Further acts of gallantry meriting the Cross are recognised by a bar rather than a second cross.
Bar (further award)
A bar is awarded for a further act of gallantry meriting the Cross, worn on the ribbon; when the ribbon alone is worn, a silver rosette denotes each bar.
Eligibility
The Elizabeth II issue was awarded on the criteria of the Military Cross: an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land.
- It was awarded to officers of the rank of captain or below and to warrant officers from 1952; the last awards to Australians were made for Vietnam;
- A bar denotes a further award, with a silver rosette worn on the ribbon when the ribbon alone is worn; posthumous awards have been possible since 1979;
- Recipients are entitled to the post-nominal letters MC. As an Imperial award it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Order of wear
Imperial awards were the honours of Australia before the Australian honours system was established in 1975, and they retain their place in the Order of Wearing. They are worn after the Australian honours of their kind and among the Imperial awards in the order set by the Australian Order of Wearing, which follows the British order of precedence.
Frequently asked questions
What makes this the Elizabeth II issue?
The royal cypher EIIR at the centre of the cross, current from the Queen's accession in 1952.
Which conflicts does it cover for Australians?
Korea, the Malayan Emergency, the Indonesian Confrontation in Borneo, and Vietnam, where the last Military Crosses to Australians were awarded.
Why did Australians stop receiving it?
Australia built its own honours system in the 1970s and ceased recommending Imperial awards; the Military Cross was replaced for Australians by the Medal for Gallantry.
Is it named to the recipient?
From 1984 the Cross has been officially named; issues earlier in the reign carried the year on the lower limb until 1957.
How is it different from the earlier issues?
Only in the sovereign's cypher; the design, ribbon and criteria are common to all Military Crosses.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
Yes, the letters MC.