History
This is the Military Cross as first instituted, carrying the royal cypher of King George V, the monarch who created the award on 28 December 1914. It is the issue of the First World War, when the great majority of Australia's Military Crosses were won, and of the interwar years until the King's death in 1936: the cross pinned to the tunics of the platoon and company commanders of the Western Front and the Middle East.
The great flood of Australian awards belongs to this reign: of the 2,930 Military Crosses to Australians between 1901 and 1972, the largest share are George V issues from 1915 to 1918. The design, the ribbon and the criteria are those of the Military Cross described on the main page; what distinguishes this issue is the sovereign's cypher at its centre. 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, its arms terminating in broad finials decorated with imperial crowns, bearing at its centre the royal cypher of King George V. The reverse is plain and, in this reign, unnamed and undated as issued.
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 George V 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 during the reign of King George V, from 1914 to 1936;
- A bar denotes a further award, with a silver rosette worn on the ribbon when the ribbon alone is worn;
- 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 George V issue?
The royal cypher of King George V at the centre of the cross. He instituted the award in 1914, and this issue was current throughout his reign to 1936.
Which era does it belong to?
Chiefly the First World War, when the great majority of Australia's Military Crosses were won, and the interwar years to 1936.
How is it different from the later issues?
Only in the sovereign's cypher: the design, ribbon and criteria are common to all Military Crosses. Later issues carry the cyphers of George VI and Elizabeth II.
Is it named to the recipient?
As issued in this reign it was unnamed and undated; official naming came only from 1984, in a later reign.
How are further awards shown?
By a bar on the ribbon, with a silver rosette worn when the ribbon alone is displayed.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
Yes, the letters MC.