Medals for Bravery
First World War Military Honours Awarded to Addingham Men
The British (Imperial) Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.) was awarded to the following Addingham Men:
- Corporal H. Horsman D.C.M. West YorkshireRegiment (Ilkley Pals)
- Sergeant Major Jack Kettlewell D.C.M. Duke of Wellingtons Regiment (Jack Kettlewell and family.)
Both the above men attended Mount Hermon Sunday School in their younger days.
The British Military Medal (M.M.) was awarded to the following Addingham Men:
- Corporal L. Baul M.M. 5thYorkshireRegiment machine gun section
- Corporal James Hilbeck M.M. R.E.
- Sergeant F. Holmes M.M. 210th Field Coy R.E., also mentioned in despatches
- Private Arthur Jacobs M.M. Northampton Regiment, formerly of Addingham.
- Corporal Lawrence M.M. Machine Corps
- Lance-Corporal G. H. Strickland M.M. West YorksRegiment
- Private J. H. Thomson M.M. Headquarters Staff
- Corporal Arthur Holmes M.M. Royal Engineers, also awarded the Belgium Medal Croix De Guerre.
Gallantry Cards
- Sergeant H. Hustwick. West YorkshireRegiment of Addingham
- Granted Higher rates of pay under Royal Warrant
- Corporal H Horsman D.C.M., West Yorkshire Rgt. (Ilkley Pals)
- Sgt Major Jack Kettlewell D.C.M., Duke of Wellington’s Rgt.
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
The need for a gallantry medal for other ranks was first recognised during the Crimean War, although previously the Meritorious Service Medal (qv) had very occasionally been awarded for gallantry in the field. Since 1916 the DCM has ranked as a superior decoration to the Military Medal – It was thus the second highest award for gallantry in action (after the Victoria Cross) for all army ranks below commissioned officers and was available to navy and air force personnel also for distinguished conduct in the field. As a result of the 1993 Review of gallantry awards and resultant changes to the operational gallantry award system, the decoration has been replaced by the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.
Bars
A silver, laurelled bar was awarded for a subsequent act or acts of distinguished conduct in the field. Prior to 1916 these were plain dated bars.
Description
A circular, silver medal, 1.42 inches in diameter.
Obverse
Originally a trophy of arms but, since 1902, the effigy of the reigning sovereign.
Reverse
The reverse shows FOR/DISTINGUISHED/CONDUCT/IN THE FIELD in four lines, with a horizontal line through a small oval wreath below the wording. Some Edward VII medals had the word CANADA above the inscription.
Mounting
An ornate scroll suspender is attached to the medal by a single-toe claw.
Naming
The regimental or equivalent number, rank, initials, surname and unit of the recipient are impressed in plain block capitals around the rim of the medal.
Ribbon
The crimson ribbon is 1.25 inches wide with a dark blue central stripe (0.375).
Dates
The DCM was created on 04 December 1854, because of the Crimea War .
Issued
Total Issued – ?
There were 2,132 awards to Canadian Army and RCAF personnel, plus 38 first bars and 1 second bar.
Metal
Silver
Size
36mm
Miltary Medal (M.M.)
(The British Imperial Military Medal)
Awarded to NCOs and men of the Army for individual or associated acts of bravery not of sufficient heroism as to merit the DCM. In June 1916 it was extended to women, two of the earliest awards being to civilian ladies for their conduct during the Easter Rising in Dublin that year.
Bar
The silver, laurelled bar is awarded for a subsequent act or acts of bravery and devotion under fire.
Description
A circular, silver medal, 1.42 inches in diameter.
Obverse
The sovereign’s effigy – six types
King George V: A bareheaded effigy, in Field Marshal’s uniform, facing left, and the legend:GEORGEIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:
King George VI:A crowned effigy~ facing left, and one of the legends:
(a) GEORGEIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX ET INDIAE IMP: (for WWII) (b) GEORGEIVS VI DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: (for Korea)
Queen Elizabeth 11: A crowned effigy, facing right, and the legend:
ELIZABETH 11 D: G: BR: OMN: REGINA R: D: