The George Cross - One for the people

The George Cross is a counterpart to the Victoria Cross and, unlike most medals, is designed primarily for award to the civilian population (although military personnel receive the award for gallant acts not in the presence of the enemy). 

History

The George Cross was created by King George VI on the advice of Winston Churchill in late 1940 during the height of the German blitz on London.  Its intention was to reward the numerous acts of civilian courage taking place on the home front in wartime Britain - 'acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger'.  The George Cross superseded other awards for civilian gallantry.  Unlike these existing awards though, the George Cross was for civilian acts of gallantry in the face of the enemy and it was to hold prestige equivalent to the military equivalent of the Victoria Cross. 

Announcing the new award, King George VI said "In order that they should be worthily and promptly recognised, 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'

Behind the medal

The George Cross has been awarded only 157 times since its inception 67 years ago.  Unsurprisingly, the majority of these awards were made during World War Two.  However, 47 have been issued since 1947 with the most recent being a posthumous award in 2006 to Corporal Mark Wright who, in an attempt to assist his comrades, entered a minefield in Afghanistan.  Corporal Wright's medal citation concludes that "his supreme courage and outstanding leadership were an inspiration to his men. For acts of the greatest gallantry and complete disregard for his own safety in striving to save others, Corporal Wright is awarded the George Cross".  The full text of the medal citation can be read here.

Corporal Wright's parents have since donated his George Cross to the National War Museum at Edinburgh Castle where it is now on display.