Queen's Commendation for Bravery

The Queen's Commendation for Bravery and the Queen's Commendation for Bravery in the Air are United Kingdom awards,[1] open to both military personnel and civilians. They were established in 1994, when the award of the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct and the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air were discontinued.[2]

Not to be confused with Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct or Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service.
Queen's Commendation for Bravery
Queen's Commendation for Bravery in the Air

Queen's Commendation for Bravery
Queen's Commendation for Bravery in the Air
TypeBravery award
Awarded forBravery not in action against an enemy
DescriptionRibbon device in silver
Presented bythe United Kingdom
EligibilityBoth service personnel and civilians
StatusCurrently awarded
Established1994

Criteria

The two awards are granted for bravery entailing risk to life and meriting national recognition, but not to the standard required of the Queen's Gallantry Medal. Classed as 'level 4' awards by the Ministry of Defence, they are the lowest level of bravery award, alongside a mention in dispatches. The awards do not give rise to post-nominal letters.[3]

The Queen's Commendation for Bravery is open to both to civilians in peacetime conditions and to all ranks of the British Armed Forces for actions not in the presence of an enemy. It is denoted by a silver spray of laurel leaves.[4]

The Queen's Commendation for Bravery in the Air is awarded on the same basis, but for acts of bravery in the air. It is denoted by a flying eagle in silver.[4]

Queen’s Commendations can be awarded posthumously,[4] and are not restricted to British subjects.

Manner of wear

The holder is entitled to wear the appropriate device in a similar manner to a mention in despatches. If awarded for bravery in a theatre for which a campaign medal has been granted, it is worn on the ribbon of the appropriate medal. When awarded in peacetime conditions and when no medal is issued, the emblem is worn on the uniform or coat after any medal ribbons. Recipients with no medals wear the device in the position that a single medal would be worn.[5]

From 2003, in addition to British campaign medals, commendation and mention in despatches devices can be worn on United Nations, NATO and EU medals.[6] Originally only one commendation or mention in dispatches emblem of each category could be worn on any one medal ribbon.[7] In a change introduced in 2014, those with multiple awards may wear up to three of each commendation and mention in dispatch devices on a single campaign medal and ribbon bar.[8]

King's and Queen's Commendation awards

This table summarises the various King's and Queen's Commendations awarded by the United Kingdom:

PeriodFor BraveryFor Bravery (Air)For valuable serviceFor valuable service (Air)
1939 - 1952[9]King's Commendation for
Brave Conduct		––King’s Commendation for
Valuable Service in the Air
1952 - 1994[10]Queen's Commendation for
Brave Conduct		––Queen’s Commendation for
Valuable Service in the Air
From 1994[2]Queen's Commendation for
Bravery		Queen's Commendation for
Bravery in the Air		Queen's Commendation for
Valuable Service		–

References
  1. Military Honours and Awards, Ministry of Defence.
  2. "London Gazette: 12 August 1994 Issue:53760 Page:11527".
  3. "Honours and Awards in the Armed Forces (JSP 761) (V5.0 Oct 16). Appendix 1 to Annex A, page 1A1-2". MoD Joint Services Publication. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  4. "Medals: campaigns, descriptions and eligibility". gov.uk. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  5. "No. 56878". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 March 2003. p. 3355.
  6. John Mussell (ed). Medal Yearbook 2015. p. 108. Published by Token Publishing Ltd. Honiton, Devon.
  7. MOD, PS12 (January 2012). Army Dress Regulations (All Ranks) Part 13 (PDF). MOD. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  8. "Honours and Awards in the Armed Forces (JSP 761) (V5.0 Oct 16). Paras 12.02 and 12.19". MoD Joint Services Publication. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  9. "London Gazette: 24 July 1951 Supplement: 39294 Page:4035".
  10. "London Gazette: 14 January 1958 Supplement: 41285 Page:365".
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