Soldiers in the 1914 - 1918 war were eligible for the following awards:
1. FOR GALLANTRY on the battlefield:
The Victoria Cross - for supreme acts of bravery regardless of rank
The Distinguished Conduct Medal or DCM - awarded to Warrant Officers, NCOs and Other Ranks.
The Military Cross or MC - awarded to officers below the rank of Captain and some Warrant Officers The Military Medal or MM - awarded to Warrant Officers, NCOs, Other Ranks and women)
2. FOR GALLANTRY and/or SERVICE:
The Distinguished Service Order or DSO awarded to officers above the rank of Major.
3. FOR SERVICE and/or GALLANTRY off the battlefield
The Meritorious Service Medal or MSM
4. MENTION IN DESPATCHES
No medal was awarded but a certificate was issued plus an oak leaf emblem which was worn on the ribbon of the Victory Medal.
Subsequent awards of the same medal are referred to as BARS because the recipient is issued with a small metal bar to wear on the ribbon of the original medal.
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