Lt.
Harry Bowen DAVIES
British War Medal
The British War Medal 1914-1920, authorized in 1919, was awarded to eligible service
personnel and civilians alike. Qualification for the award varied slightly according to
service. The basic requirement for army personnel and civilians was that they either
entered a theatre of war, or rendered approved service overseas between 5 August
1914 and 11 November 1918. Service in Russia in 1919 and 1920 also qualified for
the award.
Victory Medal
The Victory Medal 1914-1919 was also authorized in 1919 and was awarded to all
eligible personnel who served on the establishment of a unit in an operational theatre.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/medals.asp
The British (Imperial) Distinguished Flying Cross
This silver cross is awarded to officers and Warrant Officers for an act or
acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty performed whilst flying in active
operations against the enemy. A straight silver bar with an eagle in the
centre is awarded for a further act or acts. The year of the award is
engraved on the reverse. The award was established on the birthday of
King George V, June 3, 1918. Until 1919, the stripes were horizontal.
Established for officers and warrant officers of the RAF in respect of acts of
valour while flying in active operations against the enemy.
Bars
A straight silver bar is awarded for a further act or acts of valour, courage
or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy. The
slip-on bar has an eagle in the centre.
Description
A cross flory, 2.125 inches wide, with bars terminated with a rose.
Obverse
A cross flory terminating with a rose, surmounted by another cross made of propeller blades charged in
the centre with a roundel within a laurel wreath. The horizontal arms bear wings and the crowned RAF
monogram at the centre.
Reverse
In the central circle the Royal Cypher (GV, GVI, EIIR) appears above the date 1918. The year of issue is
engraved on the lower arm.
Mounting
The straight bar has two sprigs of laurel at the bottom which form a slot for a king ring to attach it to the
small ring at the top of the medal.
Ribbon
The ribbon is 1.25 inches wide, and consists of alternating deep purple and white stripes (0.125 wide)
leaning to the left at 45 degrees from the vertical. The deep purple colour is to appear in the bottom left
and upper right corners when viewed on the wearer's chest. Until 1919, the stripes were horizontal.
Dates
The award was established on 03 June 1918, the birthday of King George V.
Metal
Silver
Dimensions
Height 60mm; Max Width 54mm
Source: http://www.vvaa.org.au/med-dfc.htm
The Distinguished Flying Cross medal - or DFC - was instigated by the British on 3 June
1918 as a means of recognising acts of courage and devotion to duty among officers
and warrant officers in the British Royal Air Force (RAF).
For subsequent acts of merit a straight silver Bar was added to the DFC. Among the
recipients - which included airmen of Commonwealth and other nations - were Andrew
Beauchamp-Proctor (who achieved 54 aerial victories), the Canadian William Claxton
and the Australian Arthur Cobby.
1,079 DFCs were issued during and immediately after the First World War, plus a
further 9 Bars to previously awarded DFCs. By comparison 4,018 were issued during
the Second World War, plus 214 first and 5 second bars. The year of the award of the
medal (1918) is inscribed on the reverse of the silver medal.
Source: http://www.firstworldwar.com/atoz/dfc.htm
