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Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct Mention in Despatches & Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air,

Emblems and insignia

Overview

There are a number of small emblems and insignia that recipients wear either on a specified medal ribbon or directly on their uniform or coat. They are generally awarded for gallantry or distinguished service. The most common are the Mention in Despatches, which is a bronze oak leaf, the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct, a silver laurel leaf, and the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air, also a bronze oak leaf. The Queen's Commendations for Brave Conduct and for Valuable Service in the Air are also available to civilians who are awarded a lapel badge in lieu of the medal ribbon emblem.

In 1999, New Zealand replaced these British awards with distinctively New Zealand awards. The Mention in Despatches was replaced by the New Zealand Gallantry Medal. Acts of gallantry which prior to 1999 would have been recognised by the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct and the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air are now recognised by the New Zealand Gallantry Medal. The equivalent acts of bravery are now recognised by the New Zealand Bravery Medal.

Queries & requests

  • Related Publications
    • Chapter 1 of Mention in Dispatches 1991-2016, (PDF, 9.6 MB) published by the Canadian Armed Forces, details the history of Mention in Despatches in the British Honours System.
    • James Sutherland, Gallantry Awards to New Zealanders in World War Two, 1989 (pp.41-56 and 182) lists New Zealand military personnel awarded the Military Cross for service during the Second World War.
    • Wayne McDonald, Honours and Awards to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Great War 1914-1918, 3rd edition, 2013. (PDF, 5.1 MB)This book contains the citations for the gallantry awards to New Zealand military personnel for their First World War service. The information on, and citations for, each individual are listed alphabetically by surname. The book also provides the date, and page reference, that the award was notified in the London Gazette. 
      • (On 13 August 2019, Richard Stowers gave the New Zealand Defence Force permission to add to the NZDF Medals website the pdf of the 3rd edition. Richard stated: "After publishing three improved editions, I have decided on behalf of myself and Wayne McDonald (deceased) to donate the publication to the ‘nation’, hoping it will remain a source of information for generations to come. When using the publication, please be respectful of the years of research Wayne McDonald completed to make this valuable resource available. Please feel free to print sections or the full publication, or share the attached pdf with anyone you wish.")
    • Philip J. Beattie and Matthew J. Pomeroy, Gallant Acts and Noble Deeds: New Zealand Army Honours and Awards for the Second World War, published Auckland: Fair Dinkum Books, 2016. (434 pages).  This book contains the full recommendations for more than 1,500 awards, recommendations for more than 100 Mentions in Despatches, a full list of over 2,800 Mentions in Despatches with London Gazette references, and eye-witness statements for the majority of the Victoria Cross recommendations.

  • Wearing emblems and insignia

    In the New Zealand Order of Wear, Mention in Despatches awarded during the First World War is worn on the ribbon of the Victory Medal, or, if the Victory Medal was not granted, on the ribbon of the British War Medal.

    Mention in Despatches, 1939-1945 is worn on the ribbon of the War Medal 1939-45. If the War Medal has not been granted, the Emblem is worn directly on the coat, after any Medal ribbons. (If there are no medal ribbons, the Emblem is worn in the position in which a single ribbon would be worn.)

    Mention in Despatches, 1945-1996 is worn on the ribbon of the appropriate General Service or Campaign Medal. If such a medal has not been granted, the Emblem is worn directly on the coat after any medal ribbons. (If there are no medal ribbons, the Emblem is worn in the position in which a single ribbon would be worn.)

    Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct, 1952-1996 is worn directly on the coat after any medal ribbons. (If there are no medal ribbons, the Emblem is worn in the position in which a single ribbon would be worn.)

    The King’s Commendation or Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air is worn on the coat immediately below any medals or medal ribbons, or in civil airline uniform, on the panel of the left breast pocket. (If there are no medal ribbons, the Emblem is worn in the position in which a single ribbon would be worn.)

    For more information on the wear and care of honours, medals, and awards:

  • Checking eligibility and applying for emblems and insignia

    Emblems and insignia are no longer awarded in New Zealand since the introduction of distinctive New Zealand awards in 1999.

  • Checking if this award was issued

    Honours, medals, and awards bestowed on an individual for service in the New Zealand Armed Forces are recorded in their individual service record. 

    Archives New Zealand.(external link)(external link) holds a collection of service records for individuals who served during the First World War.

    NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals holds a collection of about 1.5 million service records relating to 420,000 New Zealand service personnel who served in New Zealand’s Military Forces after the First World War.

    Service records are not currently digitised, but we can locate it and find the information you might be looking for, or help you book a time for you to see the records in Trentham by completing the form on the Service Record page. 

    Request a service record