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The George Cross

The George Cross

Overview

Before New Zealand introduced its Gallantry and Bravery awards in 1999, the George Cross (GC) was the highest gallantry award available to civilians, ranking just below the Victoria Cross. It was also given to military personnel for exceptional courage when not in combat.

The George Cross was established in 1940, replacing the Empire Gallantry Medal, and in 1971, it also replaced the Albert and Edward Medals. Recipients of these older medals could exchange them for the George Cross if they chose to.

The Island of Malta received a George Cross for the continuous bravery of its citizens during World War II. 

In 1999, New Zealand replaced the George Cross with the New Zealand Cross.

Description

 The George Cross is silver with a circular medallion in the centre showing St. George and the Dragon encircled with the words "FOR GALLANTRY".  The arms of the cross are joined by the Royal Cypher GVI. The reverse is engraved in the centre with the recipient's name and award date.  The cross is attached by a ring to a bar decorated with laurel leaves and is suspended on a dark blue ribbon.

Bars were awarded for subsequent gallant and brave acts.

Eligibility

The George Cross is awarded to civilians and military personnel for those acts of gallantry not in the presence of the enemy.

Recipients

Three New Zealanders have been posthumous recipients of the George Cross: Sergeant Stewart Graeme Guthrie (New Zealand Police); Sergeant Ken Hudson (New Zealand Army); and Lance Corporal David Russell (New Zealand Army).

Queries & requests

  • Wearing this award

    The George Cross is worn as a special award in the New Zealand Order of Wear.  It is always worn after the New Zealand Cross.

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

  • Checking eligibility and applying for this award

    The George Cross is no longer awarded in New Zealand since the introduction of New Zealand's own system of Gallantry and Bravery 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.  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