Snobbery?

[mike11111]

So why was he awarded the George Medal and not the George Cross? This kind of snobbery is enough to turn me into a raving leftie.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...th-yorkshire-12016747

[McMouse]

Cos he aint an ossifer.

[anotheoldgit]

The George Cross is a civilian award.

[mike11111]

I believe that that no longer applies. Incidentally, from its inception, there was only the Victoria Cross, never a Victoria Medal.

[craft1948]

Well he seems happy with it so what's the problem.

[anotheoldgit]

craft1948

It's called making a comment on a news story and then opening up for general debate.

[craft1948]

My apologies aog...........the fact that he's happy with it was my opinion.

[NOX]

I think craft was justsaying if he doesn't care then why should anyone else?

[anotheoldgit]

mike11111

George Cross

The highest gallantry award for civilians, the GC is also awarded to military personnel for those acts for which military honours would not normally granted, such as acts of gallantry not in presence of the enemy

/// Incidentally, from its inception, there was only the Victoria Cross, never a Victoria Medal.///

Don't quite know where you are coming from with this, I didn't think there was any discussion about a Victoria Medal.

[McMouse]

aog.......although GC and GM are principally civilian awards they are also awarded to members of the military for brave actions not in the presence of the enemy. Therefore GC for officers and GM for other ranks.

[anotheoldgit]

craft1948

That's alright, hope you didn't think I was being snappy, I didn't mean to be.

[Ankou]

"the gc was instituted on 24 september 1940 by king george vi

announcing the new award, the king said: "in order that they should be worthily and promptly recognised, i have decided to create, at once, a new mark of honour for men and women in all walks of civilian life. i propose to give my name to this new distinction, which will consist of the george cross, which will rank next to the victoria cross, and the george medal for wider distribution""

not sure what snobbery exists if they are all of equal rank?

[anotheoldgit]

McMouse

/// Therefore GC for officers and GM for other ranks ///

Do I suspect a little envy here, or perhaps a lot of 'anti-officers'..

I an sure there is nothing to stop a 'other rank' person, from being awarded the GC, if they fitted the criteria.

[eyethenkyew]

Who really gives a flying fanackapan whether it's the GM or GC? It's pathetic that the guy wasn't also given £1M on top for such sterling service to his country. I'm sure he'd have been far happier?

[jackthehat]

'The guy' was doing his job and protecting his mates.............the rest is incidental.

[rov1200]

What a brave soldier....something like 160 IEDs defused and he is going back for more. I suppose if he fails he will be awarded the VC posthumously.

[ll_billym]

A very good guy to be fair, all respect. I would not put my life on the line because my country ordered me to unless I absolutely had to, those guys are doing it and most people are back at home.

As for the award to be honest that bloke probably thinks more about what his platoon think about him than the award itself and there has to be a hierarchy in these things, if you give the highest award away willy nilly then it only serves to degrade the honour of it. Maybe he personally deserves it, that's not for me to say but remember that the more are given out then the less they are worth.

[anotheoldgit]

eyethenkyew
/// Who really gives a flying fanackapan whether it's the GM or GC? It's pathetic that the guy wasn't also given £1M on top for such sterling service to his country. ///

If only? Couldn't agree more, it makes such a change from the usual comments, "Nobody asked him to join, he is only doing what he is paid to do"

There are many sitting safely behind their desks in civvy street, who are paid to do a job, but very really do so.