Distinguished Conduct Medal

Product Description: This Miniature Distinguished Conduct Medal is made from lead-free pewter. It is supplied with approximately 9cm of ribbon. The medal is mounted on a fold-over information card that is full colour with an image of an explosion along German trenches on the front and has historical information about the medal on the reverse.

Information: Instituted in 1854.

The need for a gallantry medal for other ranks (not officers) was first recognised during the Crimean War. The medals have always been issued named, and carry the number, rank and name of the recipient on the rim, together with the date of the act of gallantry, from 1881 until about 1901. Bars were given for subsequent awards and these too were dated from the first issued in 1881 until 1916 when the more usual laurelled bars were adopted. Since 1916 it has ranked as a superior decoration to the Military Medal and, as a result, has been replaced by the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.

Description: (Obverse) originally a trophy of arms but since 1902 the effigy of the reigning sovereign; (Reverse) a four line inscription across the field FOR DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT IN THE FIELD.

The cover image shows huge explosions seen across the German trenches as troops from the British Second Army wait to advance, June 1917.