History of the George Cross
"When, in 1940, King George VI instituted the George Cross and George Medal the total nature of World War Two had brought war into all civilian life, and there were many acts of outstanding gallantry for which the terms of award of the existing non-military medals were deemed to be inappropriate. Initially only the George Cross could be issued posthumously, but following a new warrant in 1978, the George Medal can be now be issued posthumously.
When the George Cross was introduced, it superseded the Empire Gallantry Medal (EGM) whose living recipients were required to exchange their EGM for the George Cross.
Following an amended warrant in December 1971, surviving recipients of the Albert Medal (AM) and Edward Medal (EM) exchanged their medal for the George Cross.
During World War Two (1939-45) there were instances when it was not easy to decide whether a Victoria Cross or a George Cross was the more proper award. The George Cross was intended to be an award for outstanding civilian bravery, but as many people in the armed forces were unavoidably engaged in work not appropriate for strictly military awards, they became eligible for the George Cross equally with civilians. Consequently, 76 of the first 100 awards were made to members of the armed forces. A complete tally of the 152 direct awards of the George Cross up to 1985 shows that only 49 have gone to civilians. Awards of the George Cross have now become so rare that few people are ever likely to see one, or its recipient.
The George Cross is of silver, with the words "For Gallantry" as described in the warrant, and is suspended from a dark blue ribbon one and half inches wide, and is worn on the left breast before all other medals and orders except the Victoria Cross. Ladies not in uniform wear the Cross, suspended from a wide bow of blue ribbon, below the left shoulder. Each Cross is made by the Royal Mint and engraved on the reverse with the recipient's name and date of the London Gazette in the case of direct awards and for the exchanged EGMs, and the date of the action for exchanged AMs and EMs."
Award of George Cross to Naik Kirpa Ram
G.C. London Gazette 15 March 1946. ‘The King has been graciously pleased to approve the posthumous award of the George Cross, in recognition of most conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner, to:- No. 15634 Naik Kirpa Ram, 8th Battalion, 13th Frontier Force Rifles, Indian Army.’
The War Office recommendation
"At Thondebhavi on 12th November 1945, Naik Kirpa Ram was commanding a section on a field-firing exercise. He was lying close to a Sepoy who was firing grenades from a discharger-cup, the remainder of his section being in position beside him. The third grenade to be fired fell short and landed only about 8 yards in front of the section position. Naik Kirpa Ram saw at a glance that if it exploded there many of his section would be killed or wounded. Without a moment’s hesitation he leapt up and dashed forward shouting as he did so to the men of his section, “Get back and take cover”. He picked up the grenade, but before he could throw it into a place where it could cause no damage, it exploded. The main force of the explosion was taken by his body, and he died of wounds shortly afterwards. As a result of his act only two men of his section were slightly wounded. Naik Kirpa Ram knowing full well the possible consequences, risked his life in order to save those of the men under his command. His fine spirit of sacrifice and devotion to duty will ever be remembered in his regiment and will be a constant source of inspiration to all ranks."
Background of Naik Kirpa Ram by Ashok Nath (original research which was given to DNW medal auctions 02 Dec 2009).
"Naik Kirpa Ram was born in 1918 in the village of Bharpal in the Bilaspur district of Punjab Hills, now known as Himachal Pradesh. He came from the Dogra Rajput clan, an ancient Aryan race that inhabit the Northern Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Dogras have a long tradition of military service and in the early days of the British Empire they wore beards, as a result of which they were erroneously known as ‘Hill Sikhs’. The first all Dogra regiment to be formed in the British Indian Army was in 1846 as part of the Frontier Brigade (The Punjab Frontier Force). Kirpa Ram hailed from a military family, his father Mussadi Ram having served with the 57th Wilde’s Rifles (Frontier Force) in France during the Great War. Kirpa Ram enlisted in the 13th Frontier Force Rifles on 9 January 1935, at the age of seventeen. After his initial training with 10th (Training Battalion) 13th Frontier Force Rifles, he was transferred to the 6th Royal Battalion (Scinde) 13th Frontier Force Rifles and saw field service from 2 June to 15 December, 1937, in Waziristan against the Fakir of Ipi. On raising of the 8th Battalion 13th Frontier Force Rifles in 1940, which was to comprise a company each of Dogras, Sikhs and Pathans, Kirpa Ram was transferred to the Dogra Company of the 8/13th F.F. Rifles. During the Second World War Kirpa Ram saw action against the Japanese with his battalion in the Eastern theatre. The 8th Battalion 13th Frontier Force Rifles had a splendid fighting record as is evident by their battle/theatre honours and awards: North Arakan, Kaladan, Mayu Tunnels, Maugdaw, Arakan Beaches, Ramree, Burma 1942-45. Kirpa Ram's wife Brahmi Devi was only 13 years old when she went to receive the posthumous award of her late husband (she had been betrothed to Kirpa Ram, as was custom in those days, at the tender age of eleven). The George Cross was received by Brahmi Devi on 1 January 1946, and presented by Field Marshal Lord Wavell, Viceroy of India, on behalf of King George VI. She was accompanied by Major R. W. Niven who was Commandant of the 8/13th Frontier Force Rifles at the time Naik Kirpa Ram’s brave sacrifice."
