Military Cross

The Military Cross is a medal awarded to members of the British Army, Royal Marines, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force in recognition of "exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy".

Crosses are commonly seen as military decorations, often in the form of the Maltese Cross. This page looks at one of these; the British Military Cross.

The distinctive shape is a George Cross with arms terminating in finials and decorated with crowns. The medal was introduced in 1914 during the reign of George V. The cypher (monogram) in the centre and the crowns on each arm represent the British monarch. ER: Elizabeth Regina (Queen Elizabeth), GR: George Rex (King George), etc.

King Charles III currently oversees the third Charlesian period and his cypher is CR (Charles Rex, where 'Rex' is Latin for 'King'.)

Although it can be awarded to sailors and airmen it is restricted to action that took place on land.

For other crosses with monograms, see Titulus Crosses.

For other crosses with crowns, see Claddagh Cross and Crown Cross.