Awards and Recognition: United Kingdom

Established in June 1917 by King George V during the First World War, the CBE honours civilians and servicemen in support roles for their non-combatant contributions to the war effort. The Order comprises five levels; the top two confer knighthood (since 1935, not available to Canadians retaining Canadian citizenship), while the lower three—Commander, Officer, and Member—are available to Canadians. In 1918, it was divided into civil and military divisions and notably included women. The Order can be awarded for gallantry as well as for service. In 1937, the insignia and ribbon colour were changed. A total of 481 CBEs have been awarded to Canadians: 200 civil and 281 military.

Established in June 1917 by King George V during the First World War, the OBE honours civilians and servicemen in support roles for their non-combatant contributions to the war effort. The Order comprises five levels; the lower three—Commander, Officer, and Member—were available to Canadians. In 1918, it was divided into civil and military divisions and notably included women. The Order could be awarded for gallantry as well as for service. In 1937, the insignia and ribbon colour were changed. A total of 1,671 OBEs have been awarded to Canadians: 599 civil and 1,072 military.

Established in June 1917 by King George V during the First World War, the MBE honours civilians and servicemen in support roles for their non-combatant contributions to the war effort. The Order comprises five levels; the top two confer knighthood (since 1935, not available to Canadians retaining Canadian citizenship), while the lower three—Commander, Officer, and Member—are available to Canadians. In 1918, it was divided into civil and military divisions and notably included women. The Order can be awarded for gallantry as well as for service. In 1937, the insignia and ribbon colour were changed. There have been 2,726 MBEs awarded to Canadians: 859 civil and 1,867 military.

Established by the British Government on 28 December 1915, the Military Cross is awarded to commissioned officers of the substantive rank of Captain or below—including acting and temporary Majors—and Warrant Officers for distinguished and meritorious services in battle. In 1920, eligibility expanded to include naval and air force officers for gallant and distinguished services on the ground. A total of 3,727 Military Crosses have been awarded to Canadians, along with 324 first bars and 18 second bars.

A British decoration instituted on 25 March 1916, the Military Medal is awarded to Warrant Officers, non-commissioned officers, and enlisted personnel for individual or associated acts of bravery, upon recommendation by a Commander-in-Chief in the field. A silver, laurelled bar denotes subsequent acts of bravery and devotion under fire. Canadians have received 13,654 Military Medals, plus 848 first bars and 38 second bars.

As a British award, the Distinguished Conduct Medal is bestowed upon Warrant Officers, non-commissioned officers, and enlisted personnel serving in any of the Sovereign's military forces for distinguished conduct in the field. It is the second highest award for gallantry in action after the Victoria Cross for all army ranks below commissioned officers. The DCM was also available to navy and air force personnel for distinguished conduct in the field.

Established by the British government in 1886, the Distinguished Service Order recognizes individual instances of meritorious or distinguished service in war. It is a military order awarded to officers, typically for service under fire or under conditions equivalent to combat. After 1 January 1917, it was awarded only to those serving under fire; prior to 1943, recipients had to be Mentioned-in-Dispatches. Generally awarded to officers above the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, it could be awarded to lower ranks for exceptional gallantry just short of the Victoria Cross. Canadians have received 1,220 DSOs, 119 first bars, and 20 second bars.

Established by Royal Warrant on 29 December 1922, the British Empire Medal replaced the Medal of the Order of the British Empire and has both military and civil divisions. Awarded for meritorious service deserving royal recognition, it was given in the military division to subordinate personnel such as non-commissioned officers and enlisted ranks. After the Empire Gallantry Medal was superseded by the George Cross in 1940, the BEM continued to be awarded for acts of gallantry of a lesser degree. Bars could be awarded for subsequent acts. A total of 1,368 BEMs were awarded to Canadians: 120 civil and 1,248 military.

A British award instituted in 1939 by King George VI as the King's Commendation for Brave Conduct, it recognized brave acts by civilians and military personnel in non-warlike circumstances during wartime or peacetime when the action would not otherwise be acknowledged by an existing award. Renamed in 1954 as the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct, the award was replaced in 1994 by the Queen's Commendation for Bravery. There is no entitlement to post-nominal letters.