DSO Awards

[Michael]

Stephanie - who will now have the title of:

The Silent One/La Silencieuse

8)

[Barrett]

In researching an article on significant decorations I've been unable to find figures for DSO awards in WW I and II. The VC rate seems to be ab out 3.5 to one in favor of the Great War--just wonder if that applies to the DSO as well.

Barrett,
The 9th edition of "The Medals Yearbook: A-Z of Medals" edited by J.G. Brant,(Cobra Publishing, London 1988, gives the following numbers:
For WWI : approximately 9900 DSOs, 770 first bars, 75 second bars, 7 third bars

For WWII: approx. 4900 DSOs, 500 first bars, 59 second bars, 8 third bars

Hope this is of use to you.

Regards
Liz Milne

South African War - 1,167

First World War - 9.860 plus 763 1st Bars, 76 2nd Bars and seven 3rd Bars.

Second World War - 4,880 plus 497 1st Bars, 59 2nd Bars, several 3rd Bars (not sure how many)

Korean War - 74 plus seven 1st Bars, three 2nd Bars and one 3rd Bar.

Also assorted awards in colonial wars (including between the world wars), anti-terrorism in Malaya, Falkland Islands, etc.

Not easy to make comparisons, one war to another, for although standards of awards may have varried, so too did level of combat intensity.

[Barrett]

Thanks so much, Liz & Hugh. Forumites are folks we can count on!

[Mac]

Hurley and Grant. Are they forumites too ?

Worth looking at is P.E. Abbott and J.M.A. Tamplin, BRITISH GALLANTRY AWARDS, of which the last edition was published some 20 years ago and hence has statistics only to 1976. It is nevertheless very detailed (for example it mentions that 15 DSOs were awarded in 1920 for the Afgan War of 1919). Of the Seond World War awards, 870 went to the RAF (plus 62 Bars, eight 2nd Bars, two 3rd Bars), one went to Royal Indian Air Force (plus two Bars), 69 to RAAF (three Bars), 69 to RCAF (four Bars, one 2nd Bar), 44 to RNZAF (three Bars), 34 to SAAF and 38 Honorary awards to foreign nationals.

As the book goes into similar detail with respect to other awards, it is worth consulting if you can find a library that has a copy.

[Barrett]

Mac: Now THAT is how rumors get started!
It's nice to contemplate, but I'm already convinced that OUR Liz and Hugh are far more interesting...

[patrickmallahan]

Hugh:

Claud Ridley made a forced landing near Cambrai while flying a "special" mission. His passenger (read agent) was one "V.M." who was responsible for the success of the evasion at the beginning and a Belgian, "Landers" provided help after Ridley and "V.M." became separated. The evasion was protracted, lasting from 3.8.16 to 8.10.16. I think there is a lengthy memoir at the PRO. If you're interested try Air 1/2395/257/1.

Regards,

Patrick