Cards

• by erik.schaubroeckscarlet.be

  What kind of cards are issued to men for continuous good work?

  Posted July 6, 2016 6:18 PM

• by ral104 moderator, scientist

  We had another discussion about this a year or so ago, I'm sure, but I can't track down the thread.

  This discussion sheds a little more light on the use of commendation cards: http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?/topic/206825-green-cards-of-commendation/

  However, I don't think they were just recommendations for medals, but could also be a commendation in their own right.

  Posted July 6, 2016 9:36 PM

• by cyngast moderator

  I've gotten the impression from the way they were described in some of the diaries I've tagged that some cards, at least, were the award. Some diaries have referred to them as gallantry cards, although in a divisional train it makes more sense that they might be awarded as recognition of doing a good job.

  Posted July 6, 2016 9:53 PM

• by erik.schaubroeckscarlet.be

  In the diary of the 10Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers: "Divisional cards are issued to NCO's and men for gallantry on 1st july 1916 and 7th june 1917." Image AWD0003g3e

  Posted August 6, 2016 5:50 PM

• by ral104 moderator, scientist

  Thanks, Erik - a good illustration of the use of gallantry cards.

  Posted August 7, 2016 10:59 AM

• by erik.schaubroeckscarlet.be

  Image AWD0003fzg Are those ribbons presented to the "soldiers who have won distinctions" similar to the cards?

  Posted August 10, 2016 8:54 PM

• by ral104 moderator, scientist

  No, medal ribbons are miniature cloth versions of a medal which can be worn on a normal working uniform. The first link below is to a photo of a medal ribbon being award. The second shows Elsie Knocker and Mairi Chisholm (two famous nurses) wearing medal ribbons.

  http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205237968

  http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205348943

  Posted August 11, 2016 8:13 AM

• by David_Underdown moderator

  Also the ribbon would often be presented (usually by someone like the divisional commander) almost as soon as the award was announced in the London Gazette (that's the point at which you can where the ribbon and use the postnominal letters), but the formal presentation of the medal itself could take months, and might not happen until the person concerned had leave back in the UK and could go to Buckingham Palace or other appropriate place.

  The divisional cards were the level below the formal honours system.

  Posted August 11, 2016 3:45 PM