Honours and awards

Awarded for conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy. Recipient may be of any rank. (The Canadian version, which displays the Latin motto Pro Valore in the place of For Valour, is shown.)

A British order presented for service of the highest calibre. Recipients may be invested as knight/dame grand cross (GCB), knight /dame commander (KCB/DCB) or companion (CB). Canadians are eligible only for the companion level. (Companion insignia shown.)

Awarded for gallantry. Recipient may be invested as knight /dame grand cross (GBE), knight/dame commander (K/DBE), commander (CBE), officer (OBE) or member (MBE). (Officer insignia shown.)

Awarded for a lifetime of achievement. Recipient may be invested as a companion (CC), officer (OC), or member (CM). (Officer insignia shown.)

Awarded to military officers only, rewarding individual instances of meritorious or distinguished service in war. The DSO is normally given for service under fire or under conditions equivalent to service in actual combat with the enemy.

Awarded to officers and warrant officers for an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty performed while flying in active operations against the enemy. The slip-on bar has an eagle in the centre with the year of the award engraved on the reverse.

Awarded to non-commissioned members for an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty performed while flying in active operations against the enemy.

Awarded to officers and warrant officers for an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty while flying but not in active operations against an enemy.

Awarded to non-commissioned officers and men for an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty performed while flying but not in active operations against the enemy.

Awarded to officers and non-commissioned members with 12 years of untarnished military service. Bars are awarded for every 10 additional years of service.