The Gallantry Medallists' League
The DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medallists') League - the DCM was the Army "other ranks" award that ranked just below the VC - was founded in the early 1930s by Captain Bob Moyse MC DCM BEM with branches throughout the United Kingdom. The League’s President was always a distinguished soldier, eg Brigadier Sir Jackie Smythe VC MC MP, and it was he who in the early 1960s left the DCM League to start the VC and GC Association. The League and the Association have close links as a result. The League thrived until the mid 1980s, when the numbers of holders began to decline rapidly through mortality, and also later by the demise of the DCM, together with other equivalent naval (Conspicuous Gallantry Medal(CGM)) and air force (CGM(Flying)) awards, which were replaced by the egalitarian Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. Consequentially the DCM League was initially expanded to include holders of the CGM. It was soon apparent that even this enlarged group was not large enough to sustain the organisation, and so membership was opened to all level 2 gallantry award holders including the George Medal, and the League named The Gallantry Medallists’ League.
The GML:
- Embraces all holders of second level gallantry awards, both military and civilian, and their families, within the Commonwealth.
- Holders of the VC and GC are entitled to honorary membership of the League.
- There is also a class of membership, Friends of the League, open to holders of level three gallantry awards and their families who wish to assist the League in the furtherance of its aims.
- Holders of the following gallantry awards qualify for membership:
Level II |
Level III |
|---|---|
United Kingdom |
|
Distinguished Conduct Medal |
Distinguished Service Cross & Distinguished Service Medal |
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (RN) |
Military Cross & Military Medal |
George Medal |
Distinguished Flying Cross & Distinguished Flying Medal |
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) |
Air Force Cross & Air Force Medal |
Distinguished Service Order (when awarded for Gallantry) |
Queen's Gallantry Medal |
Conspicuous Gallantry Cross |
Sea Gallantry Medal |
CBE, OBE, MBE & BEM (when awarded for gallantry) |
|
Australia |
|
Star of Gallantry |
Medal for Gallantry |
Star of Courage |
Bravery Medal |
Canada |
|
Star of Military Valour |
Medal of Military Valour |
Star of Courage |
Medal of Bravery |
New Zealand |
|
New Zealand Gallantry Star |
New Zealand Gallantry Decoration |
New Zealand Bravery Star |
New Zealand Bravery Decoration |
Associate membership is available to families and close relatives of award holders.
The aims of the League are:
- To help those in need.
- To create, cherish and maintain the spirit of comradeship between League members of all classes.
- To organise social events for League members and provide assistance to those who wish to arrange meetings and reunions.
- To organise celebratory Parades and Musters for League members.
See also
- The Victoria Cross and George Cross Association