Catalogue description War Office: Gallantry Medal and Award Rolls, Military Medal

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Details of WO 326
Reference: WO 326
Title: War Office: Gallantry Medal and Award Rolls, Military Medal
Description:

This series contains a register for the award of the Military Medal during the Second World War. It records name, rank, service number and unit of each recipient with the date the award was announced in the London Gazette. The register was compiled by the Army Medal Office.
Date: 1930-1993
Arrangement:

Each entry appears under the initial letter of the surname but the order is not strictly alphabetical but is determined by the London Gazette date.
Related material:

For the index to this series see WO 372

For citations for Military Medals awarded between 1939 and 1966 see WO 373
Separated material:

A register recording later awards is held at the Army Medal Office, Droitwich.
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Language: English
Creator:

War Office, 1857-1964
Physical description: 2 volume(s)
Access conditions: Open
Immediate source of acquisition:

From 1998 Ministry of Defence
Administrative / biographical background:

The award of the Military Medal to certain non-commissioned officers and other ranks of the British Army dates back to 1916. The medal was also awarded to members of colonial and dominion forces, to certain Royal Air Force personnel, to petty officers and ratings of the Royal Navy and to Allied servicemen of equivalent ranks.

From 1950 the award of all medals was administered by the Army Medal Office at Droitwich Spa. Up until then individual Manning and Record Offices issued medals to those still serving but issues to men and women no longer serving became the responsibility of the Army Medal Office.

In 1993 the changes to the system of armed forces operational awards meant that the Military Medal was subsumed by the Military Cross, which thereafter was awarded to all ranks.

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