Throughout the First World War, the many announcements of British and Commonwealth gallantry awards appeared in the various issues of The London Gazette. As part of our major monthly series covering the period of the Great War commemorations, we examine some of the actions involved and summarise all of the awards announced in January 1918.
With the publication of a list of ‘immediate awards’ in a supplement of The London Gazette of 1 January 1918, the start of 1918 saw the biggest single month’s increase in gallantry awards so far in the First World War.
The list of immediate awards was accompanied by this statement: ‘Under authority delegated by His Majesty the King to Commander’s-in-Chief and to Corps Commanders in the Field, the following immediate military rewards, additional to the rewards contained in this Gazette, have been conferred on Regimental Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men, during the period covered by this Gazette’. The awards were 701 Distinguished Service Orders; 7,377 Military Crosses; 3,865 Distinguished Conduct Medals and 22,395 Military Medals. No further details regarding names or circumstances were given – just the fact that a total of 34,453 awards not previously ga…
