The following Brews from the British Commonwealth are recipients of conduct medals which were earned between 1914 and 1960, but chiefly during World Wars I and II. The information has been compiled using several different sources, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the London Gazette and the Public Record Office in Kew, London, England.
The below data is list in alphabetical order of a medal's name, as opposed to its date or superiority. If anyone has information which should be added to these details, I would appreciate hearing from you.
| Medal | AFM |
|
| Medal Full Name | Air Force Medal | |
| Name and Number | Dennis Albert Brew, No. 3032772 | |
| Rank | Flight Sergeant | |
| Battalion or Unit | Royal Air Force | |
| Date | 12 June 1958 | |
| Reason / Citation | Not given | |
| Further Information |
The AFM was instituted in June 1918 and was awarded to NCOs and men for courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy. All AFMs are named with large capitals during World War I or engraved during World War II. Approximately 120 AFMs and two bars were issued during World War I, whilst 259 AFMs were issued during World War II. The vast majority of AFMs are listed in the London Gazette with no citation. (Source) |
|
| Medal | ARRC |
|
| Medal Full Name | Associate of the Royal Red Cross Medal (or Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class) | |
| Name and Number | Miss H. A. Brew | |
| Rank | Sister | |
| Battalion or Unit | Nursing Staff of Military and War Hospitals | |
| Date | 3 June 1916 | |
| Reason / Citation |
Awarded the decoration of the Royal Red Cross, in recognition of valuable services in connection with the War |
|
| Further Information |
This is the first example of an English Military Order of Distinction that was originally designed purely for women. Queen Victoria was so impressed by the accomplishments of Florence Nightingale and her ladies that on St Georges Day 1883, she instituted a Decoration called the Royal Red Cross. (Source) Awarded to members of the officially recognised nursing services without restriction to rank who have 'shown exceptional devotion or competency in performance of nursing duties with the Army in the field, or in Naval and Military or Air Force hospitals or in an Auxiliary War hospital over a continuous or long period or who has performed some exceptional act of bravery or devotion to the post of duty'. Awarded in two levels-First Class with post-nominal RRC and for a lesser degree of service in a Second Class (aka the Associate) with post-nominal ARRC. The ribbon for both classes is of dark blue edged with crimson. (Source) The Associate Royal Red Cross medal was added during WWI, so holderscould receive advancement to the RRC with further recognition. The ARRC is silver and does not have the inscription in the enamel. (Source) |
|
| Medal | DCM |
|
| Medal Full Name | Distinguished Conduct Medal | |
| Name and Number | Thomas Brew, No. 714 | |
| Rank | Sergeant (Later 2nd Lieutenant) | |
| Battalion or Unit | 2nd Battalion Australian Infantry AIF | |
| Date | 15 June 1917 | |
| Reason / Citation | For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He assumed command of and gallantly led his company forward in the face of heavy fire. He set a splendid example of courage and initiative. | |
| Further Information | The DCM was instituted in 1854 to recognise "distinguished, gallant and good conduct" by troops in the Crimea. All DCMs are issued named to the recipient, usually with impressed details around the medal's rim. Nearly 25,000 DCMs were issued during World War I, the majority of which have citations in the London Gazette. Contrary to what may be implied by the term "Distinguished Conduct" it should be remembered that this medal was, for NCOs and other ranks, second only to the Victoria Cross. (Source) | |
| Medal | DFC |
|
| Medal Full Name | Distinguished Flying Cross | |
| Name and Number | James Robert Brew, No. 121269 | |
| Rank | Flight Lieutenant | |
| Battalion or Unit | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 541 Squadron | |
| Date | 9 July 1943 | |
| Reason / Citation | Not given | |
| Further Information | The DFC was instituted in 1918 as an award to officers and warrant officers who displayed courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations. During World War II, approximately 20,000 DFCs were awarded (the most of any award), with approximately 1,500 first bars and 42 second bars. Second World War DFCs have the year of issue engraved on the reverse of the bottom section of the cross. Citations are generally available in the London Gazette for the Second World War DFCs. Some of the First World War DFCs also have citations. (Source) | |
| Medal | MC |
|
| Medal Full Name | Military Cross | |
| Name and Number | Henry Richard Cecil Brew | |
| Rank | 2nd Lieutenant | |
| Battalion or Unit | Royal Field Artillery, Special Reserve, attached to D/124th Brigade | |
| Date | 31 January 1919 | |
| Reason / Citation | For conspicuous gallantry as forward observation officer on 21st August, 1918. | |
| He was liaison officer with a battalion of the division which, attacked the Achiet-le-Grand position: He advanced with the infantry, exposed himself freely under very heavy fire, and was the first to send back the exact position of the infantry to the guns covering them. On the evening of the 23rd he again went forward through a fire-swept zone and ascertained the position of the infantry. The information which he obtained enabled the guns to eventually support the infantry. Throughout his courage and devotion to duty were most marked. | ||
| Further Information | The MC was instituted in December 1914 as a reward for gallantry for officers of the rank of Captain or below, and for Warrant Officers. Officers over the rank of Captain (Major and above) were eligible for the DSO. In World War I there were 37,000 MCs awarded, with 3000 first bars, 170 second bars and 4 third bars. All awards of the MC are listed in the London Gazette. Citations exist for the First World War awards. (Source) | |
| Medal | MSM |
|
| Medal Full Name | Meritorious Service Medal | |
| Name and Number | J. Brew, No. 18710 | |
| Rank | Lance Corporal | |
| Battalion or Unit | Machine Gun Corps, 36 Ulster Division | |
| Date | 28 December 1917 | |
| Reason / Citation | Not given | |
| Further Information | The Army MSM was introduced on 19 December 1845. The silver, 36 millimetre diameter medal has the profile of the sovereign on the obverse and the reverse side has a crown and wreath around the words "For Meritorious Service". The recipient's details are shown on the medal's rim. The medal was introduced, with an annual annuity, to recognise meritorious service by Sergeants and other senior NCOs. During the period 1916-19 Army NCOs could be awarded this medal immediately if they had performed especially meritorious service in difficult circumstances. The ribbon remained unchanged from the meritorious-type of MSM award, but the recipient's service number is shown together with his other details. For the meritorious-type of MSM, the service number is not shown with the recipient's other details. In 1916, the MSM was awarded to all ranks if recommended for gallant conduct in the performance of military duty otherwise than in action against the enemy, or in saving, or attempting to save the life of an officer or soldier, or for devotion to duty in a theatre of war. (Source) | |
| Medal | MSM |
|
| Medal Full Name | Meritorious Service Medal | |
| Name and Number | Robert Ernest Brew, No. 31 | |
| Rank | Company Quarter Master Sergeant (later Lieutenant) | |
| Battalion or Unit | 56th Australian Infantry Battalion | |
| Date | 3 June 1919 | |
| Reason / Citation | Not given | |
| Further Information | The Army MSM was introduced on 19 December 1845. The silver, 36 millimetre diameter medal has the profile of the sovereign on the obverse and the reverse side has a crown and wreath around the words "For Meritorious Service". The recipient's details are shown on the medal's rim. The medal was introduced, with an annual annuity, to recognise meritorious service by Sergeants and other senior NCOs. During the period 1916-19 Army NCOs could be awarded this medal immediately if they had performed especially meritorious service in difficult circumstances. The ribbon remained unchanged from the meritorious-type of MSM award, but the recipient's service number is shown together with his other details. For the meritorious-type of MSM, the service number is not shown with the recipient's other details. In 1916, the MSM was awarded to all ranks if recommended for gallant conduct in the performance of military duty otherwise than in action against the enemy, or in saving, or attempting to save the life of an officer or soldier, or for devotion to duty in a theatre of war. (Source) | |
