RECIPIENTS OF GALLANTRY AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
The following lists document footballers, both professional and amateur, from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales who were awarded gallantry decorations and military honours for their service during the First World War. They include commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers and other ranks who received recognition for acts of bravery and gallantry, distinguished service or meritorious conduct while serving in the British and Imperial forces. The awards cover a range of circumstances, from exceptional acts of courage in the face of the enemy to service and devotion to duty recognised by military commanders.
This is not an exhaustive record, but an ongoing research project. Identifying recipients presents challenges, particularly where wartime records are incomplete, names are recorded differently or an individual's footballing background is not immediately apparent. Further research into contemporary newspapers, military records, award citations and other historical sources continues to identify additional recipients. The lists will be updated as new information emerges, with the aim of building an increasingly comprehensive record of footballers who received gallantry awards and decorations during the First World War.
If you believe any of the information currently listed within the database is incorrect, or can provide details of recipients not listed, please get in touch and I will update the records accordingly.
Victoria Cross (VC)
The highest military decoration awarded for exceptional bravery and devotion to duty in the face of the enemy. During the First World War, it was open to all ranks of the British and Imperial forces, including personnel serving with the armed forces of the Dominions, India and the colonies. Up to two bars could be awarded in recognition of further acts of gallantry.
| Surname | Initials | Rank | Regiment/Corps/Service | London Gazette Supplement | Publication Date | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angus | W.M. | LCpl. | Highland Light Infantry | No. 29210 | 29/06/1915 | View |
| Bell | D.S. | 2nd Lt. | Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment) | No. 29740 | 09/09/1916 | View |
| Vann | B.W. | Lt. Col. | Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment) | No. 31067 | 14/12/1918 | View |
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Awarded to commissioned officers of the British and Imperial forces for meritorious or distinguished service during wartime, generally in the presence of the enemy. During the First World War, it was usually awarded to officers above the rank of captain, although exceptions were made. Until 1943, recipients were required to have been mentioned in despatches by the commander-in-chief of the Army or admiral of the Navy.
Between 1914 and 1916, the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) could also be awarded to staff officers serving away from the front line. From 1917, it was again restricted to service in the presence of the enemy. A warrant dated 23 August 1916 introduced the Bar to recognise subsequent acts of distinguished service.
| Surname | Initials | Rank | Regiment/Corps/Service | London Gazette Supplement | Publication Date | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bailey | W.G. | Capt. | Norfolk Regiment | No. 31583 | 03/10/1919 | View |
| Haig-Brown | A.R. | Lt. Col | Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) | No. 30111 | 01/06/1917 | View |
| Moir | H.L. | Lt. Col | Cheshire Regiment | No. 30997 | 05/11/1918 | View |
| Moir (Bar) | H.L. | Lt. Col | Cheshire Regiment | No. 13379 | 01/01/1919 | View |
| Wightman | J. | Maj. | East Surrey Regiment | No. 30716 | 03/06/1918 | View |
| Morgan-Owen | M.M. | Maj. | Essex Regiment | No. 13305 | 19/08/1918 | View |
Military Cross (MC)
Awarded to commissioned officers up to the rank of captain, and warrant officers of the British and Imperial forces, for acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land. Non-commissioned officers and other ranks were eligible for the Military Medal instead.
| Surname | Initials | Rank | Regiment/Corps/Service | London Gazette Supplement | Publication Date | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bailey | W.G. | 2nd Lt. | Norfolk Regiment | No. 30813, | 23/07/1918 | View |
| Bailey (Bar) | W.G. | 2nd Lt. | Norfolk Regiment | No. 31043 | 29/11/1918 | View |
| Bailey (2nd Bar) | W.G. | 2nd Lt. | Norfolk Regiment | No. 31480 | 30/07/1919 | View |
| Barnsfather | P. | Capt. | Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) | No. 30450 | 01/01/1918 | View |
| Bell | E.I.B. | Capt. | Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) | No. 29793 | 20/10/1916 | View |
| Bell (Bar) | E.I.B. | Capt. | Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) | No. 30801 | 18/07/1918 | View |
| Coulter | W.M. | 2nd Lt. | Highland Light Infantry | No. 30001 | 26/03/1917 | View |
| Crabtree | J.J. | 2nd Lt. | Loyal North Lancashire Regiment | No. 30466 | 08/01/1918 | View |
| Dalton | J.E. | 2nd Lt. | Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) | No. 30514 | 07/02/1918 | View |
| Desbrow | P.D. | Capt. | Royal Garrison Artillery | No. 31370 | 03/06/1919 | View |
| Murray | H. | Lt. | Gordon Highlanders | No. 30813 | 23/07/1918 | View |
| Paterson | J.A. | Capt. | Royal Army Medical Corps | No. 30466 | 08/01/1918 | View |
| Rowlandson | T.S. | Capt. | Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment) | No. 29438 | 11/01/1916 | View |
| Simpson | V.S. | Capt. | York and Lancaster Regiment | No. 13143 | 19/09/1917 | View |
| Thurgar | R.W. | Lt. | Norfolk Regiment | No. 30234 | 14/08/1917 | View |
| Vann | B.W. | Lt. Col. | Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment) | No. 29296 | 14/09/1915 | View |
| Vann (Bar) | B.W. | Lt. Col. | Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment) | No. 29824 | 14/11/1916 | View |
| Wightman | J. | Lt. | East Surrey Regiment | No. 29837 | 24/11/1916 | View |
| Windmill | J.W. | RSM | Royal Warwickshire Regiment | No. 31092 | 01/01/1919 | View |
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
Awarded to non-commissioned officers and other ranks of the British and Imperial forces for acts of gallantry in the face of the enemy on land. It was the second-highest award for gallantry available to other ranks, after the Victoria Cross.
| Surname | Initials | Rank | Regiment/Corps/Service | London Gazette Supplement | Publication Date | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condrey | J.F. | LCpl | Royal Welsh Fusiliers | No. 29275 | 05/08/1915 | View |
| Jackson | S. | CSM | South Staffordshire Regiment | No. 13143 | 19/09/1919 | View |
| Kennedy | G.W. | CSM | Canadian Infantry | No. 29940 | 13/02/1917 | View |
| Sandoe | H.L. | CSM | Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) | No. 30495 | 25/01/1918 | View |
| Sandoe (Bar) | H.L. | CSM | Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) | No. 13533 | 04/12/1919 | View |
| Sharpley | W.A. | Sgt. | Essex Regiment | No. 29528 | 28/03/1916 | View |
| Voisey | W. | Sgt. | Royal Field Artillery | No. 13495 | 05/09/1919 | View |
| Windmill | J.W. | RSM | Royal Warwickshire Regiment | No. 30636 | 17/04/1918 | View |
Military Medal (MM)
Awarded to members of the British and Imperial forces below commissioned rank, including personnel serving with Dominion, Indian and Colonial forces, for acts of exceptional bravery in the face of the enemy.
| Surname | Initials | Rank | Regiment/Corps/Service | London Gazette Supplement | Publication Date | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baker | W.J. | Sgt | Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) | No. 29701 | 08/08/1916 | View |
| Buchan | C.M. | LSgt. | Grenadier Guards | No. 30424 | 12/12/1917 | View |
| Crawford | A. | Dvr. | Royal Engineers | No. 30743 | 11/06/1918 | View |
| Crick | G.W. | Cpl. | Machine Gun Corps | No. 31007 | 12/11/1918 | View |
| Crowther | G.L. | Pte. | Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment | No. 29701 | 08/08/1916 | View |
| Davis | S.G. | LSgt. | Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment | No. 30401 | 23/11/1917 | View |
| Doran | J.F. | Cpl. | Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) | No. 29794 | 21/10/1916 | View |
| Esther | J.E. | Sgt. | Royal Field Artillery | No. 13128 | 20/08/1917 | View |
| Glen | D. | Sgt. | Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) | No. 30135 | 15/06/1916 | View |
| Greer | T. | Cpl. | Machine Gun Corps | No. 30424 | 12/12/1917 | View |
| Hardisty | J. | Cpl. | Border Regiment | No. 29819 | 10/11/1916 | View |
| Higgins | A. | Cpl. | Durham Light Infantry | No. 31405 | 13/06/1919 | View |
| Houston | J. | Sgt. | Royal Irish Rifles | No. 30389 | 16/11/1917 | View |
| Jackson | S. | CSM | South Staffordshire Regiment | No. 30095 | 25/05/1917 | View |
| Kennedy | G.W. | CSM | Canadian Infantry | No. 29805 | 27/10/1916 | View |
| Martin | B. | Pte. | Royal Naval Division | No. 29854 | 08/12/1916 | View |
| Martin (Bar) | B. | Pte. | Royal Naval Division | No. 30606 | 29/03/1918 | View |
| McFadden | R. | CSM | Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) | No. 29749 | 12/09/1916 | View |
| McLay | G. | Sgt. | Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) | No. 30364 | 30/10/1917 | View |
| Montgomery | J. | LCpl. | Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers | No. 31142 | 21/01/1919 | View |
| Riddell | N.G. | Sgt. | Northumberland Fusiliers | No. 30424 | 12/12/1917 | View |
| Roose | L.R. | LCpl | Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) | No. 29758 | 19/09/1916 | View |
| Sandoe | H.L. | CSM | Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) | No. 29794 | 24/10/1916 | View |
| Slimmon | D.G. | Spr. | Royal Engineers | No. 29719 | 22/08/1916 | View |
| Speedie | F.B. | Pte. | Princess Louise’s (Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders) | No. 30873 | 26/08/1918 | View |
| Speirs | J.H. | Cpl. | Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders | No. 30172 | 06/07/1917 | View |
| Voisey | W. | Sgt. | Royal Field Artillery | No. 31092 | 01/01/1919 | View |
| Wileman | A.H. | Sgt. | Royal Sussex Regiment | No. 30498 | 28/01/1918 | View |
Meritorious Service Medal (MSM)
Awarded to non-commissioned officers and other ranks of the British and Imperial forces for valuable and meritorious service or acts of gallantry not performed in the face of the enemy. During the First World War, it primarily recognised exceptional devotion to duty in support, supply, medical and administrative roles. From 1917, it also recognised acts of bravery away from direct combat, including rescuing wounded men under fire and saving supplies during bombardments.
| Surname | Initials | Rank | Regiment/Corps/Service | London Gazette Supplement | Publication Date | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell | G. | CQMS | Royal Engineers | View | ||
| Calvert | F.J. | SSgt | Royal Garrison Artillery | No. 29890 | 02/01/1917 | View |
| Firth | R.E. | Sgt. | Royal Field Artillery | No. 31370 | 30/05/1919 | View |
| Papworth | J.M. | CSM | Machine Gun Corps | No. 31370 | 30/05/1919 | View |
Mentioned in Despatches (MiD)
British commanders-in-chief of a theatre of war or campaign were obliged to report their activities and achievements to the War Office in the form of despatches, which were published in The London Gazette.
Many attached lists of men deemed worthy of a mention, though text explaining the precise reason why a particular individual was chosen is uncommon. Some were mentioned on multiple occasions.
To be mentioned in despatches can be a condition of receiving certain decorations. Though not a medal, for actions during the First World War, soldiers were entitled to receive a certificate and wear a decoration of a spray of oak leaves in bronze (instigated in an Army Order on 12 January 1920), which could be displayed on the Victory Medal.
| Surname | Initials | Rank | Regiment/Corps/Service | London Gazette Supplement | Publication Date | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bailey | W.G. | 2nd Lt. | Norfolk Regiment | No. 31446 | 08/07/1919 | View |
| Dargie | A. | Maj. | Royal Garrison Artillery | No. 31370 | 30/05/1919 | View |
| Edge | A.S. | Lt. | Royal Field Artillery | No. 30075 | 18/05/1917 | View |
| Haig-Brown | A.R> | Capt. | Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) | No. 30093 | 25/05/1917 | View |
| Kennedy | G.W. | CSM | Canadian Infantry | No. 29886 | 29/12/1916 | View |
| Methven | J. | Sgt. | Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment) | No. 29890 | 02/01/1917 | View |
| Proudfoot | P. | Lt. | Royal Scots Fusiliers | No. 30486 | 16/01/1918 | View |
| Rowlandson | T.S. | Capt. | Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment) | No. 29422 | 01/01/1916 | View |
| Sharpley | W.A. | Sgt. | Essex Regiment | No. 29001 | 08/12/1914 | View |
| Simpson | V.S. | Capt. | York and Lancaster Regiment | No. 30287 | 14/09/1917 | View |
| Smith | J. | CSM | Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) | No. 29890 | 02/01/1917 | View |
| Windmill | J. | CSM | Royal Warwickshire Regiment | No. 30450 | 28/12/1917 | View |
