Distinguished Service Order

for additional DSO award , with the DSO he received for "gallant and distinguished services in the combined attack on Dieppe" after his investiture at Buckingham Palace in October 1942 Instituted on 6 September 1886 by Queen Victoria by Royal Warrant published in The London Gazette on 9 November, the first DSOs awarded were dated 25 November 1886. The order was established to recognise individual instances of meritorious or distinguished service in war. It is a military order, and was, until recently, typically awarded to officers in command above the rank of major (or equivalent), with awards to lower ranks usually being for a high degree of gallantry, just short of deserving the Victoria Cross. Prior to 1943, the DSO could be awarded to only commissioned officers of the Lieutenant-Colonel rank and above, for 'meritorious or distinguished service in wartime' under conditions of actual combat. If awarded to an officer ranking below Lieutenant-Colonel, it had to be a case of 'a high degree of gallantry just short of deserving the Victoria Cross'. In either case, being 'Mentioned in Despatches' was a pre-condition for appointment to the Distinguished Service Order. The stipulation that only those mentioned in despatches could be appointed to the Order was removed in 1943. == Modern era ==

Since 1993, reflecting the review of the British honours system which recommended removing distinctions of rank in respect of operational awards, the DSO has been open to all ranks, with the award criteria redefined as "highly successful command and leadership during active operations". At the same time, the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross was introduced as the second-highest award for gallantry. Despite some fierce campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, the DSO has yet to be awarded to a non-commissioned rank. The DSO was previously awarded throughout the Commonwealth but by the 1990s most, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand, had established their own honours systems, no longer recommending British honours. == Nomenclature ==

Recipients of the Order, formally styled Companions of the Distinguished Service Order, are entitled to use as post-nominal letters. All awards are announced in The London Gazette. == Description ==

• The decoration signifying the award of the DSO is a silver-gilt (gold until 1889) cross with curved ends, wide, enamelled white and edged in gilt. ==Recipients==

Numbers awarded From 1918 to 2017, the Distinguished Service Order was awarded approximately 16,935 times, in addition to 1,910 bars. The figures to 1979 are laid out in the table below, the dates reflecting the relevant entries in the London Gazette: In addition, approximately 90 DSOs were awarded between 1980 and 2017, including awards for the Falklands, Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, in addition to three Bars. The above figures include awards to the Commonwealth. • In all, 1,220 DSOs were awarded to Canadians, plus 119 first bars and 20 second Bars. • From 1901 to 1972, when the last Australian to receive the DSO was announced, 1,018 awards were made to Australians, plus 70 first Bars and one second Bar. • The DSO was awarded to over 300 New Zealanders during the two World Wars. First World War army officer • William Robert Aufrere Dawson, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment during the First World War, wounded nine times and mentioned in despatches at least five times • Arnold Jackson, First World War British Army officer and 1500 metre Olympic gold medal winner in 1912 • Sir Douglas Kendrew, brigade commander in Italy, Greece and the Middle East between 1944 and 1946. Subsequently, appointed Governor of Western Australia • Robert Sinclair Knox, First World War British Army officer • Frederick William Lumsden, British First World War Royal Marines officer, also awarded the Victoria Cross • Paddy Mayne, Special Air Service commander in the Second World War and Irish rugby player • Sir Richard George Onslow, Second World War destroyer captain and later admiral • Alastair Pearson, a British Army officer appointed DSO four times within the space of two years during the Second World War • James Brian Tait, RAF pilot also awarded the DFC with Bar, completed 101 bombing missions in the Second World War • Frederic John Walker, Second World War Royal Navy captain and U-boat hunter • Edward Allan Wood, First World War army officer == See also ==