Order of Industrial Heroism
Encyclopedia
The Order of Industrial Heroism was a private civil award given in the United Kingdom by the Daily Herald newspaper to honour examples of heroism carried out by ordinary workers. Many of the 440 awards were posthumous.
The medal of the Order was designed by sculptor Eric Gill
and issued in bronze with a burgundy ribbon. The medal bears the image of St Christopher bearing the Christ Child.
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The institution of the medal was prompted by an incident in which four dockworkers helped control a major fire in the Liverpool docks, thereby saving the docks, shipping and a large part of the city, but were offered a reward of only £17, provoking a public outrage.
The Daily Herald was the official organ of the Trade Union Congress and one of the world's best-selling newspapers at the time.
The award was presented up to 1964, when the newspaper closed.
The medal of the Order was designed by sculptor Eric Gill
Eric Gill
Arthur Eric Rowton Gill was a British sculptor, typeface designer, stonecutter and printmaker, who was associated with the Arts and Crafts movement...
and issued in bronze with a burgundy ribbon. The medal bears the image of St Christopher bearing the Christ Child.
History
The Order was instituted in 1923 by the Daily Herald specifically to recognise the deeds of valour of those who had saved their fellow workers from danger or death. It was popularly known as the "Workers' VCVictoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
".
The institution of the medal was prompted by an incident in which four dockworkers helped control a major fire in the Liverpool docks, thereby saving the docks, shipping and a large part of the city, but were offered a reward of only £17, provoking a public outrage.
The Daily Herald was the official organ of the Trade Union Congress and one of the world's best-selling newspapers at the time.
The award was presented up to 1964, when the newspaper closed.
See also
- British and Commonwealth orders and decorations
- George CrossGeorge CrossThe George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
- George MedalGeorge MedalThe George Medal is the second level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.The GM was instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI. At this time, during the height of The Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage...
- Queen's Commendation for Brave ConductQueen's Commendation for Brave ConductInstituted in 1939 by King George VI as the King's Commendation for Brave Conduct, the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct acknowledged brave acts by civilians and members of the military in non-warlike circumstances during a time of war or in peacetime where the action would not otherwise be...
- Queen's Gallantry MedalQueen's Gallantry MedalThe Queen's Gallantry Medal is the third level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.It was instituted on 20 June 1974 to replace the Order of the British Empire for Gallantry, the British Empire Medal for Gallantry, and the Colonial Police Medal for Gallantry...
Further reading
- W. H. Fevyer, J. W. Wilson and J. E. Cribb (2000). The Order of Industrial Heroism. The Orders & Medals Research Society. ISBN 9780953920709