MEDAL FOR OUTSTANDING
ACTS
(Metallion Exerton Praxeon)
Instituted
on 11 November 1940 after the outbreak of hostilities with Italy it is a
renewal of the Medal of Military Merit. It used the existing stock of the
Medal but with the addition of a bronze-gilt bar with the date 1940 to its
riband and was awarded in just one class (Romanoff, 1987). The Medal
was later changed in the early 1940's to another bronze or oxidised copper
medal of a Greek cross embellished with the crowned cypher of King George II.
A laurel wreath is placed upon the cross and crossed swords protrude from
under the cross. It is pendent on the royal crown by the riband of the Medal
of Military Merit. This medal was reinstituted around 1950 as the Distinguished
Conduct Medal 1950 with the riband changed to yellow with a red stripe
towards each edge. It was awarded in one class and bestowed upon members
of the Armed Forces and civilians for acts of great merit and loyal
service during the Second World War and the internal Greek conflicts up to
1952 (Romanoff, 1987).
The Medal awarded to New Zealanders during the Second World War used the second medal design and the riband of the Medal of Military Merit without any bars added. They were manufactured by Spink and Sons, Limited of London and are of the type shown in the photo above. They are commonly referred to as the Greek Distinguished Conduct Medal, the Greek Distinguished Service Medal, the Medal for Outstanding Service and the Medal for Outstanding Acts in the London Gazette and the official New Zealand war histories. The awards to Colonel Barrington, Colonel King and Captain Griffiths are of the first type using existing stock of the First World War Military Merit Medal and note the inclusion of a Mention in Despatches emblem. However,this was replaced by a small bar with 1940 on it, as shown in the King ribbon set.
First style using Medal of Military
Merit and Bar 1940, as issued to
Barrington, King and Griffiths
Second style Medal for Outstanding
Acts as issued to most New Zealand
recipients
Third Style, Distinguished
Conduct Medal as issued
from 1950
MEDAL FOR OUTSTANDING ACTS
31625 Colonel Benjamin BARRINGTON
For assisting 3 Greek Mountain Brigade in training and during the
battles of Rimini, Bellaria and Rubicone in Italy 1944, as Assistant
Adjutant and Quarter Master General New Zealand Division. Later Brigadier
Barrington DSO OBE ED Mid, appointed Colonel Commandant of the RNZEME in 1949.[Medal Group]
31346 Colonel Russell David KING
For assisting 3 Greek Mountain Brigade in training and during the battles of
Rimini, Bellaria and Rubicone in Italy 1944, as Assistant Director of
Medical Services New Zealand Division. Later Brigadier King CBE DSO Mid,
Honorary Physician to Her Majesty the Queen.[Ribbon Set]
5984 Captain Jack Lester GRIFFITHS
For assisting 3 Greek Mountain Brigade in training and during the
battles of Rimini, Bellaria and Rubicone in Italy 1944, as Aide de camp to
General Freyberg. Later Major Griffiths MC Mid, Aide de camp to General
Officer Commanding 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force 1941 to
1945. Previously Captain New Zealand All Blacks 1936.
35878 Temporary Warrant Officer Class II Douglas Kennedy COLLISON
New Zealand Army Service Corps, attached to British
Military Mission 210 in 1942, as a mechcanic instructor to elements of
1st Royal Greek Brigade. Gazetted in London Gazette 20 June
1944.[Gazette Entry]
23102 Staff Sergent Anthony Joeseph BLUMENTHAL
New Zealand Infantry, attached to British Military Mission 210 in
1942, as an instructor to elements of 1st Royal Greek
Brigade. Not listed in London Gazette, but award confirmed by family. Later Temporary Warrant Officer Class Two Blumenthal, CQMS 24 Battalion.
4045 Staff Sergeant Leonard James KNOX
New Zealand Divisional Signals, attached to British Military Mission 210 in
1942, as a signals instructor to elements of 1st Royal Greek
Brigade. Gazetted in London Gazette 20 June 1944. Later Staff Sergeant
Knox EM.[Gazette Entry]
20518 Staff Sergeant Francis O'Connell SAINTY
21 Battalion, attached to British Military Mission 210 in 1942, as
an instructor to elements of 1st Royal Greek Brigade. Gazetted
in London Gazette 20 June 1944.[Gazette Entry]
30339 Sergeant Harold Keith AMNER
25 Battalion, attached to British Military Mission 210 in 1942, as an
instructor to elements of 1st Royal Greek Brigade. Gazetted in
London Gazette 20 June 1944. Died of wounds 13 June 1943.[Gazette Entry]
22393 Sergeant Stephen William FLEMING
7 Anti Tank Regiment, New Zealand Artillery, attached to British
Military Mission 210 in 1942, as an instructor to elements of
1st Royal Greek Brigade. Gazetted in London Gazette 20 June
1944.[Gazette Entry]
1656 Sergeant Donald Faa McMASTER
4 Field Regiment, New
Zealand Artillery, attached to British Military Mission 210 in 1942, as an
instructor to elements of 1st Royal Greek Brigade. Gazetted in
London Gazette 20 June 1944.[Gazette Entry]
8433 Sergeant Louis Gabriel MENDELSSOHN
25 Battalion, attached to British Military Mission 210 in 1942, as
an instructor to elements of 1st Royal Greek Brigade. Gazetted
in London Gazette 20 June 1944. Later Sergeant Mendelssohn MM.[Gazette Entry]