Special Medals and Honours
Queen’s Medal for Champion Shot
The Queen's Medal for Champion Shot was originally created under the British Honours System. In June 1968, after the unification of the Canadian Forces, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II gave her approval for the granting in Canada of the British Queen's Medal for Champion Shot. However, it wasn't until 1991 that the Privy Council for Canada advised that there be created and instituted in Canada the Queen's Medal for Champion Shot. On August 28, 1991, Her Majesty approved the creation of the Queen's Medal for Champion Shot in Canada.
Two medals are awarded annually to the member of the Canadian Forces (Regular) and to the member of the Canadian Forces (Reserve) or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who obtain the highest aggregate score in stages one and two of the Queen's Medal Competition.
Description: the Queen's Medal for Champion Shot consists of a circular medal of silver:
- on the obverse of which appears the crowned effigy of Her Majesty circumscribed with the legend ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA and incorporating the word CANADA at the bottom, and
- on the reverse of which appears the figure of Fame rising from her throne, a horn in her left hand, facing left, and crowning with a laurel wreath in her right hand a warrior facing right; the warrior is standing on his right foot with his left foot raised and resting on the dais, supporting on his left knee a target having three arrows in the centre and holding in his right hand a bow and quiver full of arrows
- the ribbon from which the Medal is suspended is 32 mm in width and dark crimson in colour, bordered on each side with a black stripe 9 mm in width, with a white stripe 3 mm in width centred on each black stripe
- the Medal is awarded with a plain Bar, affixed to the ribbon, with the year of the competition inscribed thereon; any subsequent award of the Medal is indicated by such Bar only
Mention in Dispatches
Her Majesty The Queen created the Mention in Dispatches on June 3, 1991, to honour members of the Canadian Forces on active service and other individuals working in conjunction with the Canadian Forces on or after November 1, 1990. The award recognizes valiant conduct, devotion to duty or other distinguished service in combat or near-combat conditions.
The governor general awards Mentions in Dispatches on the recommendation of the chief of the Defence Staff, while presentations are normally made by senior military officials on behalf of the governor general.
Mentions in Dispatches may be awarded posthumously.
The insignia consists of a bronze oak leaf and is worn horizontally on the designated ribbon, with the stalk of the oak leaf farthest from the left shoulder.
Commander-in-Chief Unit Commendation
The Commander-in-Chief Unit Commendation may be awarded to any unit or sub-unit of the Canadian Forces, or to any similar organization of a foreign armed force working with or in conjunction with the Canadian Forces, that has performed an extraordinary deed or activity of a rare high standard in extremely hazardous circumstances. Commander-in-Chief Unit Commendations are restricted to war or war-like conditions in an active theatre of operations.
The Commander-in-Chief Unit Commendation is composed of scroll, insignia and pennant.
The framed gold-embossed scroll is inscribed with the name of the formation, unit or sub-unit concerned, bears an appropriate citation, and is signed by the governor general as the commander-in-chief of the Canadian Forces.
The insignia is a gold bar with the viceregal lion in full colour.
The accompanying pennant is a permanent symbol of the award and may be flown or displayed as a public distinction.
The Vice-Regal and Commissioners' Commendation
Created in 1999, the Vice-Regal Commendation and Commissioners' Commendation is presented by the Governor General, the Lieutenant-Governors of the Provinces and the Commissioners of the Territories respectively for long-term or outstanding service to the Office of the Queen's representative or Territorial Commissioner.
The recipients have either served on staff (paid or volunteer) during an incumbent's mandate in a commendable fashion; or the recipient has performed one or more outstanding acts as a member of the incumbent's staff (paid or volunteer) that has benefited the Office of the Queen's representative or Territorial Commissioner.
