At the risk of covering ground already covered by others, the following is a slightly modified extract from a study I did re honours and awards, in this case from the Boer War, for my possible future use.
Having said all that, there is one factor that ranked above all else in determining the number of honours and awards granted. Simply, to receive an award, one had to have been nominated. This is as true today as it was in South Africa, or in any other war in which Canadians fought for that manner. For example, during the South African War 78 Victoria Crosses were awarded to British and Empire forces. Of these, five, including three to Canadians, were awarded to members of 19 Brigade commanded by Major General Horace Smith-Dorrien for just over a year including both Paardeberg and Leliefontein. His nickname was “Half Rations, Full Congratulations” because he worked his troops and himself very hard, but also liberally recommended his officers and men for awards. It is well known in military history circles that the numbers of decorations awarded to members of a unit more often than not reflected the number of the recommendations submitted, and not necessarily the unit’s success in battle. There is another factor which is almost as important. To be successful, any recommendation submitted must be fully documented and well-written. It must also conform to the appropriate instructions and should be as complete as possible. The more documentation, especially eye-witness accounts, included with the submission, the better.
Having said all that, there is one factor that ranked above all else in determining the number of honours and awards granted. Simply, to receive an award, one had to have been nominated. This is as true today as it was in South Africa, or in any other war in which Canadians fought for that manner. For example, during the South African War 78 Victoria Crosses were awarded to British and Empire forces. Of these, five, including three to Canadians, were awarded to members of 19 Brigade commanded by Major General Horace Smith-Dorrien for just over a year including both Paardeberg and Leliefontein. His nickname was “Half Rations, Full Congratulations” because he worked his troops and himself very hard, but also liberally recommended his officers and men for awards. It is well known in military history circles that the numbers of decorations awarded to members of a unit more often than not reflected the number of the recommendations submitted, and not necessarily the unit’s success in battle. There is another factor which is almost as important. To be successful, any recommendation submitted must be fully documented and well-written. It must also conform to the appropriate instructions and should be as complete as possible. The more documentation, especially eye-witness accounts, included with the submission, the better.
