Military Cross awarded to Captain Albert E. Dossett RNVR. The citation in the ‘London Gazette’, 1916 reads as follows: ‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. Although severely wounded, he continued to lead and encourage his men, displaying great courage and determination’.

Dossett entered the Royal Navy at the age of eighteen and transferred to the Royal Naval Division. Serving as a Sub-Lieutenant he was wounded at the Battle of the Somme and awarded the Military Cross. When recovered he was made a King’s Messenger and in October 1917 he transferred to the Indian Army. He was invalided home to Britain in 1923. Captain Dossett died in 1972. The medal is mounted on a bar with three others: British War Medal 1914-18 (MED1501), Victory Medal 1914-18 (MED1502) and the Special Constabulary Long Service Medal (MED1503).

The Military Cross is a silver cross with a crown pointing outwards on each arm. In the centre is the royal cipher. The cross hangs from a plain bar through which the ribbon passes. The ribbon is white with a purple stripe. The reverse of the medal is engraved, ‘SUB LT. A.E.DOSSETT R.N.V.R. PRESENTED 28.2.17.

The medal was instituted in December 1914 as a reward for gallantry for officers of the rank of Captain and below and for warrant officers.