Suspension
By a straight bar, slotted for the ribbon, with a V-lug below, made in one piece. The front of the bar is ornamented with laurels [the die cast bars having the leaves set more closely together], and the reverse engraved with details of the recipient. The Cross and suspender bar are joined by a small link which passes through the lugs of both components. On earlier issues the link is completely circular and the inside bottom of the V-lug slightly recessed to accomodate it. Later the link was made oval and the lug not recessed.

Obverse
In reality the Cross is not a Maltese Cross, as it is described in the Royal Warrants, but is closer to a cross patte.

Reverse
The date [or dates], of the act of gallantry is engraved in the centre circle.

Bars
This is based on the suspender bar but without the V-lug, ribbon and frame above. The reverse is engraved with details of the recipient and the date or dates of the act.

The Cross
The Cross is 1.375 inches wide and, together with the suspender bar and link, weighs about 0.87 ounces troy, although chasing and finishing may cause slight variations in these figures. The design of the Cross is attributed to H. H. Armstead who at the time of its inception was working for Hancocks, the design then being approved by the Queen.

Naming
Details of the recipient are engraved in capital letters on the reverse of the suspender bar, and the date or dates of the act of gallantry in the centre circle of the reverse of the cross. The style of the engraving varies although, generally speaking, the use of serifs seem to have been discontinued during the South African War [Boer] War. However, King Edward VII having approved posthumous issues, some comparitavely modern Crosses exist which were awarded for services performed many years before. Sometimes the inscription is of the same colour as the decoration itself. The latter practise seems to have been more general before the Boer War although thereafter no particular pattern is apparent. The details on the suspender bar include the rank, name and regiment, or other description of the recipient. Abbreviations are used, according to the length of the inscription, and during the First World War the practise of adding the regimental or equivalent number in the case of recipients below commissioned rank was introduced. Occasionally the recipient's full [or abbreviated] first names appear. The First World War and later inscriptions tend to be fuller than those appearing previously. The details on the reverse of the Cross give the date or dates of the act concerned, the month usually being abbreviated.

Re-issues
Occasionally a recipient has been issued with a replacement which, in itself, cannot readily be detected, although suspicion may be aroused if the accompanying medals are themselves replacement issues. Hancocks are able to say if a replacemnt has been issued.