Between 1942 and 1978, a total of 22 Australians were decorated with the George Cross (GC), the highest civil decoration for heroism in the United Kingdom and in several countries comprising the Commonwealth of Nations. Fourteen of these medals were awarded directly: nine to military personnel and five to civilians. At the time of the institution of the GC, living recipients of the Empire Gallantry Medal automatically became recipients of the new award, and were required to return their previous medal; two Australians became GC holders through this method. In 1971, when the British Government announced that living recipients of the Albert Medal would be invited to exchange their medals for the GC, six of the 27 Australian holders of the Albert Medal were living and all opted to exchange their insignia for the GC. Australians received the GC under the Imperial honours system until the establishment of the Australian honours system in 1975. One further award of the GC, however, was granted after this date to Constable Michael Kenneth Pratt in 1978. (Full list...)