Mention In Despatches 1939-1945:
A despatch is an official report from a senior commander, usually of an army, to his superiors, detailing the conduct of military operations. In the British Armed Forces, this report is published in the London Gazette. If a subordinate officer or soldier performs a noteworthy action included in the report, he/she is said to have been "mentioned in despatches".
Soldiers of the British Commonwealth, who are mentioned in despatches receive a certificate and are entitled to wear a silver oak leaf (from 1920–1994, it was bronze, in the Canadian Forces it still is) on the ribbon of the service medal issued to soldiers who served in a conflict. If no campaign medal is awarded, the oak leaf is worn on the left breast of dress uniform.
