I always thought the George Cross was the second highest military award, and the highest civillian award.
To clear up the position of the CGC. Cazatou is quite right about conditions for award of the George Cross, and it should be added that it remains one of only two decorations (the other of course being the Victoria Cross) which take precedence over oll other orders, thus even a Knight of the Garter who also held the George Cross would put the letters ''GC' after his name first. The Conspicuous Gallantry Cross is a purely military decoration awarded to all ranks and is the next decoration, taking precedence over all other decorations, but coming after all orders, even the relatively lowly MBE. Less than 25 CGCs had been awarded by the end of 2008, since its institution in 1993.