History
This is the Military Medal as first instituted, bearing the effigy of King George V, who created it on 25 March 1916. It is the issue of the First World War, when Australian soldiers won the medal in vast numbers for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire, and of the interwar years until the King's death in 1936. Two obverse types belong to the reign: the King in Field Marshal's uniform from 1916 to 1930, and the King crowned and robed from 1930 to 1937.
The Military Medal was the most widely awarded gallantry decoration to Australian other ranks, and the overwhelming majority of those awards are George V issues from the Great War. The design of the reverse, the ribbon and the criteria are those of the Military Medal described on the main page; what marks this issue is the sovereign's effigy. As an Imperial award it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal is the standard circular silver Military Medal, its reverse inscribed FOR BRAVERY IN THE FIELD within a laurel wreath surmounted by the royal cypher and crown. The obverse bears the effigy of King George V, in Field Marshal's uniform in the first type of the reign and crowned and robed in the second.
The ribbon
Dark blue with a central group of white and crimson stripes.
The ribbon is dark blue with a central band of three white and two crimson stripes, giving five narrow central stripes on a blue field.
Clasps
Further acts of gallantry meriting the medal are recognised by a bar rather than a second medal.
Bar (further award)
A silver laurelled bar is awarded for a further act of gallantry meriting the medal, worn on the ribbon; when the ribbon alone is worn, a silver rosette denotes each bar.
Eligibility
The George V issue was awarded on the criteria of the Military Medal: acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire by other ranks.
- It was awarded during the reign of King George V, from 1916 to 1936, and includes the medal's vast First World War issue;
- A silver laurelled bar denotes a further award, with a silver rosette worn on the ribbon when the ribbon alone is worn;
- Recipients are entitled to the post-nominal letters MM. As an Imperial award it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Order of wear
Imperial awards were the honours of Australia before the Australian honours system was established in 1975, and they retain their place in the Order of Wearing. They are worn after the Australian honours of their kind and among the Imperial awards in the order set by the Australian Order of Wearing, which follows the British order of precedence.
Frequently asked questions
What makes this the George V issue?
The effigy of King George V on the obverse. He instituted the medal in 1916, and this issue was current throughout his reign to 1936.
Are there different obverse types within the reign?
Yes, two: the King in Field Marshal's uniform from 1916 to 1930, and the King crowned and robed from 1930 to 1937.
Which era does it belong to?
Chiefly the First World War, when Australian soldiers won the Military Medal in vast numbers, and the interwar years to 1936.
How is it different from the George VI issue?
Only in the sovereign's effigy; the reverse, ribbon and criteria are common to all Military Medals.
How are further awards shown?
By a silver laurelled bar on the ribbon, with a silver rosette worn when the ribbon alone is displayed.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
Yes, the letters MM.