History
This is the Imperial Service Medal of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, current from 1952, carrying the Queen's effigy. The award itself, established in 1902 for the civil servants of the Crown on their retirement, is described more fully on the George VI page; this issue continued that recognition into the post-war decades, including the years before Australia developed its own honours system and, for a time, alongside it.
The qualifying period remained at least 25 years of established service. The medal keeps its circular silver form and its reverse figure resting before the setting sun with the words For Faithful Service. As an Imperial award it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal is a circular silver medal, 32 millimetres in diameter, its obverse bearing the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. The reverse shows a naked man resting from his labours before the setting sun, with the inscription FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE. The recipient's name is impressed on the rim.
The ribbon
Red with a central light blue stripe.
The ribbon is red with a central light blue stripe.
Eligibility
The medal was awarded to civil servants of the Crown on their retirement after long and meritorious service.
- At least 25 years of established service was required; the medal went chiefly to the manual and industrial grades of the public service;
- It carries no post-nominal letters and no clasps; this issue bears the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II;
- 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 Elizabeth II issue?
The crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse, current from her accession in 1952.
What is the medal awarded for?
Long and meritorious service by civil servants of the Crown, presented on retirement after at least 25 years' established service.
What does the reverse show?
A naked man resting from his labours before the setting sun, with the words For Faithful Service, the same design used since 1920.
How does it differ from the George VI issue?
Only in the sovereign's effigy; the reverse, ribbon, criteria and form are common to all issues of the medal.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No. Recipients are not entitled to any post-nominal letters.
Is it named to the recipient?
Yes, impressed on the rim with the recipient's name.