British Empire Medal - Elizabeth II Military

History

The British Empire Medal is the medal associated with the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, granted for meritorious civil or military service. This is the military issue of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, from 1952, bearing her cypher on the reverse, recognising meritorious service by members of the armed forces.

Divided since 1918 into civil and military divisions shown by the ribbon, the medal carried the post-nominal BEM and could take a clasp for a further award. Until 1958 the military division could also recognise gallantry, thereafter designated for gallantry and marked by a silver oak leaf, before the Queen's Gallantry Medal replaced that role in 1974. As an Imperial award it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.

Design & ribbon

The medal

The medal is circular silver, 36 millimetres in diameter, with a straight bar suspender. The obverse shows a seated Britannia surrounded by the motto FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE, with the words FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE in the exergue. The reverse bears the royal cypher of Queen Elizabeth II beneath a crown, with the words INSTITUTED BY KING GEORGE V. The recipient's name is engraved on the rim.

The ribbon

Rose-pink with pearl-grey edges and a central grey stripe.

The ribbon is rose-pink with pearl-grey edges and an additional pearl-grey stripe down the centre, which distinguishes the military division from the civil. The pattern was adopted in 1937 in place of the earlier purple with a central red stripe.

Clasps

A further award of the medal is recognised by a clasp on the ribbon.

Eligibility

The medal was awarded for meritorious military service worthy of recognition by the Crown.

• This is the military division of the Elizabeth II issue; until 1958 it could also recognise gallantry, thereafter designated separately for gallantry;
• Recipients are entitled to the post-nominal letters BEM; a clasp marks a further award, denoted by a silver rosette on the ribbon bar;
• The military division's ribbon carries an additional central pearl-grey stripe. 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