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 civil issue of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, from 1952, bearing her cypher on the reverse. It continued the recognition of meritorious civilian service through the post-war decades, including the years before and during the establishment of the Australian honours system.
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. The award of the medal to Australians belongs to the Imperial era; Australia developed its own honours from the 1970s. 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.
The ribbon is rose-pink with pearl-grey edges, the pattern adopted in 1937 in place of the earlier purple. The civil division wears it without the central stripe that marks the military division.
Clasps
A further award of the medal is recognised by a clasp on the ribbon.
Eligibility
The medal was awarded for meritorious civilian service worthy of recognition by the Crown.
- This is the civil division of the Elizabeth II issue; the medal recognises meritorious service by those affiliated to the Order of the British Empire;
- 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 civil division's ribbon carries no central 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
What makes this the Elizabeth II civil issue?
The reverse bears the cypher of Queen Elizabeth II, and the civil division's ribbon carries no central stripe.
What is the medal awarded for?
Meritorious civilian service worthy of recognition by the Crown, for those affiliated to the Order of the British Empire.
How does it relate to the MBE?
It ranks below the appointments to the Order; a BEM holder later appointed to the Order could wear the insignia of both.
When did its award to Australians end?
The award of Imperial honours to Australians was wound down as Australia developed its own honours system from the 1970s.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
Yes, the letters BEM.
What does the obverse show?
A seated figure of Britannia within the motto FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE, with FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE below.