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. It descends from the Medal of the Order instituted in 1917, replaced in 1922 and renamed the British Empire Medal in 1941. This is the military issue of the reign of King George VI, from 1936 to 1952, recognising meritorious service by members of the armed forces.
Since December 1918 the medal has been divided into civil and military divisions, shown by the ribbon; in wartime the military division's medal also recognised acts of gallantry below the standard of the George Medal. Recipients are entitled to the post-nominal letters BEM, and from March 1941 a clasp could mark a further award. 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 and imperial cypher of King George VI 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 George VI issue; in wartime it also recognised gallantry below the standard of the George Medal;
- 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
What is the military British Empire Medal?
The military division of the medal associated with the Order of the British Empire, for meritorious service, and in wartime gallantry, by members of the armed forces.
How is it told apart from the civil division?
By the ribbon: the military division carries an additional pearl-grey stripe down the centre, which the civil division lacks.
Could it be awarded for gallantry?
Yes, in wartime, for gallantry below the standard of the George Medal; from 1958 such awards were designated for gallantry with a silver oak leaf, and were replaced by the Queen's Gallantry Medal in 1974.
What makes this the George VI issue?
The reverse bears the cypher of King George VI, current through his reign from 1936 to 1952.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
Yes, the letters BEM.
How is a further award shown?
By a clasp on the ribbon, authorised from 1941, with a silver rosette when the ribbon alone is worn.