History
The Meritorious Service Medal began in 1845 as a British Army award for warrant officers and sergeants of long and meritorious service, carrying a small annuity that kept its numbers deliberately low. From 1895 it was extended to the local permanent forces of the Empire, and the Australian colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania each awarded their own version with the colony's name on the reverse and a distinct ribbon. After Federation these were replaced from 1903 by a single Commonwealth issue, its reverse inscribed COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.
The Elizabeth II issue closed the Australian series. Awarded from 1952, it recognised the career warrant officers and senior sergeants of the post-war army: the men who trained the national servicemen of the 1950s and the battalions of the Malayan Emergency, Confrontation and Vietnam era, their own service stretching back in many cases to the Second World War. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet records the medal as awarded until 1975, when the Imperial long service awards gave way to the National Medal, though the Australian War Memorial catalogues the series as late as 1985.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal is circular and silver, suspended from an ornate scroll bar. The obverse bears the crowned effigy of the reigning Sovereign; the reverse carries a small crown above a wreath surrounding the words FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE, with COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA above the crown on the Australian issue.
On this issue the obverse bears the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.
The ribbon
Crimson with twin dark green central stripes, the Australian issue's colours.
The ribbon of the Australian issue is crimson with two central stripes of dark green, distinguishing it from the United Kingdom medal's crimson with white stripes at the edges and centre.
Eligibility
The Australian medal was awarded to warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers of the Australian Military Forces for long and meritorious service.
- Recipients were generally required to hold the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal first, with published qualifying periods varying across eras and references between 21 and 24 years of service;
- Recommendations were made through commanding officers, and the number of awards remained small: only a few thousand were made across the life of the series;
- The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet records the medal as awarded until 1975, when the Imperial long service awards were replaced by the National Medal, while the Australian War Memorial catalogues the series as late as 1985. The recipient's record is the reliable guide for an individual award.
Order of wear
The Imperial long service awards are worn together in the long service group, after the Australian long service medals and the Champion Shots Medal, in order of the date of the award, with the Service Medal of the Order of St John worn after all of them. The precise arrangement should be confirmed against the current Australian Order of Wear.
Frequently asked questions
What years does the Elizabeth II issue cover?
Awards made from 1952 until the series closed, which the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet places at 1975 with the arrival of the National Medal, while the Australian War Memorial catalogues examples as late as 1985.
Who received it?
Career warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers of the Australian Military Forces, generally holders of the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with more than two decades of exemplary service.
Is this the MSM with the post-nominal?
No. The post-nominal attaches only to the 1916 to 1928 wartime use of the Imperial medal; the Australian long service medal carries none.
Can it be worn with the National Medal?
Yes. Careers that spanned 1975 can hold both, worn in the long service group in order of the date of award.
How do I tell an Australian award from a British one?
By the COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA reverse and the crimson ribbon with two central dark green stripes.
Why are the qualifying years quoted differently in different places?
Published references genuinely disagree, citing figures from 21 to 24 years across the medal's eras. For a specific award the recipient's service record is the reliable guide.