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Military awards and decorations of the United Kingdom

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Awards and decorations of the British Military are military orders, decorations and medals which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the British armed forces. Together with military badges, such awards are a means to outwardly display the highlights of a service member's career.

Order of wear[]

All services use a common order of wear, the following general rules apply:[1]

  1. The Victoria Cross and the George Cross
  2. United Kingdom Orders
  3. United Kingdom Decorations
  4. Order of St John (all classes)
  5. United Kingdom Medals for Gallantry and for Distinguished Service
  6. United Kingdom Operational Service Medals (including authorised United Nations Medals and Medals of other recognised International Organisations). Worn in order of date of award
  7. United Kingdom Polar Medals
  8. United Kingdom Police Medals for Valuable Service
  9. United Kingdom Jubilee, Coronation and Durbar Medals
  10. Long Service and Efficiency Awards
  11. Commonwealth Orders, Decorations and Medals instituted by the Sovereign. Worn in order of date of award.
  12. Commonwealth Orders, Decorations and Medals instituted since 1949 otherwise than by the Sovereign (including those of the States of Malaysia and the State of Brunei). Worn in order of date of award.
  13. Foreign Orders. If approved for wear, worn in order of date of award.
  14. Foreign Decorations. If approved for wear, worn in order of date of award.
  15. Foreign Medals. If approved for wear, worn in order of date of award.

British military medals and ribbons[]

Military orders and decorations[]

Emblem Description Postnom Established Eligibility Period [1] Remarks
Level 1 Decorations
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Victoria Cross VC 05 Feb 1856[2] Jan 1856 – present
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text George Cross GC 24 Sep 1940[3] 1940 – present
Orders – First Class
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
(Military Division)		 GCB(Mil) 27 May 1725[4][5] 27 May 1725 – present[4][5] Prior to 02 Jan 1815, this grade was known as a Knight Companion of the Order of the Bath.[4][5]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Order of Merit
(Military Division)		 OM(Mil) 23 Jun 1902[6] 23 Jun 1902 – present[6]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
(Military Division)		 GBE(Mil) 24 Aug 1917[7][8] 04 Jun 1917 – present[7][8]
Orders – Second Class
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Knight/Dame of the Order of the Bath
(Military Division)		 KCB(Mil)
DCB(Mil)		 02 Jan 1815[4][5] 02 Jan 1815 – present[4][5]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Knight/Dame of the Order of the British Empire
(Military Division)		 KBE(Mil)
DBE(Mil)		 24 Aug 1917[7][8] 04 Jun 1917 – present[7][8]
Orders – Third Class
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Companion of the Order of the Bath
(Military Division)		 CB(Mil) 02 Jan 1815[4][5] 1815 – present[4][5]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Commander of the Order of the British Empire
(Military Division)		 CBE(Mil) 24 Aug 1917[7][8] 04 Jun 1917 – present[7][8]
Level 2A Decoration (Order)
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Distinguished Service Order DSO 09 Nov 1886[9] 1885 – present[10] From Oct 1993 awarded for leadership only. Replaced for gallantry in Oct 1993 by the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.[9]
Orders – Fourth Class
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Officer of the Order of the British Empire
(Military Division)		 OBE(Mil) 24 Aug 1917[7][8] 04 Jun 1917 – present[7][8]
Orders – Fifth Class
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Member of the Order of the British Empire
(Military Division)		 MBE(Mil) 24 Aug 1917[7][8] 04 Jun 1917 – present[7][8]
Level 2A Indian Order (Decoration)
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Indian Order of Merit (1st Class)
(Military Division)		 IOM(Mil) 1837–1911 Replaced by the VC in 1911.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Indian Order of Merit (2nd Class)
(Military Division)		 IOM(Mil) 1837–1947
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Indian Order of Merit (3rd Class)
(Military Division)		 IOM(Mil) 1837–1947
Level 2A Decorations
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Conspicuous Gallantry Cross CGC 1993 – present
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Royal Red Cross (Class I) RRC 1883 – present
Level 3A Decorations
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Distinguished Service Cross DSC 1901 – present
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Military Cross MC Dec 1914[11] 1914 – present
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Distinguished Flying Cross DFC 1918 – present
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Air Force Cross AFC 03 Jun 1918[12] 1918 – present
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Royal Red Cross (Class II) ARRC 1917 – present
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Order of British India (First Class) OBI 1837–1947
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Order of British India (Second Class) OBI 1837–1947
Level 2B Medals
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Distinguished Conduct Medal DCM 1854–1993
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Conspicuous Gallantry Medal CGM 1874–1993
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) CGM 1874–1993
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text George Medal GM 1940 – present
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Royal West African Frontier Force Distinguished Conduct Medal
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text King's African Rifles Distinguished Conduct Medal
Level 3B Medals
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Indian Distinguished Service Medal IDSM 1907–1947
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Distinguished Service Medal DSM 1914–1993
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Military Medal MM 1916–1993
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Distinguished Flying Medal DFM 1918–1993
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Air Force Medal AFM 1918–1993
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Medal for Saving Life at Sea SGM 1854 – present
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Queen's Gallantry Medal QGM 1974 – present
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text British Empire Medal BEM 24 Aug 1917[7][8] 04 Jun 1917[7] – 1993[8]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Queen's Volunteer Reserves Medal QVRM 1992 – present
Level 4 Commendations
File:Queens Commendation for Brave Conduct (Military).png Mentioned in Despatches Nil 1920 1914 – present
File:Queens Commendation for Brave Conduct.png King's/Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct Nil 1939–1994
King's/Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air Nil 1939–1994
Queen's Commendation for Bravery Nil 1994 – present
Queen's Commendation for Bravery in the Air Nil 1994 – present
Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service Nil 1993 – present

Note [1] Eligibility period start dates reflect respective establishment dates, except where available evidence indicates otherwise.

Military campaign medals[]

Emblem Description Established Eligibility Period Remarks
19th Century Campaign Medals
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Army Gold Cross 1810 1808–1814 Issued with battle/action clasps where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Army Gold Medal 1810 1808–1814 Issued with battle/action claps where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Waterloo Medal 1816 16 Jun 1815 – 18 Jun 1815
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Ghuznee Medal 1839 21 Jul 1839 – 23 Jul 1839
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Candahar, Ghuznee, Cabul Medal 1842 1839–1842
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Jellalabad Medals 1842
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Medal for the Defence of Kelat-I-Ghilzie 1842
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text China War Medal (1842) 1843 05 Jul 1840 – 29 Aug 1842 Issued with clasps for Second China War where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Scinde Medal 22 Sep 1843 1842–1843 Issued in one of three types: "Meeanee 1943", "Hyderabad 1843" and "Meeanee/Hyderabad 1843".
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Gwalior Star 1843
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Sutlej Medal 17 Apr 1846 07 Sep 1845 – 14 Mar 1849 Issued with battle/action clasps where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Naval General Service Medal 1847 1793–1840 Always issued with battle/action clasps.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Military General Service Medal 1 Jun 1847 1793–1814 Always issued with battle/action clasps.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Punjab Medal 02 Apr 1849 07 Sep 1848 – 14 Mar 1849 Issued with battle/action clasps where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Army of India Medal 21 Mar 1851 1803–1826 Always issued with battle/action clasps.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text India General Service Medal (1854) 11 Mar 1854 1852–1895 Issued in silver. From 1885, issued in bronze to non-enlisted support personnel. Always issued with battle/action clasps.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text South Africa Medal (1854) 1854 1834–1835
1846–1847
1850–1853
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Crimean War Medal 15 Dec 1854 1854–1856 Issued with battle/action clasps where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Baltic Medal 23 Apr 1856 1854–1855
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Indian Mutiny Medal 1858 1857–1858 Issued with battle/action clasps where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Second China War Medal 06 Mar 1861 1856–1860 Issued with battle/action clasps where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text New Zealand Medal 1869 1845–1848
1860–1866		 Issued in bronze and silver.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Abyssinian War Medal 1869
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Canada General Service Medal 1866–1870
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Ashantee Medal 1873–1874
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text South Africa Medal (1877) Aug 1880 1877–1879 Issued with campaign clasp where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Afghanistan Medal 1881 1878–1880
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Egypt Medal 1882–1889
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text East and West Africa Medal 1892 13 Nov 1887 – 8 May 1900 Issued in silver to officers and enlisted personnel and in bronze to non-enlisted support personnel. Issued with campaign and battle/action clasps where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text India General Service Medal (1895) 01 Apr 1896 03 Mar 1895 – 10 Mar 1902 Always issued with appropriate campaign clasps.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Ashanti Star 1896
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Queen's Sudan Medal 1899
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text East and Central Africa Medal 1899 20 Jul 1897 – 2 May 1899 Always issued with appropriate campaign clasps.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Queen's South Africa Medal Apr 1901 11 Oct 1899 – 31 May 1902 Issued in silver to officers and enlisted personnel and in bronze to non-enlisted support personnel. Issued with appropriate battle or state clasps where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Queen's Mediterranean Medal 1902 1899–1902
20th Century Campaign Medals
Pre-World War
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Third China War Medal 1901 1900 Issued in silver to officers and enlisted personnel and in bronze to non-enlisted support personnel. Issued with battle/action clasps where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Ashanti Medal 1901
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text King's South Africa Medal 1902 01 Jan 1902 – 01 Jun 1902 Issued with clasps South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902 where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Africa General Service Medal 1902 ? – 1962
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Transport Medal 1903 For South Africa or China.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Tibet Medal 01 Feb 1905 13 Dec 1903 – 23 Sep 1904 Issued in silver to officers and enlisted personnel and in bronze to non-enlisted support personnel.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text India General Service Medal (1909) 01 Jan 1909 1908–1935 Issued in silver to officers and enlisted personnel and, during 1908–1912, in bronze to non-enlisted support personnel. Always issued with appropriate campaign clasps.
World War I
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text 1914 Star Apr 1917 05 Aug 1914 – 22 Nov 1914 Issued with clasp 5th Aug – 22nd Nov 1914 where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text 1914-15 Star Dec 1918 05 Aug 1914 – 31 Dec 1915
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text British War Medal 26 Jul 1919 05 Aug 1914 – 11 Nov 1918 Issued in silver to officers and enlisted soldiers and in bronze to non-enlisted support personnel.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Victory Medal 01 Sep 1919 05 Aug 1914 – 11 Nov 1918
1919–1920
11 Nov 1918 – 30 Nov 1919		 World War 1. Issued with MID oak leaf cluster where appropriate.
British Naval Mission to Russia
North Sea mine clearance
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Territorial Force War Medal Apr 1920 04 Aug 1914 – 11 Nov 1918
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Mercantile Marine War Medal 01 Sep 1919 04 Aug 1914 – 11 Nov 1918
Inter-World War
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Naval General Service Medal (1915) 06 Aug 1915 1909 – 23 Dec 1962 Always issued with appropriate campaign clasps.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text General Service Medal (1918) 19 Jan 1923 12 Nov 1918 – 23 Dec 1962 Always issued with appropriate campaign clasps.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text India General Service Medal (1936) 03 Aug 1938 1936–1939 Always issued with appropriate campaign clasps. Issued with MID oak leaf where appropriate.
World War II
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text 1939-45 Star 1945 03 Sep 1939 – 02 Sep 1945 Issued with clasp Battle of Britain where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Atlantic Star 03 Sep 1939 – 8 May 1945 Issued with clasps Air Crew Europe or France and Germany where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Air Crew Europe Star 03 Sep 1939 – 05 Jun 1944 Issued with clasps Atlantic or France and Germany where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Africa Star 10 Jun 1940 – 12 May 1943 Issued with clasps 8th Army or 1st Army or North Africa 1942 – 43 where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Pacific Star 08 Dec 1941 – 02 Sep 1945 Issued with clasp Burma where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Burma Star 11 Dec 1941 – 02 Sep 1945 Issued with clasp Pacific where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Italy Star 11 Jun 1943 – 8 May 1945
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text France and Germany Star 06 Jun 1945 – 8 May 1945 Issued with clasp Atlantic where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Defence Medal 16 Aug 1945 03 Sep 1939 – 02 Sep 1945 Issued with KCBC silver oak leaf where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text War Medal 1939–1945 16 Aug 1945 03 Sep 1939 – 02 Sep 1945 Issued with MID bronze oak leaf or KCBC silver oak leaf where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text India Service Medal 06 Jun 1946 03 Sep 1939 – 02 Sep 1945
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Canadian Volunteer Service Medal 22 Oct 1943 03 Sep 1939 – 01 Mar 1947 Issued with Maple Leaf, Dieppe, or Hong Kong clasps where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Africa Service Medal 23 Dec 1943 06 Sep 1939 – 02 Sep 1945 Issued with KCSA (1939–45) bronze protea where appropriate.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Australia Service Medal Nov 1949 03 Sep 1939 – 02 Sep 1945
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text New Zealand War Service Medal 30 Sep 1948[13] 03 Sep 1939 – 02 Sep 1945
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Southern Rhodesia Medal for War Service
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Newfoundland Volunteer War Service Medal 17 Dec 1993 03 Sep 1939 – 02 Sep 1945
Post-World War
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Korea Medal Jul 1951 01 Jul 1950 – 27 Jul 1953
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text General Service Medal (1962) 06 Oct 1964 24 Dec 1962 – 31 Jul 2007[14] Always issued with appropriate campaign claps. Replaced 1918 GSM.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text South Atlantic Medal 1982 02 Apr 1982 – 12 Jul 1982[15] Issued with Rosette for service south of 35th Parallel where appropriate.[15]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Gulf Medal 1992 02 Aug 1990 – 07 Mar 1991[15] Issued with clasp August 1990 or 6 Jan to 28 Feb 1991 where appropriate.[15]
21st Century Campaign Medals
See below Operational Service Medal 1 Jan 2000[16] See below Replaced GSM 1962. Issued with a separate ribbon for each campaign.
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text   OSM Sierra Leone 2002 5 May 2000 – 31 Jul 2002[16] Issued with Rosette for Op BARRAS or Op MAIDENLY where appropriate.[16]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text   OSM Afghanistan 2003 11 Sep 2001 – present[16] Issued with clasp Afghanistan where appropriate.[16]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text   OSM Democratic Republic of Congo 2005 14 Jun 2003 – 10 Sep 2003[16] Always issued with Clasp DROC.[16]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Iraq Medal 23 Feb 2004 20 Jan 2003 – present[15] Issued with clasp 19 Mar to 28 Apr 2003 where appropriate.[15]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal 26 Jun 2004 19 Mar 2003 – present

Coronation and Jubilee medals[]

Emblem Description Established Eligibility Period Remarks
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Queen Victoria Golden Jubilee Medal 1887 Issued in Gold, Silver or Bronze
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Medal 1897 Issued in Gold, Silver or Bronze
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text King Edward VII Coronation Medal 1902 26 Jun 1902
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text King George V Coronation Medal 1911 23 Jun 1911 Civil/Military award
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text King George V Coronation Medal 1911 23 Jun 1911 Police award
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text King George V Silver Jubilee Medal 1935 6 May 1935
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text King George VI Coronation Medal 1937 12 May 1937
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953 02 Jun 1953
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal 1977 06 Feb 1977
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal 2002 06 Feb 2002

Efficiency and long service decorations and medals[]

Emblem Description Post
nom 		Estab. Eligibility Period Remarks
Meritorious Service
Meritorious Service Medal
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text   Meritorious Service Medal 1845 – present Army
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text   Meritorious Service Medal (Royal Navy) 1919 1928 – present
  Meritorious Service Medal (Royal Marines) 1849 1947 – present
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text   Meritorious Service Medal (Royal Air Force) 1918 1928 – present
Accumulated Campaign Service
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Accumulated Campaign Service Medal 1994 1969 – present
Long Service and Good Conduct
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (Military) 1830 – present Army
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal 1831 – present
Meritorious Service (resumed)
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Medal for Meritorious Service (Royal Navy) MSM 1918–1928
Long Service and Good Conduct (resumed)
Indian Long Service and Good Conduct Medal For Europeans of the Indian Army.
Meritorious Service (resumed)
Indian Meritorious Service Medal For Europeans of the Indian Army.
Royal Marines Meritorious Service Medal 1849–1947
Royal Air Force Meritorious Service Medal 1918–1928
Long Service and Good Conduct (resumed)
Royal Air Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal 1919 – present
Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (Ulster Defence Regiment)
Indian Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (for the Indian Army)
Royal West African Frontier Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Royal Sierra Leone Military Forces Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
King's African Rifles Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Meritorious Service (resumed)
Indian Meritorious Service Medal (for the Indian Army)
Hong Kong Disciplined Services Medal
Part Time Forces Long Service
Army Emergency Reserve Decoration ERD
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Volunteer Officers' Decoration VD 1892–1907
Volunteer Long Service Medal
Volunteer Officers' Decoration (for India and the Colonies) VD
Volunteer Long Service Medal (for India and the Colonies)
Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration VD
Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal
Marksmanship
Medal for Good Shooting (Naval)
Part Time Forces Long Service (resumed)
Militia Long Service Medal
Imperial Yeomanry Long Service Medal
Territorial Decoration TD
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text   Territorial Decoration TD 1908 1908–1999
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text   Territorial Decoration(HAC) TD 1908 1908–1999
Ceylon Armed Services Long Service Medal
Efficiency Decoration ED
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text   Efficiency Decoration ED 1930–1999
  Efficiency Decoration (Territorial & Volunteer Reserve) ED 1930–1999
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text   Efficiency Decoration(HAC) ED 1930–1999
Efficiency Medal
  Territorial Efficiency Medal
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text   Efficiency Medal 1930–1999
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text   Efficiency Medal (Territorial & Volunteer Reserve) 1930–1999
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text   Efficiency Medal(HAC) 1930–1999
Special Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Reserve RD 1908–1999
Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve VRD
Royal Naval Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Royal Fleet Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Royal Naval Wireless Auxiliary Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Royal Naval Auxiliary Service Medal
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Air Efficiency Award AE 1942–1999 Only award to officers entitles use of postnominal.
Volunteer Reserves Service Medal
  Volunteer Reserves Service Medal 1999 – present
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text   Volunteer Reserves Service Medal(HAC) 1999 – present
Ulster Defence Regiment Medal UD Only award to officers entitles use of postnominal.
Northern Ireland Home Service Medal
Marksmanship (resumed)
Queen's Medal (for Champion Shots of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines)
Queen's Medal (for Champion Shots of the New Zealand Naval Forces)
File:Queen's Medal for Champion Shots of the New Zealand Military Forces ribbon.png Queen's Medal (for Champion Shots in the Military Forces)
Queen's Medal (for Champion Shots of the Air Forces)
Part Time Forces Long Service (resumed)
File:Cadet Forces Medal (NZ) ribbon.png Cadet Forces Medal 1950 – present
Coastguard Auxiliary Service Long Service Medal
Special Constabulary Long Service Medal
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Canadian Forces Decoration CD 1949 – present
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Royal Observer Corps Medal 1950 1941–1995
Civil Defence Long Service Medal
Ambulance Service (Emergency Duties) Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service Medal
Voluntary Service Medals
Women's Royal Voluntary Service Medal
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text South African Medal for War Services 1945 1939–1946

National independence medals[]

Emblem Description Estab. Eligibility Period Remarks
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Rhodesia Medal 1980 01 Dec 1979 – 20 Mar 80[17]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal 1910
Indian Independence Medal
Pakistan Medal
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Ceylon Armed Services Inauguration Medal 1955 1949-51
Sierra Leone Independence Medal
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Jamaica Independence Medal
Uganda Independence Medal
Malawi Independence Medal
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Fiji Independence Medal
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Papua New Guinea Independence Medal
Solomon Islands Independence Medal

Unofficial decorations and medals[]

Unofficial commemorative medals These medals are commercial commemoratives and may not be worn with uniform other than where noted.[18]

  • Allied Cross
  • Allied Ex-Prisoners of War Medal
  • Arctic Campaign Veterans Medal
  • Bomber Command Medal
  • British Forces Germany Medal 1945-1989
  • British Army of the Rhine 1945-1989
  • Cold War Victory Medal
  • Cold War Medal (USA)
  • Eastern Service Medal
  • The Dunkirk Medal
  • Hong Kong Medal
  • Hors de Combat
  • Unofficial Golden Jubilee Medal
  • The National Service Medal
  • Medal for National Service
  • Normandy Campaign Medal
  • Operation Overlord Medal
  • Suez Canal Zone Medal 1951 - 1957
  • United Nations 50th Anniversary Medal
  • United Nations Nobel Peace Medal
  • International Veterans Millenium Medal 2000
  • Unknown Veterans Medal
  • Voluntry Service Medal
  • International Volunteers Service Medal UN, NATO, EU

Foreign and international[]

International campaign medals[]

Worn with other United Kingdom campaign medals in order of date of issue (except where noted otherwise).

Emblem Description Eligibility Period Remarks
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text United Nations Service Medal for Korea 27 Jun 1950 – 27 Jul 1955 Established 12 Dec 1950
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text United Nations Service Medal for ONUC 10 Jul 1960 – 30 Jun 1964[19]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text United Nations Service Medal for UNFICYP 27 Mar 1964 – present[19]
File:UNTAG Medal bar.gif United Nations Service Medal for UNTAG 01 Apr 1989 – 31 Mar 1990[19]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text United Nations Special Service Medal 1989–1990[20]
03 Jul 1992 – 12 Jan 1996[20]
Apr 1991 – present[20]		 For: Peshawar UNOCHA[20]
Sarajevo Airlift[20]
Iraq UNSCOM[20]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text United Nations Service Medal for UNIKOM 01 Apr 1991 – 06 Oct 2003[19]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text United Nations Service Medal for MINURSO 01 Apr 1991 – present[19]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text European Community Monitor Mission Medal 25 Jul 1991 – 30 Jun 1992[21] For service in the Former Yugoslavia.[21]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text United Nations Service Medal for UNAMIC 01 Oct 1991 – 31 Mar 1992[19]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text United Nations Service Medal for UNPROFOR 01 Mar 1992 – 31 Dec 1995[19]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text United Nations Service Medal for UNTAC 01 Apr 1992 – 30 Sep 1993[19]
File:Nastro Jugoslavia.gif NATO Former Republic of Yugoslavia Medal 01 Jul 1992 – 31 Dec 2002[22] Issued with clasp Former Yugoslavia.[22]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Western European Union Mission Service Medal 01 Jul 1992 – 31 Dec 1996[21] For Service in the Former Yugoslavia.[21]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text United Nations Service Medal for UNOMIG 23 Aug 1993 – present[19]
File:UNAMIR Medal bar.gif United Nations Service Medal for UNAMIR 01 Oct 1993 – 31 Mar 1996[19]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text United Nations Service Medal for UNAVEM 3 01 Feb 1995 – 01 Jun 1997[19]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text United Nations Service Medal for UNTAES Jan 1996 – Jan 1998[19]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text United Nations Service Medal for UNOMSIL 01 Jun 1998 – 30 Sep 1999[19]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text NATO Kosovo Medal 13 Oct 1998 – 31 Dec 2002[22] Issued with clasp Kosovo.[22]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text United Nations Service Medal for UNAMET 07 Jun 1999 – 24 Oct 1999[19]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text United Nations Service Medal for UNMIK 10 Jun 1999 – present[19]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text United Nations Service Medal for UNAMSIL 01 Oct 1999 – present[19]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text United Nations Service Medal for UNTAET 25 Oct 1999 – present[19]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text United Nations Service Medal for MONUC 30 Nov 1999 – present[19]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text United Nations Service Medal for UNMEE 15 Sep 2000 – present[19]
File:NATO Macedonia Medal.JPG NATO Macedonia Medal 01 Jun 2001 – 31 Dec 2002[22]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text NATO Non-Article 5 Medal for the Balkans 01 Jan 2003 – 20 Dec 2004[22]
01 Jan 2003 – present[22]
01 Jan 2003 – 31 Mar 2003[22]		 Issued with clasp Non Article 5 for: Balkans[22]
Kosovo[22]
Macedonia[22]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text European Security and Defence Policy Service Medal - Op Althea 02 Dec 2004–present[21] Issued with clasp Althea.[21]

Commonwealth orders[]

Worn after all United Kingdom awards (including international awards treated as United Kingdom awards). Honorary awards are worn before substantive awards.

Commonwealth decorations[]

Worn after all Commonwealth orders.

Commonwealth campaign and commeomorative medals[]

Worn after all Commonwealth decorations.

Emblem Description Established Eligibility Period Remarks
Brunei General Service Medal 12 Aug 1966 – present[23] Sultanate of Brunei. Seconded forces only.[23]
Malaya Active Service Medal 31 Aug 1957 – 15 Sep 1963[23] Malaysia. Seconded forces only.[23]
Kenya Campaign Medal 12 Dec 1963 – 30 Nov 1967[23] Kenya. Seconded forces only.[23]
Campaign Medal 1959[24][25] 23 May 1965 – 30 Sep 1976[23] Oman. Seconded forces only. Referred to in JSP761 as Muscat/Oman Dhofar Campaign Medal.[23]
Malaysia General Service Medal 11 Aug 1966 – 31 Dec 1989[23] Malaysia. Seconded forces only.[23]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text UNITAS Medal 01 Jun 1994 – 26 Apr 2003[23] Republic of South Africa. BMATT personnel only.[23]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text International Force East Timor Medal 25 Mar 2000[26] 16 Sep 1999 – 10 Apr 2000[23] Australia[23]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Malta George Cross Fiftieth Anniversary Medal 1992[27] 10 Jun 1940 – 08 Sep 1943[27] Malta. Not able to be worn whilst in Crown Service[28]

Foreign orders[]

Worn after all Commonwealth awards.

Emblem Description Established Eligibility Period Remarks
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Chevalier Légion d’Honneur 19 May 1802 1914–1918 France. Surviving United Kingdom citizens who participated on French soil in the 1914–1918 War.[29]

Foreign decorations[]

Worn after all foreign orders.

Foreign campaign and commemorative medals[]

Worn after all foreign decorations.

Emblem Description Established Eligibility Period Remarks
Turkish Crimea Medal 21 Feb 1856[30] 1854–1856[31] Ottoman Empire
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text General Service Medal 1963[24][25] 23 May 1965 – 30 Jun 1976[23] Sultanate of Oman. Issued with clasp Dhofar where applicable. Seconded forces only.[23]
The Accession Medal 1970[24][25] 23 Jul 1970[23] Sultanate of Oman. Seconded forces only.[23]
The Peace Medal 1979[25] 01 Jul 1976 – 17 Nov 1985[23] Sultanate of Oman. Seconded forces only.[23]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Endurance Medal (Al-Sumood) 1976[24][25] 23 May 1965 – 02 Dec 1975[23] Seconded forces only. Referred to in JSP761 as the 'Muscat Victory Medal (As Sumood)'.[23]
Medal for the 40th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1985[32] 1941–1945 USSR. For Arctic convoy service. Also known as the Russian Convoy Medal 1941-1945 40th Anniversary Medal.[33]
30th Rennaisance Medal 2000[25] 18 Nov 2000[23] Sultanate of Oman. Seconded forces only.[23]
35th Rennaisance Medal 2005[25] 18 Nov 2005[17] Sultanate of Oman. Seconded forces only.[17]

Decorations and medals authorised for acceptance but not for official wear[]

Official permission has been granted for this medal to be accepted, but it is not authorised for wear.[22]

Emblem Description Eligibility Period Remarks
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text NATO Meritorious Service Medal 2003 – present[22] Issued with clasp Meritorious.[22]

Campaign medals authorised for acceptance but not for official wear[]

Official permission has been granted for these medals to be accepted, but they are not authorised for wear.[21][22]

Emblem Description Eligibility Period Remarks
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Pingat Jasa Malaysia 31 Aug 1957 – 31 Dec 1966 Malaysia Established 2004
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Kuwait Liberation Medal 17 Jan 1991 – 28 Feb 1991 Saudi Arabia Established 1991
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text Kuwait Liberation Medal 02 Aug 1990 – 31 Aug 1993 Kuwait Established 1994
File:NATO Medal Active Endeavour ribbon bar.svg NATO Article 5 Medal for Service on Op ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR 26 Oct 2001 – present[22] Issued with clasp Article 5.[22]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text NATO Article 5 Medal for Service on Op EAGLE ASSIST 16 May 2002 – present[22] Issued with clasp Article 5.[22]
Ribbon bar image refer to adjacent text European Security and Defence Policy Service Medal - Op Artemis 14 Jun 2003 – 10 Dec 2003[21] Issued with clasp Artemis for service in the Congo.[21]

Campaign medals not authorised for acceptance or official wear[]

Official permission has been refused for these medals to be accepted and they are not authorised for wear.[22]

Emblem Description Eligibility Period Remarks
File:NATO Kosovo non-article 5.gif NATO Non-Article 5 Medal for Pakistan Earthquake Service 08 Oct 2005 – 01 Feb 2006[22] Issued with clasp Pakistan.[22]
File:NATO Medal Non-Article 5 - Operations with ISAF.png NATO Non-Article 5 Medal for Service with ISAF 01 Jun 2003 – present[22][34] Issued with clasp ISAF.[22]
File:NATO Medal Non-Article 5 - Operations with ISAF.png NATO Non-Article 5 Medal for NATO Training Mission (Iraq) 18 Aug 2004 – present[22] Issued with clasp NTM-Iraq.[22]
File:NATO Medal Non-Article 5 - Operations with ISAF.png NATO Non-Article 5 Medal for AMIS 13 Jul 2005 – present[22] Issued with clasp AMIS.[22]

Devices[]

Emblem Description Remarks
Image of silver rosette used on ribbon bars
 Rosette Represents the award of a bar to a decoration, or service in a specified zone of the area of operations when used on a campaign medal. They are worn when the ribbon only is worn. For selected campaign medals, they are also worn on the ribband of the campaign medal (when worn with full or miniature medals) to indicate service in a specified zone.
Crossed silver oakleaves From 14 January 1958, any individual made a member of the Order of the British Empire for gallantry (in the grades of Commander, Officer, Member), or awarded the British Empire Medal for gallantry, could wear an emblem of two crossed silver oak leaves on the same riband, ribbon or bow as the badge.[35]
Medal bar A bar is worn on the ribband of a decoration (when worn with full or miniature medals) to denote each additional award of the decoration. Bars are positioned with even spacing between the top and the bottom of the ribbon.
Medal clasp Worn on the ribband of campaign medals (when worn with full or miniature medals) to denote the particular campaign, battle, or region the recipient operated in to receive the award. Claps are positioned at the bottom of the ribbon with successive clasps placed adjacent to each other (with a small gap). The earliest earned clasp is positioned at the bottom whilst the most recent is placed at the top.

See also[]

References[]

Footnotes[]

  1. ↑ Ministry of Defence, JSP761, Chapter 12, Annex A, 'London Gazette Guidance on the Order of Wear'
  2. ↑ London Gazette, "Dates for the Introduction of Medals", p. 5.
  3. ↑ London Gazette, "Dates for the Introduction of Medals", p. 3.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 "No. 20737". 1847-05-25. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/20737/page/ , Subjoined Statutes of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Duckers, Peter, British Orders and Decorations, pp. 21–24.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Martin, Stanley, The Order of Merit, p. 31.
  7. ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 "No. 30250". 1917-08-24. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30250/supplement/ , Statutes of the Order of the British Empire.
  8. ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 Duckers, Peter, British Orders and Decorations, pp. 30–32.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 London Gazette, "Dates for the Introduction of Medals", p. 2.
  10. ↑ "No. 25650". 1886-11-26. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/25650/page/ , DSO Awards for the Battle of Ginnis and Third Anglo-Burmese War
  11. ↑ London Gazette, "Dates for the Introduction of Medals", p. 4.
  12. ↑ London Gazette, "Dates for the Introduction of Medals", p. 1.
  13. ↑ Royal Warrant – New Zealand War Service Medal (accessed 2010-06-06)
  14. ↑ Ministry of Defence, JSP761, Chapter 8, Annex A, para 3, 'General Service Medal 1962'
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 Ministry of Defence, JSP761, Chapter 8, Annex A, para 1, 'Medals for Individual Campaigns or Operations'
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 Ministry of Defence, JSP761, Chapter 8, Annex A, para 2, 'Operational Service Medal'
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Ministry of Defence, JSP761, Chapter 12, Annex B, 'Wearing of Orders, Decorations and Medals by Service Personnel'
  18. ↑ "Medal Frequently Asked Questions". Archived from the original on 2010-05-03. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/tna/+/http://www.mod.uk:80/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/Veterans/Medals/MedalFaqs.htm. Retrieved 2010-06-15. 
  19. ↑ 19.00 19.01 19.02 19.03 19.04 19.05 19.06 19.07 19.08 19.09 19.10 19.11 19.12 19.13 19.14 19.15 19.16 19.17 19.18 Ministry of Defence, JSP761, Chapter 8, Annex A, para 4, 'United Nations'
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 Ministry of Defence, JSP761, Chapter 8, Annex A, para 5, 'United Nations Special Service Medal'
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 21.6 21.7 21.8 Ministry of Defence, JSP761, Chapter 8, Annex A, para 9, 'European and Other International'
  22. ↑ 22.00 22.01 22.02 22.03 22.04 22.05 22.06 22.07 22.08 22.09 22.10 22.11 22.12 22.13 22.14 22.15 22.16 22.17 22.18 22.19 22.20 22.21 22.22 22.23 22.24 22.25 22.26 22.27 Ministry of Defence, JSP761, Chapter 8, Annex A, para 6, 'NATO'
  23. ↑ 23.00 23.01 23.02 23.03 23.04 23.05 23.06 23.07 23.08 23.09 23.10 23.11 23.12 23.13 23.14 23.15 23.16 23.17 23.18 23.19 23.20 23.21 23.22 23.23 Ministry of Defence, JSP761, Chapter 8, Annex A, para 8, 'Foreign and Commonwealth'
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 "Arab Medals -- Oman". gmic.co.uk. Gentlemen's Military Interest Club. 06. http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=14962. Retrieved 2010-06-13. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 25.5 25.6 Barrio, Antonio Prieto. "Ribbon Collection - Oman" (in English/Transliterated Arabic) (gif). Military Collection. http://www.coleccionesmilitares.com/cintas/asia/oman3.gif. Retrieved 2010-06-13. 
  26. ↑ Commonwealth of Australia Gazette S159 International Forces East Timor Medal Letters Patent and Regulations. Canberra: AusInfo. 30 Mar 2000. ISBN 9780642434418. http://www.defence.gov.au/medals/Content/+040%20Campaign%20Medals/+010%20Since%201975/+030%20INTERFET%20Medal/S159-00%20INTERFET%20Letters%20Pat.pdf. Retrieved 2010-06-15. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Rooker, R.J. "152 Hyderabad F Squadron Battle Honours and Medals". [1]. http://www.152hyderabad.co.uk/html/body_honours___medals.html. Retrieved 2010-06-15. 
  28. ↑ "No. 52894". 1992-04-15. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/52894/page/ 
  29. ↑ "No. 55282". 1998-10-15. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/55282/page/ 
  30. ↑ Hayward, John. "Numismatic Notes Part 7: After the War was Over - Turkish Crimea Medal 1856-1862". [2]. London: Spink. http://www.spink.com/resources/research_articles/john_hayward/jh7.asp. Retrieved 2010-06-15.  Date based on offer to British forces by the Sultan of Turkey.
  31. ↑ Duckers, Peter, British Campaign Medals 1815–1914, p. 17.
  32. ↑ "No. 53538". 1994-01-04. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/53538/page/ 
  33. ↑ "The Russian Convoy Medal". London: Service Personnel and Veterans Agency. http://www.veterans-uk.info/medals/russian.html. Retrieved 2010-06-15. 
  34. ↑ NATO Medals (accessed 2010-06-06)
  35. ↑ "No. 41285". 1958-01-14. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/41285/page/ 

Bibliography[]

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