Meritorious service

British Empire Medal (Military and Civil) (BEM)

Context

The Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service. This medal replaced the Medal of the Order of the British Empire (1917-1922) and had a military and a civil division.

Air Force Medal (AFM)

Context

This medal was instituted on 03 June 1918.

Eligibility and Criteria

The Air Force Medal (AFM) is awarded to non-commissioned officers and non-commissioned members for an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty performed whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy.

Description

An oval, silver medal, 1.375 inches wide. For mounting a bomb is attached to the bar and ribbon by two wings.

Obverse:

Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM)

Context

The DFM was instituted on 03 June 1918.

Eligibility and Criteria

The award was made to Non-commissioned Officers and non-commissioned members for an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty performed whilst flying in active operations against the enemy.

Description

An oval, silver medal, 1.375 inches wide..

Medal obverse:

King George V: A bareheaded coinage effigy, facing left, and the legend: GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:

Military Medal (MM)

Context

The medal was instituted on 25 March 1916.

Eligibility and Criteria

The medal is awarded to Warrant Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and non-commissioned members for individual or associated acts of bravery on the recommendation of a Commander-in-Chief in the field.

Description

A circular, silver medal, 1.42 inches in diameter. For mounting, an ornate scroll suspender is attached to the medal with a single-toe claw.

Medal obverse:

Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)

Context

The medal was instituted on 14 October 1914.

Eligibility and Criteria

The medal is awarded to Chief Petty Officers, Petty Officers and non-commissioned members of the Navy (or Army and Air Force personnel of equal rank serving with the fleet) who show themselves to the fore in action, and set an example of bravery and resource under fire, but without performing acts of such pre-eminent bravery as would render them eligible to receive the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.

George Medal (GM)

Context

The George Medal (GM) was established on 24 September 1940.

Eligibility and Criteria

The medal was awarded only for acts of great bravery and was intended primarily for civilians. Awards to the military were confined to actions for which purely military honours were not normally granted.

Description

The circular silver medal is 1.42 inches in diameter. For mounting, a single-toed scroll claw at the top of the medal has a hollow ball through which a larger silver ring passes.

Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Naval) (CGM)

Context

The Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (CGM) was introduced on 07 July 1874. The CGM was amended when the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) was introduced on 14 October 1914.

Eligibility and Criteria

The medal was awarded to Chief Petty Officers (CPOs), Petty Officers and non-commissioned members of the Navy (or Army or Air Force personnel of equal rank serving with the fleet) who distinguished themselves by acts of pre-eminent bravery in action with the enemy.

Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)

Context

The DCM was created on 04 December 1854, because of the Crimea War and was first awarded to a Canadian on 19 April 1901.

Royal Red Cross Class 2 (ARRC)

Context

The Royal Red Cross Class 2 (ARRC) was instituted on 10 November 1915.

Air Force Cross (AFC)

Context

The Air Force Cross was awarded for meritorious service and was established on 3 June 1918, the birthday of King George V.

Eligibility and Criteria

The Air Force Cross is awarded to an officer or a Warrant Officer for an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, but not while in active operations against an enemy.