Awards and decorations of the British Armed Forces explained

The British Armed Forces recognises service and personal accomplishments of individuals while a member of the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force with the awarding of various awards and decorations.

Together with rank and qualification badges, such awards are a means to outwardly display the highlights of a serviceperson's career.

Order of wear

All services use a common order of wear, in accordance with the 2019 order of wear:[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 Campaign and 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.

Jubilee, Coronation and Durbar medals were worn before campaign medals until November 1918, after which the order of wear was changed, with them now worn after campaign medals and before long service awards.[2]

British military medals and ribbons

Military orders and decorations

Emblem Description PostnomEstablished Eligibility Period [1]Remarks
Level 1 Decorations
VC 5 February 1856[3] Jan 1856 – present For valour in combat.
GC 24 September 1940[4] 1940 – present For valour other than in combat.
Orders – First Class
Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
(Military Division)
GCB 27 May 1725[5] [6] 27 May 1725 – present Prior to 2 January 1815, this grade was known as a Knight Companion of the Order of the Bath.
Member of the Order of Merit
(Military Division)
OM 23 June 1902[7] 23 June 1902 – present
Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
(Military Division)
GBE 24 August 1917[8] [9] 4 June 1917 – present
Orders – Second Class
Knight/Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath
(Military Division)
KCB
DCB
2 January 1815 2 January 1815 – present
Knight/Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire
(Military Division)
KBE
DBE
24 August 1917 4 June 1917 – present
Orders – Third Class
Companion of the Order of the Bath
(Military Division)
CB 2 January 1815 1815 – present
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
(Military Division)
CBE 24 August 1917 4 June 1917 – present
Level 2A Decoration (Order)
DSO 9 November 1886[10] 1885 – present[11] From Oct 1993 awarded for leadership only. Replaced for gallantry in Oct 1993 by the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.
Orders – Fourth Class
Officer of the Order of the British Empire
(Military Division)
OBE 24 August 1917 4 June 1917 – present
Orders – Fifth Class
Member of the Order of the British Empire
(Military Division)
MBE 24 August 1917 4 June 1917 – present
Level 2A Indian Order (Decoration)
Indian Order of Merit (1st Class)
(Military Division)
IOM 1837–1911 Replaced by the VC in 1911.
Indian Order of Merit (2nd Class)
(Military Division)
IOM 1837–1947
Indian Order of Merit (3rd Class)
(Military Division)
IOM 1837–1947
Level 2A Decorations
CGC October 1993 1993 – present
RRC 27 April 1883 1883 – present
Level 3A Decorations
DSC June 1901 1901 – present Awarded only to officers until 1993.
MC Dec 1914[12] 1914 – present
DFC June 1918 1918 – present
AFC 3 June 1918[13] 1918 – present
ARRC 27 April 1883 1917 – present
OBI 1837–1947
OBI 1837–1947
Level 2B Medals
DCM 1854 1854–1993 Replaced in Oct 1993 by the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.
CGM 1874–1993
CGM 1874 1874–1993
GM September 1940 1940 – present
1907 1907–1942
1907 1907–1942
Level 3B Medals
IDSM June 1907 1907–1947
DSM October 1914 1914–1993 Equivalent awards for ORs to similarly named crosses for officers.
MM 25 March 1916 1916–1993
DFM June 1918 1918–1993
AFM 3 June 1918 1918–1993
SGM 10 August 1854 1854 – present
BGM 10 May 1940[14] 1940–1948
KGM 20 June 1974 1974 – present
British Empire Medal
(Military Division)
BEM 24 August 1917 4 June 1917 – 1993
2012–present
KVRM 1999 1999 – present
Level 4 Commendations
Nil 1919 1914 – present Insignia attached to appropriate campaign medal; if no campaign medal awarded, insignia attached after any medal ribbons
Nil 1943 1939–1994
Nil 1942 1939–1994
Nil 19941994 – present
Nil 1994 1994 – present
Nil 1994 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
18th Century Campaign Medals
Yellow Cord 1766 1766[15] HEIC Issue. Awarded to Native officers who helped quell a mutiny among European troops.
Yellow Cord 1784 1778–1784 HEIC Issue. Awarded in gold to Subadars, silver gilt to Jemadars and other native officers, and silver to 'native' non-commissioned officers and soldiers.
Yellow Cord 1 April 1793 1790–1792 HEIC Issue. Awarded in gold to Subadars, silver gilt to Jemadars and Serrangs, and silver to 'native' non-commissioned officers and soldiers.
19th Century Campaign Medals
1801 March 1799 – 8 May 1799 HEIC Issue. Awarded in gold, silver gilt, silver, bronze and tin dependent upon rank and position to both British and native soldiers. Authorised for British Army wear on 29 August 1815. Several other ribbons were worn unofficially.
Yellow Cord 31 July 18028 March – 31 August 1801 HEIC Issue. Awarded in gold to senior officers, and silver to all others eligible.
1806 1808–1814 Issued to senior officers with battle/action clasps where appropriate.[16]
Yellow Cord 15 May 1807 1795–1796 HEIC Issue. Awarded in gold to 'native' officers, and silver to 'native' non-commissioned officers and soldiers.
1810 1808–1814 Issued to senior officers with battle/action clasps where appropriate.
Yellow Cord Medal for capture of Rodrigues, Isle of Bourbon and Isle of France1811 1809-1810 HEIC Issue. Awarded in gold to native officers, and silver to native non-commissioned officers and soldiers.
Yellow Cord 1812 1811 HEIC Issue. Awarded in gold to more senior native officers, and silver to native non-commissioned officers and soldiers.
1816 16 – 18 June 1815
1816 1814-1816 HEIC Issue. Awarded to native officers and to selected native non-commissioned officers and soldiers.
1819 1818 HEIC Issue. Awarded to selected native and European non-commissioned officers and soldiers.
1826 1824–1826 HEIC Issue. Awarded in gold to native officers and silver to native non-commissioned officers and soldiers.[17]
Yellow Cord 1837 1837 HEIC Issue. Awarded to selected members of local forces.
1839 21 – 23 July 1839 HEIC Issue.
1842 1839–1842 HEIC Issue.
1842 November 1841 – 16 April 1842HEIC Issue.
1842 February – May 1842HEIC Issue.
1843 5 July 1840 – 29 August 1842 Issued with clasps for Second China War where appropriate.
22 September 1843 1842–1843 HEIC Issue. Issued in one of three types: "Meeanee 1843", "Hyderabad 1843" and "Meeanee/Hyderabad 1843".
1843 1843 HEIC Issue, issued for the Battle of Gwalior, which was fought at Maharajpur and Panihaar. Medals indicated in central disc of star the battleground for which it was issued[18]
1843 29 December 1843 HEIC Issue.
1843 29 December 1843 HEIC Issue.
17 April 1846 7 September 1845 – 14 March 1849 HEIC Issue. Issued with battle/action clasps where appropriate.
1847 1793–1840 Always issued with battle/action clasps.
1 June 1847 1793–1814 Always issued with battle/action clasps.
2 April 1849 7 September 1848 – 14 March 1849 HEIC Issue. Issued with battle/action clasps where appropriate.
21 March 1851 1803–1826 HEIC Issue. Always issued with battle/action clasps.
11 March 1854 1852–1895 Issued in silver. From 1885, issued in bronze to non-enlisted support personnel. Always issued with battle/action clasps.
1854 1834–1835
1846–1847
1850–1853
15 Dec 1854 1854–1856 Issued with battle/action clasps where appropriate.
23 April 1856 1854–1855
1858 1857–1858 Issued with battle/action clasps where appropriate.
6 March 1861 1856–1860 Issued with battle/action clasps where appropriate.
1869 1845–1848
1860–1866
1869 October 1867 – April 1868
1899 1866–1870
June 1874 1873–1874
Aug 1880 1877–1879 Issued with campaign clasp where appropriate.
1881 1878–1880
March 1881 1880
Oct 1882 1882–1889
1899 1886–1897 Issued by the Royal Niger Company for minor military operations.
1892 13 November 1887 – 8 May 1900
1895 1891–1894 Issued in silver to combatants and in bronze to support personnel.
1 April 1896 3 March 1895 – 10 March 1902 Always issued with appropriate campaign clasps.
1896 1895–1896
1899 1896–1898
1899 20 July 1897 – 2 May 1899 Always issued with appropriate campaign clasps.
Apr 1901 11 October 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.
1902 1899–1902
20th Century Campaign Medals
Pre–World War
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.
1901 March – December 1901
1902 1 January – 1 June 1902 Issued with clasps South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902 where appropriate.
1902 1900 – 1956
1903 1899 – 1902 For South Africa or China.
1 February 1905 13 December 1903 – 23 September 1904 Issued in silver to officers and enlisted personnel and in bronze to non-enlisted support personnel.
1 January 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
Apr 1917 5 August – 22 November 1914 Issued with clasp 5 Aug – 22 November 1914 where appropriate.
Dec 1918 5 August 1914 – 31 December 1915
26 July 1919 5 August 1914 – 11 November 1918 Issued in silver to officers and enlisted soldiers and in bronze to non-enlisted support personnel.
1 September 1919 5 August 1914 – 11 November 1918
1919–1920
11 Nov 1918 – 30 November 1919
World War 1. Issued with MID oak leaf cluster where appropriate.
British Naval Mission to Russia
North Sea mine clearance
Apr 1920 4 August 1914 – 11 November 1918
1 September 1919 4 August 1914 – 11 November 1918
Inter-World War
6 August 1915 1909 – 23 December 1962 Always issued with appropriate campaign clasps.
19 January 1923 12 November 1918 – 23 December 1962 Always issued with appropriate campaign clasps.
3 August 1938 1936 – 1939 Always issued with appropriate campaign clasps. Issued with MID oak leaf where appropriate.
World War II
July 1943 3 September 1939 – 2 September 1945 Issued with clasps Battle of Britain or Bomber Command where appropriate.
May 1945 3 September 1939 – 8 May 1945 Issued with clasps Air Crew Europe or France and Germany where appropriate.
December 20123 September 1939 – 8 May 1945 Awarded for any length of operational service north of the Arctic Circle by members of the British Armed Forces and the Merchant Navy. The qualifying period recognises the particular severity of the conditions experienced by those who served in the Arctic.
May 1945 3 September 1939 – 5 June 1944 Issued with clasps Atlantic or France and Germany where appropriate.
July 1943 10 June 1940 – 12 May 1943 Issued with clasps 8th Army or 1st Army or North Africa 1942 – 43 where appropriate.
1945 8 December 1941 – 2 September 1945 Issued with clasp Burma where appropriate.
1945 11 December 1941 – 2 September 1945 Issued with clasp Pacific where appropriate.
May 1945 11 June 1943 – 8 May 1945
May 1945 6 June 1944 – 8 May 1945 Issued with clasp Atlantic where appropriate.
16 August 1945 3 September 1939 – 2 September 1945 Issued with KCBC silver oak leaf where appropriate.
16 August 1945 3 September 1939 – 2 September 1945 Issued with MID bronze oak leaf or KCBC silver oak leaf where appropriate.
6 June 1946 3 September 1939 – 2 September 1945
22 October 1943 3 September 1939 – 1 March 1947 Issued with Maple Leaf, Dieppe, Hong Kong or Bomber Command clasps where appropriate.
23 Dec 1943 6 September 1939 – 2 September 1945 Awarded by the Union of South Africa. Issued with the King's Commendation (South Africa) (1939–45) emblem where appropriate.
Nov 1949 3 September 1939 – 2 September 1945
30 Sept 1948[19] 3 September 1939 – 2 September 1945
1948 1939 – 1945
17 Dec 1993 3 September 1939 – 2 September 1945
Post–World War
Jul 1951 1 July 1950 – 27 July 1953
21 November 2022 1952–1967 Issued for service as part of the UK's nuclear weapons testing programmes[20]
6 October 1964 24 December 1962 – 31 July 2007[21] Always issued with appropriate campaign clasps. Replaced 1918 GSM.
1980 1 December 1979 – 20 March 1980[22] Recipients also received the Zimbabwean Independence Medal, although this is not authorised for wear[23] [24]
1982 2 April – 12 July 1982[25] Issued with Rosette for service between 35° and 60° South.
2 April – 21 October 1982[26] Issued without Rosette for service between 7° and 60° South
1992 2 August 1990 – 7 March 1991 Issued with clasp August 1990 or 6 Jan to 28 February 1991 where appropriate.
21st Century Campaign Medals
See below Operational Service Medal (OSM) 1 January 2000[27] See below Replaced General Service Medal 1962. Issued with a separate ribbon for each campaign.
2002 5 May 2000 – 31 July 2002 Issued with Rosette for Op BARRAS or Op MAIDENLY where appropriate.
2003 11 September 2001 – present Issued with Afghanistan or Operation Pitting clasps where appropriate.
2005 14 June 2003 – 10 September 2003 Always issued with Clasp DROC.
23 February 2004 20 January 2003 – 22 May 2011 Issued with clasp 19 Mar to 28 April 2003 where appropriate.
26 June 2004 19 March 2003 – 2013
6 April 2011 9 November 2001 – present
11 June 2015 23 March 2014 – 29 March 2016[28] First UK campaign medal issued for response to humanitarian crisis.[29]
2015 January 2008 – present[30] New GSM Medal for recipients that do not qualify for other medals.[31] Always issued with appropriate clasps.
2018 26 September 2014 – present Issued with Clasp Iraq and Syria for service in area of operations.
2023 TBC General medal issued for humanitarian service.[32] Always issued with appropriate clasps
2024 11 December 2018 – present General medal issued for service on operations that do not meet criteria for GSM or other campaign medals.[33]
Notes:

Coronation, Jubilee and Durbar medals

Emblem Description Established Date of Event Remarks
Queen Victoria Golden Jubilee Medal[34] 1887 21 June 1887 Issued in Gold, Silver or Bronze
1897 20 June 1897Issued in Gold, Silver or Bronze
1902 26 June 1902 Issued in Silver or Bronze
King Edward VII Delhi Durbar Medal1903 January 1903 Issued in Gold or Silver
1911 23 June 1911 Civil/Military award
1911 December 1911 Issued in Gold or Silver
1935 6 May 1935
1937 12 May 1937
1953 2 June 1953
1977 6 February 1977
2002 6 February 2002
2012 6 February 2012
2022 6 February 2022 On 12 November 2020, the British Government announced that a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal would be struck and awarded in 2022.[35] The Platinum Jubilee Medal was awarded to people who work in public service, including representatives of the Armed Forces, the emergency services and the prison services.[36] [37]
2023 6 May 2023

Efficiency and long service decorations and medals

Emblem Description Post
nom
Estab. Eligibility Period Remarks
Meritorious Service
Meritorious Service Medal (Army)1845 – present
Meritorious Service Medal (Royal Navy)1919 1928 – present
Meritorious Service Medal (Royal Marines)1849 1947 – present
Meritorious Service Medal (Royal Air Force)1918 1928 – present
Accumulated Campaign Service
1994 1969–2011Replaced with ACSM 11
20112008 – Qualifying period reduced from 36 to 24 months
Long Service and Good Conduct
1830–1930 Army
1930 – present Army
1830–1847 Navy
1848 – present Navy
Meritorious Service (resumed)
MSM 1918–1928
Long Service and Good Conduct (resumed)
For Europeans of the Indian Army.
Meritorious Service (resumed)
For Europeans of the Indian Army.
1849–1947
1918–1928
Long Service and Good Conduct (resumed)
1919 – present Air Force
19091919–1932
Indian Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (for the Indian Army)
Meritorious Service (resumed)
Indian Meritorious Service Medal (for the Indian Army)
Part Time Forces Long Service
ERD
VD 1892–1930
1894–1930 HAC ribbon
VD 1894–1899
1896–1930
VD 1921–1927
Gunnery
1903 1903–14
Part Time Forces Long Service (resumed)[38]
1904 1904–1930
1904 1904–1908
Territorial DecorationTD 1908 1908–1999
Territorial Decoration (HAC)TD 1908 1908–1999
1968 1968–1972
Efficiency DecorationTD/ED 1930–
Efficiency Decoration (HAC)TD 1930–1999
Efficiency Decoration (T&AVR)TD 1967–1999
Territorial Force Efficiency Medal1908 1908–1921
Territorial Efficiency Medal1921 1921–1930
Efficiency Medal1930–1999
Army Emergency Reserve Efficiency Medal1953 1953–1967
Efficiency Medal (Territorial & Volunteer Reserve)1930–1999
Efficiency Medal (HAC)1930–1999
1908 1908–1930
RD 1908–1999
VRD
AE 1942–1999 Only award to officers entitles use of postnominal.
Volunteer Reserves Service MedalVR 1999 – present
Volunteer Reserves Service Medal (HAC)VR 1999 – present
UD Only award to officers entitles use of postnominal.
Marksmanship
1966 1966–
1958 1955–
1869 1870–82
1923–
1953 1953–
Part Time Forces Long Service (resumed)
February 1950 1950 – present
CD 1949 – present
1950 1941–1995
Voluntary Service Medals
1961 1961–
1945 1939–1946

National independence medals

Emblem Description Estab. Eligibility Period Remarks
1910
1947
1949
1955 1949–51
1961
1962
1960
1962
1964
1970
1975
1978

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
27 June 1950 – 27 July 1955 Established 12 December 1950
10 July 1960 – 30 June 1964[39]
27 March 1964 – present
1 April 1989 – 31 March 1990
1989–1990[40]
3 Jul 1992 – 12 January 1996
Apr 1991 – present
For: Peshawar UNOCHA
Sarajevo Airlift
Iraq UNSCOM
1 April 1991 – 6 October 2003
1 April 1991 – present
25 July 1991 – 30 June 1992[41] For service in the Former Yugoslavia.
1 October 1991 – 31 March 1992
1 March 1992 – 31 December 1995
1 April 1992 – 30 September 1993
1 July 1992 – 31 December 2002[42] Issued with clasp Former Yugoslavia.
1 July 1992 – 31 December 1996 For Service in the Former Yugoslavia.
23 August 1993 – present
1 October 1993 – 31 March 1996
1 February 1995 – 1 June 1997
Jan 1996 – Jan 1998
1 June 1998 – 30 September 1999
13 October 1998 – 31 December 2002 Issued with clasp Kosovo.
7 June 1999 – 24 October 1999
10 June 1999 – present
1 October 1999 – present
25 October 1999 – present
30 November 1999 – present
15 September 2000 – present
1 June 2001 – 31 December 2002
1 January 2003 – 20 December 2004
1 Jan 2003 – 29 Mar 2010
1 Jan 2003 – 31 March 2003
Issued with clasp Non Article 5 for: Balkans
Kosovo
Macedonia
NATO Non-Article 5 medal for the Balkans 29 Mar 2010 – present
2 Dec 2004 – present Issued with clasp Althea.
23 Mar 2011 – 31 Oct 2011 Issued with clasp OUP-LIBYA/LIBYE.
30 June 2014 – 30 May 2015 Issued with clasp EUFOR RCA.
Multinational Force and Observers MedalMarch 1982 - presentFirst awarded in 2017; retrospective for service from 1982 onwards[43]
Silver numerals on ribbon indicate additional periods of service
United Nations Service medal for UNMISS2011–present
2003 – present Issued with clasp Meritorious.

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 commemorative medals

Worn after all Commonwealth decorations.

Emblem Description EstablishedEligibility Period Remarks
12 August 1966 – present[44] Sultanate of Brunei. Seconded forces only.
31 August 1957 – 15 September 1963 Malaysia. Seconded forces only.
Malaysia 2004 31 August 1957 – 31 December 1966 Permission to wear as at 6 Nov 11.
12 December 1963 – 30 November 1967 Kenya. Seconded forces only.
1959[45] [46] 23 May 1965 – 30 September 1976 Oman. Seconded forces only. Referred to in JSP761 as Muscat/Oman Dhofar Campaign Medal.
11 August 1966 – 31 December 1989 Malaysia. Seconded forces only.
1 June 1994 – 26 April 2003 Republic of South Africa. BMATT personnel only.
25 March 2000[47] 16 September 1999 – 10 April 2000 Australia
1992[48] 10 June 1940 – 8 September 1943 Malta. Not able to be worn whilst in Crown Service

Foreign orders

Worn after all Commonwealth awards.

Emblem Description EstablishedEligibility Period Remarks
1799 1799–1801 Ottoman Empire. Knight First Class and Knight Second Class. Awarded to senior British officers during the Napoleonic wars.
19 May 1802 1914–1918
1944
France. Awarded to surviving United Kingdom citizens who participated on French soil in the Great War (1914–18),[49] or in the French liberation campaigns (1944).[50]

Foreign decorations

Worn after all foreign orders.

Foreign campaign and commemorative medals

Worn after all foreign decorations.

Emblem Description EstablishedEligibility Period Remarks
21 February 1856[51] 1854–1856[52] Ottoman Empire
1882–1891 Khedivate of Egypt. Bronze star. Issued to all who were awarded the Egypt Medal.
1896–1899 Khedivate of Egypt.
1910 Khedivate of Egypt.
1963 23 May 1965 – 30 June 1976Sultanate of Oman. Issued with clasp Dhofar where applicable. Seconded forces only.
1970 23 July 1970 Sultanate of Oman. Seconded forces only.
1979 1 July 1976 – 17 November 1985 Sultanate of Oman. Seconded forces only.
1976 23 May 1965 – 2 December 1975 Seconded forces only. Referred to in JSP761 as the 'Muscat Victory Medal (As Sumood)'.
1985 1941–1945 USSR. For Arctic convoy service. Also known as the Russian Convoy Medal 1941–1945 40th Anniversary Medal.[53]
2000 18 November 2000 Sultanate of Oman. Seconded forces only.
2005 18 November 2005 Sultanate of Oman. Seconded forces only.
40th Renaissance Medal201018 November 2010Sultanate of Oman. Seconded forces only.
45th Renaissance Medal201518 November 2015Sultanate of Oman. Seconded forces only.

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.[41] [42]

Emblem Description Eligibility Period Remarks
17 January 1991 – 28 February 1991 Saudi Arabia Established 1991
2 August 1990 – 31 August 1993 Kuwait Established 1994
26 October 2001 – present Issued with clasp Article 5.
16 May 2002 – present Issued with clasp Article 5.
14 June 2003 – 10 December 2003 Issued with clasp Artemis for service in the Congo.
8 December 2008 – present Issued with clasp EUNAVFOR ATALANTA for service in counter-piracy operations.

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.[42]

Emblem Description Eligibility Period Remarks
8 October 2005 – 1 February 2006 Issued with clasp Pakistan.
1 June 2003 – present[54] Issued with clasp ISAF.
18 August 2004 – present Issued with clasp NTM-Iraq.
13 July 2005 – present Issued with clasp AMIS.

Devices

Emblem Description Remarks
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 riband 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.
A bar is worn on the riband 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.
Worn on the riband 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. Clasps 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

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Guidance on the Order of Wear
  2. Book: Howard N Cole.. Coronation and Royal Commemorative Medals.. 3. Published J. B. Hayward & Son, London. 1977.
  3. London Gazette, "Dates for the Introduction of Medals", p. 5.
  4. London Gazette, "Dates for the Introduction of Medals", p. 3.
  5. , Subjoined Statutes of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.
  6. Duckers, Peter, British Orders and Decorations, pp. 21–24.
  7. Martin, Stanley, The Order of Merit, p. 31.
  8. , Statutes of the Order of the British Empire.
  9. Duckers, Peter, British Orders and Decorations, pp. 30–32.
  10. London Gazette, "Dates for the Introduction of Medals", p. 2.
  11. , DSO Awards for the Battle of Ginnis and Third Anglo-Burmese War
  12. London Gazette, "Dates for the Introduction of Medals", p. 4.
  13. London Gazette, "Dates for the Introduction of Medals", p. 1.
  14. http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37252/pages/4443 Royal Warrant for the Burma Gallantry Medal
  15. Book: Steward, W. Augustus. War Medals and Their History. 1915. Stanley Paul and Company. 978-1-4086-9712-2. 9–17. 31 August 2010. London. Google Books. 459070961.
  16. Book: Steward, W. Augustus. War Medals and Their History. 1915. Stanley Paul and Company. 978-1-4086-9712-2. 25–26. 31 August 2010. London. Google Books. 459070961.
  17. Book: Joslin, Litherland and Simpkin.. British Battles and Medals.. 101. Published Spink, London. 1988.
  18. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/coins/collection/watson/page411.html Gwailor Campaign Star (Maharajpoor)
  19. http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/warrants/c1warrant.html Royal Warrant – New Zealand War Service Medal
  20. Web site: 'An enduring symbol of gratitude': Thousands who took part in UK's nuclear test programme to receive medal . Robinson, James . 21 November 2022 . Sky News . 28 July 2023 .
  21. Ministry of Defence, JSP761, Chapter 8, Annex A, para 3, 'General Service Medal 1962'
  22. Ministry of Defence, JSP761, Chapter 12, Annex B, 'Wearing of Orders, Decorations and Medals by Service Personnel'
  23. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/56878/supplement/3353 The Zimbabwean Independence Medal is not mentioned in the official British order of wear.
  24. Book: John Mussell . Medal Yearbook 2013 . 2013 . Token Publishing . Honiton, Devon . 978-1908828002 . 393 .
  25. Ministry of Defence, JSP761, Chapter 8, Annex A, para 1, 'Medals for Individual Campaigns or Operations'
  26. https://www.gov.uk/medals-campaigns-descriptions-and-eligibility Medals: campaigns, descriptions and eligibility
  27. Ministry of Defence, JSP761, Chapter 8, Annex A, para 2, 'Operational Service Medal'
  28. Web site: The Ebola Medal for Service in West Africa . June 2015 . gov.uk . HMSO . 12 June 2015 .
  29. Web site: Ebola medal for over 3000 heroes . . 11 June 2015 . gov.uk . HM Government . 12 June 2015 .
  30. Web site: Defence Secretary awards new medal to 46 troops . 12 June 2016 . Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) . 12 June 2016 .
  31. Web site: Armed Forces personnel from Plymouth among first to receive new medals . Channon . Max . 11 June 2016 . Plymouth Herald . 12 June 2016 .
  32. Web site: New British Humanitarian Medal to honour UK disaster rescuers . . 23 July 2023 . BBC News . BBC . 23 July 2023 .
  33. Web site: Operational medals is broadened with the new Wider Service Medal . . 26 March 2024 . UK Government . 28 March 2024 .
  34. Book: Howard N Cole.. Coronation and Royal Commemorative Medals.. 1, ribbon chart. Published J. B. Hayward & Son, London. 1977.
  35. Web site: Extra Bank Holiday to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
  36. News: Queen's Platinum Jubilee to include extra bank holiday. BBC News. 12 November 2020. 2020-11-12. en.
  37. Web site: Extra Bank Holiday to mark The Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022. 2020-11-12. GOV.UK. en.
  38. Web site: Archived copy . 29 August 2010 . 3 December 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081203220533/http://www.remuseum.org.uk/articles/medal_Aug07.pdf . dead .
  39. Ministry of Defence, JSP761, Chapter 8, Annex A, para 4, 'United Nations'
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  54. http://www.nato.int/shape/about/natomedals.htm NATO Medals