Awards and decorations of the British Armed Forces

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	Postnom	Established	Eligibility Period [1]	Remarks
Level 1 Decorations
	Victoria Cross	VC	5 February 1856 [3]	Jan 1856 – present	For valour in combat.
	George Cross	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 [5] [6]	Prior to 2 January 1815, this grade was known as a Knight Companion of the Order of the Bath. [5] [6]
	Member of the Order of Merit (Military Division)	OM	23 June 1902 [7]	23 June 1902 – present [7]
	Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division)	GBE	24 August 1917 [8] [9]	4 June 1917 – present [8] [9]
Orders – Second Class
	Knight/Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath (Military Division)	KCB DCB	2 January 1815 [5] [6]	2 January 1815 – present [5] [6]
	Knight/Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division)	KBE DBE	24 August 1917 [8] [9]	4 June 1917 – present [8] [9]
Orders – Third Class
	Companion of the Order of the Bath (Military Division)	CB	2 January 1815 [5] [6]	1815 – present [5] [6]
	Commander of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division)	CBE	24 August 1917 [8] [9]	4 June 1917 – present [8] [9]
Level 2A Decoration (Order)
	Companion of the Distinguished Service 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. [10]
Orders – Fourth Class
	Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division)	OBE	24 August 1917 [8] [9]	4 June 1917 – present [8] [9]
Orders – Fifth Class
	Member of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division)	MBE	24 August 1917 [8] [9]	4 June 1917 – present [8] [9]
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
	Conspicuous Gallantry Cross	CGC	October 1993	1993 – present
	Royal Red Cross (Class I)	RRC	27 April 1883	1883 – present
Level 3A Decorations
	Distinguished Service Cross	DSC	June 1901	1901 – present	Awarded only to officers until 1993.
	Military Cross	MC	Dec 1914 [12]	1914 – present
	Distinguished Flying Cross	DFC	June 1918	1918 – present
	Air Force Cross	AFC	3 June 1918 [13]	1918 – present
	Royal Red Cross (Class II)	ARRC	27 April 1883	1917 – present
	Order of British India (First Class)	OBI		1837–1947
	Order of British India (Second Class)	OBI		1837–1947
Level 2B Medals
	Distinguished Conduct Medal	DCM	1854	1854–1993	Replaced in Oct 1993 by the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.
	Conspicuous Gallantry Medal	CGM		1874–1993
	Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying)	CGM	1874	1874–1993
	George Medal	GM	September 1940	1940 – present
	Royal West African Frontier Force Distinguished Conduct Medal		1907	1907–1942
	King's African Rifles Distinguished Conduct Medal		1907	1907–1942
Level 3B Medals
	Indian Distinguished Service Medal	IDSM	June 1907	1907–1947
	Distinguished Service Medal	DSM	October 1914	1914–1993	Equivalent awards for ORs to similarly named crosses for officers.
	Military Medal	MM	25 March 1916	1916–1993
	Distinguished Flying Medal	DFM	June 1918	1918–1993
	Air Force Medal	AFM	3 June 1918	1918–1993
	Sea Gallantry Medal	SGM	10 August 1854	1854 – present
	Burma Gallantry Medal	BGM	10 May 1940 [14]	1940–1948
	King's Gallantry Medal	KGM	20 June 1974	1974 – present
	British Empire Medal (Military Division)	BEM	24 August 1917 [8] [9]	4 June 1917 [8] – 1993 [9] 2012–present
	King's Volunteer Reserves Medal	KVRM	1999	1999 – present
Level 4 Commendations
	Mentioned in Dispatches	Nil	1919	1914 – present	Insignia attached to appropriate campaign medal; if no campaign medal awarded, insignia attached after any medal ribbons
	King's/Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct	Nil	1943	1939–1994
	King's/Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air	Nil	1942	1939–1994
	King's Commendation for Bravery	Nil	1994	1994 – present
	King's Commendation for Bravery in the Air	Nil	1994	1994 – present
	King's Commendation for Valuable Service	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	Monghyr Mutiny Medal	1766	1766 [15]	HEIC Issue. Awarded to Native officers who helped quell a mutiny among European troops.
Yellow Cord	Deccan Medal	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. [15]
Yellow Cord	Mysore Medal	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. [15]
19th Century Campaign Medals
	Seringapatam Medal	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. [15]
Yellow Cord	Medal for Egypt	31 July 1802	8 March – 31 August 1801	HEIC Issue. Awarded in gold to senior officers, and silver to all others eligible. [15]
	Army Gold Medal	1806	1808–1814	Issued to senior officers with battle/action clasps where appropriate. [16]
Yellow Cord	Capture of Ceylon Medal	15 May 1807	1795–1796	HEIC Issue. Awarded in gold to 'native' officers, and silver to 'native' non-commissioned officers and soldiers. [15]
	Army Gold Cross	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 France	1811	1809-1810	HEIC Issue. Awarded in gold to native officers, and silver to native non-commissioned officers and soldiers.
Yellow Cord	Java Medal	1812	1811	HEIC Issue. Awarded in gold to more senior native officers, and silver to native non-commissioned officers and soldiers.
	Waterloo Medal	1816	16 – 18 June 1815
	Nepal Medal	1816	1814-1816	HEIC Issue. Awarded to native officers and to selected native non-commissioned officers and soldiers.
	Ceylon Medal	1819	1818	HEIC Issue. Awarded to selected native and European non-commissioned officers and soldiers.
	Burma Medal	1826	1824–1826	HEIC Issue. Awarded in gold to native officers and silver to native non-commissioned officers and soldiers. [17]
Yellow Cord	Coorg Medal	1837	1837	HEIC Issue. Awarded to selected members of local forces.
	Ghuznee Medal	1839	21 – 23 July 1839	HEIC Issue.
	Candahar, Ghuznee, Cabul Medal	1842	1839–1842	HEIC Issue.
	Jellalabad Medals	1842	November 1841 – 16 April 1842	HEIC Issue.
	Medal for the Defence of Kelat-I-Ghilzie	1842	February – May 1842	HEIC Issue.
	China War Medal (1842)	1843	5 July 1840 – 29 August 1842	Issued with clasps for Second China War where appropriate.
	Scinde Medal	22 September 1843	1842–1843	HEIC Issue. Issued in one of three types: "Meeanee 1843", "Hyderabad 1843" and "Meeanee/Hyderabad 1843".
	Gwalior Star	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]
	Maharajpoor Star	1843	29 December 1843	HEIC Issue.
	Punniar Star	1843	29 December 1843	HEIC Issue.
	Sutlej Medal	17 April 1846	7 September 1845 – 14 March 1849	HEIC Issue. Issued with battle/action clasps where appropriate.
	Naval General Service Medal	1847	1793–1840	Always issued with battle/action clasps.
	Military General Service Medal	1 June 1847	1793–1814	Always issued with battle/action clasps.
	Punjab Medal	2 April 1849	7 September 1848 – 14 March 1849	HEIC Issue. Issued with battle/action clasps where appropriate.
	Army of India Medal	21 March 1851	1803–1826	HEIC Issue. Always issued with battle/action clasps.
	India General Service Medal (1854)	11 March 1854	1852–1895	Issued in silver. From 1885, issued in bronze to non-enlisted support personnel. Always issued with battle/action clasps.
	South Africa Medal (1854)	1854	1834–1835 1846–1847 1850–1853
	Crimean War Medal	15 Dec 1854	1854–1856	Issued with battle/action clasps where appropriate.
	Baltic Medal	23 April 1856	1854–1855
	Indian Mutiny Medal	1858	1857–1858	Issued with battle/action clasps where appropriate.
	Second China War Medal	6 March 1861	1856–1860	Issued with battle/action clasps where appropriate.
	New Zealand War Medal	1869	1845–1848 1860–1866
	Abyssinian War Medal	1869	October 1867 – April 1868
	Canada General Service Medal	1899	1866–1870
	Ashantee Medal	June 1874	1873–1874
	South Africa Medal (1880)	Aug 1880	1877–1879	Issued with campaign clasp where appropriate.
	Afghanistan Medal	1881	1878–1880
	Kabul to Kandahar Star	March 1881	1880
	Egypt Medal	Oct 1882	1882–1889
	Royal Niger Company’s Medal	1899	1886–1897	Issued by the Royal Niger Company for minor military operations.
	East and West Africa Medal	1892	13 November 1887 – 8 May 1900
	Central Africa Medal	1895	1891–1894	Issued in silver to combatants and in bronze to support personnel.
	India General Service Medal (1895)	1 April 1896	3 March 1895 – 10 March 1902	Always issued with appropriate campaign clasps.
	Ashanti Star	1896	1895–1896
	Queen's Sudan Medal	1899	1896–1898
	East and Central Africa Medal	1899	20 July 1897 – 2 May 1899	Always issued with appropriate campaign clasps.
	Queen's South Africa Medal	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.
	Queen's Mediterranean Medal	1902	1899–1902
20th Century Campaign Medals
Pre–World War
	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.
	Ashanti Medal	1901	March – December 1901
	King's South Africa Medal	1902	1 January – 1 June 1902	Issued with clasps South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902 where appropriate.
	Africa General Service Medal	1902	1900 – 1956
	Transport Medal	1903	1899 – 1902	For South Africa or China.
	Tibet Medal	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.
	India General Service Medal (1909)	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
	1914 Star	Apr 1917	5 August – 22 November 1914	Issued with clasp 5 Aug – 22 November 1914 where appropriate.
	1914-15 Star	Dec 1918	5 August 1914 – 31 December 1915
	British War Medal	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.
	Victory Medal	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
	Territorial Force War Medal	Apr 1920	4 August 1914 – 11 November 1918
	Mercantile Marine War Medal	1 September 1919	4 August 1914 – 11 November 1918
Inter-World War
	Naval General Service Medal (1915)	6 August 1915	1909 – 23 December 1962	Always issued with appropriate campaign clasps.
	General Service Medal (1918)	19 January 1923	12 November 1918 – 23 December 1962	Always issued with appropriate campaign clasps.
	India General Service Medal (1936)	3 August 1938	1936 – 1939	Always issued with appropriate campaign clasps. Issued with MID oak leaf where appropriate.
World War II
	1939–45 Star	July 1943	3 September 1939 – 2 September 1945	Issued with clasps Battle of Britain or Bomber Command where appropriate.
	Atlantic Star	May 1945	3 September 1939 – 8 May 1945	Issued with clasps Air Crew Europe or France and Germany where appropriate.
	Arctic Star	December 2012	3 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.
	Air Crew Europe Star	May 1945	3 September 1939 – 5 June 1944	Issued with clasps Atlantic or France and Germany where appropriate.
	Africa Star	July 1943	10 June 1940 – 12 May 1943	Issued with clasps 8th Army or 1st Army or North Africa 1942 – 43 where appropriate.
	Pacific Star	1945	8 December 1941 – 2 September 1945	Issued with clasp Burma where appropriate.
	Burma Star	1945	11 December 1941 – 2 September 1945	Issued with clasp Pacific where appropriate.
	Italy Star	May 1945	11 June 1943 – 8 May 1945
	France and Germany Star	May 1945	6 June 1944 – 8 May 1945	Issued with clasp Atlantic where appropriate.
	Defence Medal	16 August 1945	3 September 1939 – 2 September 1945	Issued with KCBC silver oak leaf where appropriate.
	War Medal 1939–1945	16 August 1945	3 September 1939 – 2 September 1945	Issued with MID bronze oak leaf or KCBC silver oak leaf where appropriate.
	India Service Medal	6 June 1946	3 September 1939 – 2 September 1945
	Canadian Volunteer Service Medal	22 October 1943	3 September 1939 – 1 March 1947	Issued with Maple Leaf, Dieppe , Hong Kong or Bomber Command clasps where appropriate.
	Africa Service Medal	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.
	Australia Service Medal	Nov 1949	3 September 1939 – 2 September 1945
	New Zealand War Service Medal	30 Sept 1948 [19]	3 September 1939 – 2 September 1945
	Southern Rhodesia Medal for War Service	1948	1939 – 1945
	Newfoundland Volunteer War Service Medal	17 Dec 1993	3 September 1939 – 2 September 1945
Post–World War
	Korea Medal	Jul 1951	1 July 1950 – 27 July 1953
	Nuclear Test Medal	21 November 2022	1952–1967	Issued for service as part of the UK's nuclear weapons testing programmes [20]
	General Service Medal (1962)	6 October 1964	24 December 1962 – 31 July 2007 [21]	Always issued with appropriate campaign clasps. Replaced 1918 GSM.
	Rhodesia Medal	1980	1 December 1979 – 20 March 1980 [22]	Recipients also received the Zimbabwean Independence Medal, although this is not authorised for wear [23] [24]
	South Atlantic Medal	1982	2 April – 12 July 1982 [25]	Issued with Rosette for service between 35° and 60° South. [25]
			2 April – 21 October 1982 [26]	Issued without Rosette for service between 7° and 60° South
	Gulf Medal	1992	2 August 1990 – 7 March 1991 [25]	Issued with clasp August 1990 or 6 Jan to 28 February 1991 where appropriate. [25]
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.
	OSM Sierra Leone	2002	5 May 2000 – 31 July 2002 [27]	Issued with Rosette for Op BARRAS or Op MAIDENLY where appropriate. [27]
	OSM Afghanistan	2003	11 September 2001 – present [27]	Issued with Afghanistan or Operation Pitting clasps where appropriate. [27]
	OSM Democratic Republic of Congo	2005	14 June 2003 – 10 September 2003 [27]	Always issued with Clasp DROC. [27]
	Iraq Medal	23 February 2004	20 January 2003 – 22 May 2011 [25]	Issued with clasp 19 Mar to 28 April 2003 where appropriate. [25]
	Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal	26 June 2004	19 March 2003 – 2013
	Civilian Service Medal (Afghanistan)	6 April 2011	9 November 2001 – present
	Ebola Medal for Service in West Africa	11 June 2015	23 March 2014 – 29 March 2016 [28]	First UK campaign medal issued for response to humanitarian crisis. [29]
	General Service Medal (2008)	2015	January 2008 – present [30]	New GSM Medal for recipients that do not qualify for other medals. [31] Always issued with appropriate clasps.
	OSM Iraq and Syria	2018	26 September 2014 – present	Issued with Clasp Iraq and Syria for service in area of operations.
	Humanitarian Medal	2023	TBC	General medal issued for humanitarian service. [32] Always issued with appropriate clasps
	Wider Service Medal	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
	Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Medal	1897	20 June 1897	Issued in Gold, Silver or Bronze
	King Edward VII Coronation Medal	1902	26 June 1902	Issued in Silver or Bronze
	King Edward VII Delhi Durbar Medal	1903	January 1903	Issued in Gold or Silver
	King George V Coronation Medal	1911	23 June 1911	Civil/Military award
	King George V Delhi Durbar Medal	1911	December 1911	Issued in Gold or Silver
	King George V Silver Jubilee Medal	1935	6 May 1935
	King George VI Coronation Medal	1937	12 May 1937
	Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal	1953	2 June 1953
	Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal	1977	6 February 1977
	Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal	2002	6 February 2002
	Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal	2012	6 February 2012
	Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal	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]
	King Charles III Coronation Medal	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
	Accumulated Campaign Service Medal	–	1994	1969–2011	Replaced with ACSM 11
		–	2011	2008 –	Qualifying period reduced from 36 to 24 months
Long Service and Good Conduct
	Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal	–		1830–1930	Army
	Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (Military)	–		1930 – present	Army
	Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (1830)	–		1830–1847	Navy
	Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (1848)	–		1848 – present	Navy
Meritorious Service (resumed)
	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	Air Force
	Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (Ulster Defence Regiment)	–
	Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Medal	–	1909	1919–1932
	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
	Volunteer Officers' Decoration	VD		1892–1930
	Volunteer Long Service Medal	–		1894–1930	HAC ribbon
	Volunteer Officers' Decoration for India and the Colonies	VD		1894–1899
	Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies	–		1896–1930
	Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration	VD			1921–1927
	Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal	–
Gunnery
	Naval Good Shooting Medal	–	1903	1903–14
Part Time Forces Long Service (resumed) [38]
	Militia Long Service Medal	–	1904	1904–1930
	Imperial Yeomanry Long Service Medal	–	1904	1904–1908
	Territorial Decoration	TD	1908	1908–1999
	Territorial Decoration (HAC)	TD	1908	1908–1999
	Ceylon Armed Services Long Service Medal	–	1968	1968–1972
	Efficiency Decoration	TD/ED		1930–
	Efficiency Decoration (HAC)	TD		1930–1999
	Efficiency Decoration (T&AVR)	TD		1967–1999
	Territorial Force Efficiency Medal	–	1908	1908–1921
	Territorial Efficiency Medal	–	1921	1921–1930
	Efficiency Medal	–		1930–1999
	Army Emergency Reserve Efficiency Medal	–	1953	1953–1967
	Efficiency Medal (Territorial & Volunteer Reserve)	–		1930–1999
	Efficiency Medal (HAC)	–		1930–1999
	Special Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal	–	1908	1908–1930
	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 Long Service Medal	–
	Air Efficiency Award	AE		1942–1999	Only award to officers entitles use of postnominal.
	Volunteer Reserves Service Medal	VR		1999 – present
	Volunteer Reserves Service Medal (HAC)	VR		1999 – present
	Ulster Defence Regiment Medal	UD			Only award to officers entitles use of postnominal.
	Northern Ireland Home Service Medal	–
Marksmanship
	Queen's Medal for Champion Shots of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines	–	1966	1966–
	Queen's Medal for Champion Shots of the New Zealand Naval Forces	–	1958	1955–
	Queen's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces	–	1869	1870–82 1923–
	Queen's Medal for Champion Shots of the Air Forces	–	1953	1953–
Part Time Forces Long Service (resumed)
	Cadet Forces Medal	–	February 1950	1950 – present
	Coastguard Auxiliary Service Long Service Medal	–
	Special Constabulary Long Service Medal	–
	Canadian Forces' Decoration	CD		1949 – present
	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	–	1961	1961–
	South African Medal for War Services	–	1945	1939–1946

National independence medals

Emblem	Description	Estab.	Eligibility Period	Remarks
	Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal	1910
	Indian Independence Medal	1947
	Pakistan Medal	1949
	Ceylon Armed Services Inauguration Medal	1955	1949–51
	Sierra Leone Independence Medal	1961
	Jamaica Independence Medal	1962
	Nigerian Independence Medal	1960
	Uganda Independence Medal	1962
	Malawi Independence Medal	1964
	Fiji Independence Medal	1970
	Papua New Guinea Independence Medal	1975
	Solomon Islands Independence Medal	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
	United Nations Service Medal for Korea	27 June 1950 – 27 July 1955	Established 12 December 1950
	United Nations Service Medal for ONUC	10 July 1960 – 30 June 1964 [39]
	United Nations Service Medal for UNFICYP	27 March 1964 – present [39]
	United Nations Service Medal for UNTAG	1 April 1989 – 31 March 1990 [39]
	United Nations Special Service Medal	1989–1990 [40] 3 Jul 1992 – 12 January 1996 [40] Apr 1991 – present [40]	For: Peshawar UNOCHA [40] Sarajevo Airlift [40] Iraq UNSCOM [40]
	United Nations Service Medal for UNIKOM	1 April 1991 – 6 October 2003 [39]
	United Nations Service Medal for MINURSO	1 April 1991 – present [39]
	European Community Monitor Mission Medal	25 July 1991 – 30 June 1992 [41]	For service in the Former Yugoslavia. [41]
	United Nations Service Medal for UNAMIC	1 October 1991 – 31 March 1992 [39]
	United Nations Service Medal for UNPROFOR	1 March 1992 – 31 December 1995 [39]
	United Nations Service Medal for UNTAC	1 April 1992 – 30 September 1993 [39]
	NATO Former Republic of Yugoslavia Medal	1 July 1992 – 31 December 2002 [42]	Issued with clasp Former Yugoslavia. [42]
	Western European Union Mission Service Medal	1 July 1992 – 31 December 1996 [41]	For Service in the Former Yugoslavia. [41]
	United Nations Service Medal for UNOMIG	23 August 1993 – present [39]
	United Nations Service Medal for UNAMIR	1 October 1993 – 31 March 1996 [39]
	United Nations Service Medal for UNAVEM III	1 February 1995 – 1 June 1997 [39]
	United Nations Service Medal for UNTAES	Jan 1996 – Jan 1998 [39]
	United Nations Service Medal for UNOMSIL	1 June 1998 – 30 September 1999 [39]
	NATO Kosovo Medal	13 October 1998 – 31 December 2002 [42]	Issued with clasp Kosovo. [42]
	United Nations Service Medal for UNAMET	7 June 1999 – 24 October 1999 [39]
	United Nations Service Medal for UNMIK	10 June 1999 – present [39]
	United Nations Service Medal for UNAMSIL	1 October 1999 – present [39]
	United Nations Service Medal for UNTAET	25 October 1999 – present [39]
	United Nations Service Medal for MONUC	30 November 1999 – present [39]
	United Nations Service Medal for UNMEE	15 September 2000 – present [39]
	NATO Macedonia Medal	1 June 2001 – 31 December 2002 [42]
	NATO Non-Article 5 Medal for the Balkans	1 January 2003 – 20 December 2004 [42] 1 Jan 2003 – 29 Mar 2010 [42] 1 Jan 2003 – 31 March 2003 [42]	Issued with clasp Non Article 5 for: Balkans [42] Kosovo [42] Macedonia [42]
	NATO Non-Article 5 medal for the Balkans	29 Mar 2010 – present [39]
	European Security and Defence Policy Service Medal – Op Althea	2 Dec 2004 – present [41]	Issued with clasp Althea. [41]
	NATO Non-Article 5 Medal for Operation Unified Protector	23 Mar 2011 – 31 Oct 2011 [42]	Issued with clasp OUP-LIBYA/LIBYE. [42]
	Common Security and Defence Policy Service Medal – EUFOR RCA	30 June 2014 – 30 May 2015 [41]	Issued with clasp EUFOR RCA. [41]
	Multinational Force and Observers Medal	March 1982 - present	First awarded in 2017; retrospective for service from 1982 onwards [43] Silver numerals on ribbon indicate additional periods of service
	United Nations Service medal for UNMISS	2011–present
	NATO Meritorious Service Medal	2003 – present [42]	Issued with clasp Meritorious. [42]

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	Established	Eligibility Period	Remarks
	Brunei General Service Medal		12 August 1966 – present [44]	Sultanate of Brunei. Seconded forces only. [44]
	Malaya Active Service Medal		31 August 1957 – 15 September 1963 [44]	Malaysia. Seconded forces only. [44]
	Pingat Jasa Malaysia	Malaysia 2004	31 August 1957 – 31 December 1966	Permission to wear as at 6 Nov 11.
	Kenya Campaign Medal		12 December 1963 – 30 November 1967 [44]	Kenya. Seconded forces only. [44]
	Campaign Medal	1959 [45] [46]	23 May 1965 – 30 September 1976 [44]	Oman. Seconded forces only. Referred to in JSP761 as Muscat/Oman Dhofar Campaign Medal. [44]
	Malaysia General Service Medal		11 August 1966 – 31 December 1989 [44]	Malaysia. Seconded forces only. [44]
	Unitas Medal		1 June 1994 – 26 April 2003 [44]	Republic of South Africa. BMATT personnel only. [44]
	International Force East Timor Medal	25 March 2000 [47]	16 September 1999 – 10 April 2000 [44]	Australia [44]
	Malta George Cross Fiftieth Anniversary Medal	1992 [48]	10 June 1940 – 8 September 1943 [48]	Malta. Not able to be worn whilst in Crown Service [49]

Foreign orders

Worn after all Commonwealth awards.

Emblem	Description	Established	Eligibility Period	Remarks
	Imperial Order of the Crescent	1799	1799–1801	Ottoman Empire. Knight First Class and Knight Second Class. Awarded to senior British officers during the Napoleonic wars. [15]
	Chevalier Légion d'Honneur	19 May 1802	1914–1918 1944	France. Awarded to surviving United Kingdom citizens who participated on French soil in the Great War (1914–18), [50] or in the French liberation campaigns (1944). [51]

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 February 1856 [52]	1854–1856 [53]	Ottoman Empire
	Khedive's Star		1882–1891	Khedivate of Egypt. Bronze star. Issued to all who were awarded the Egypt Medal.
	Khedive's Sudan Medal (1897)		1896–1899	Khedivate of Egypt.
	Khedive's Sudan Medal (1910)		1910	Khedivate of Egypt.
	General Service Medal	1963 [45] [46]	23 May 1965 – 30 June 1976 [44]	Sultanate of Oman. Issued with clasp Dhofar where applicable. Seconded forces only. [44]
	The Accession Medal	1970 [45] [46]	23 July 1970 [44]	Sultanate of Oman. Seconded forces only. [44]
	The Peace Medal	1979 [46]	1 July 1976 – 17 November 1985 [44]	Sultanate of Oman. Seconded forces only. [44]
	Endurance Medal (Al-Sumood)	1976 [45] [46]	23 May 1965 – 2 December 1975 [44]	Seconded forces only. Referred to in JSP761 as the 'Muscat Victory Medal (As Sumood)'. [44]
	Medal for the 40th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War	1985 [54]	1941–1945	USSR. For Arctic convoy service. Also known as the Russian Convoy Medal 1941–1945 40th Anniversary Medal. [55]
	30th Renaissance Medal	2000 [46]	18 November 2000 [44]	Sultanate of Oman. Seconded forces only. [44]
	35th Renaissance Medal	2005 [46]	18 November 2005 [22]	Sultanate of Oman. Seconded forces only. [22]
	40th Renaissance Medal	2010	18 November 2010	Sultanate of Oman. Seconded forces only.
	45th Renaissance Medal	2015	18 November 2015	Sultanate 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
	Kuwait Liberation Medal	17 January 1991 – 28 February 1991	Saudi Arabia Established 1991
	Kuwait Liberation Medal	2 August 1990 – 31 August 1993	Kuwait Established 1994
	NATO Article 5 Medal for Service on Op ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR	26 October 2001 – present [42]	Issued with clasp Article 5. [42]
	NATO Article 5 Medal for Service on Op EAGLE ASSIST	16 May 2002 – present [42]	Issued with clasp Article 5. [42]
	European Security and Defence Policy Service Medal – Op Artemis	14 June 2003 – 10 December 2003 [41]	Issued with clasp Artemis for service in the Congo. [41]
	Common Security and Defence Policy Service Medal – Op Atalanta	8 December 2008 – present [41]	Issued with clasp EUNAVFOR ATALANTA for service in counter-piracy operations. [41]

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
	NATO Non-Article 5 Medal for Pakistan Earthquake Service	8 October 2005 – 1 February 2006 [42]	Issued with clasp Pakistan. [42]
	NATO Non-Article 5 Medal for Service with ISAF	1 June 2003 – present [42] [56]	Issued with clasp ISAF. [42]
	NATO Non-Article 5 Medal for NATO Training Mission (Iraq)	18 August 2004 – present [42]	Issued with clasp NTM-Iraq. [42]
	NATO Non-Article 5 Medal for AMIS	13 July 2005 – present [42]	Issued with clasp AMIS. [42]

Devices

Emblem	Description	Remarks
	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 riband of the campaign medal (when worn with full or miniature medals) to indicate service in a specified zone.
Image of silver oak leaves used on ribbon bars	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. [57]
	Medal bar	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.[ citation needed ]
	Medal clasp	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

• Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom
• British campaign medals
• List of military decorations
• State decoration

References

Footnotes

1. "No. 62529". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 January 2019. p. 326. Guidance on the Order of Wear
2. Howard N Cole. Coronation and Royal Commemorative Medals. p. 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. "No. 20737". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 May 1847. pp. 1947–1957., 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. "No. 30250". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 24 August 1917. pp. 7791–7999., 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. "No. 25650". The London Gazette (Supplement). 26 November 1886. pp. 5975–5976., 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. Royal Warrant for the Burma Gallantry Medal, London Gazette, 4 September 1945, date accessed 6 April 2011.
15. Steward, W. Augustus (1915). War Medals and Their History (Google Books). London: Stanley Paul and Company. pp. 9–17. ISBN   978-1-4086-9712-2. OCLC   459070961 . Retrieved 31 August 2010.
16. Steward, W. Augustus (1915). War Medals and Their History (Google Books). London: Stanley Paul and Company. pp. 25–26. ISBN   978-1-4086-9712-2. OCLC   459070961 . Retrieved 31 August 2010.
17. Joslin, Litherland and Simpkin. British Battles and Medals. p. 101. Published Spink, London. 1988.
18. Gwailor Campaign Star (Maharajpoor), The Fitzwilliam Museum, accessed 3 January 2011.
19. Royal Warrant – New Zealand War Service Medal (accessed 6 June 2010)
20. Robinson, James (21 November 2022). "'An enduring symbol of gratitude': Thousands who took part in UK's nuclear test programme to receive medal". Sky News. Retrieved 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. The Zimbabwean Independence Medal is not mentioned in the official British order of wear.
24. John Mussell, ed. (2013). Medal Yearbook 2013. Honiton, Devon: Token Publishing. p. 393. ISBN   978-1908828002.
25. Ministry of Defence, JSP761, Chapter 8, Annex A, para 1, 'Medals for Individual Campaigns or Operations'
26. Medals: campaigns, descriptions and eligibility, UK Government
27. Ministry of Defence, JSP761, Chapter 8, Annex A, para 2, 'Operational Service Medal'
28. "The Ebola Medal for Service in West Africa" (PDF). gov.uk. HMSO. June 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
29. "Ebola medal for over 3000 heroes". gov.uk. HM Government. 11 June 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
30. "Defence Secretary awards new medal to 46 troops". Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom). 12 June 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
31. Channon, Max (11 June 2016). "Armed Forces personnel from Plymouth among first to receive new medals". Plymouth Herald. Retrieved 12 June 2016.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
32. "New British Humanitarian Medal to honour UK disaster rescuers". BBC News. BBC. 23 July 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
33. "Operational medals is broadened with the new Wider Service Medal". UK Government. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
34. Howard N Cole. Coronation and Royal Commemorative Medals. p. 1, ribbon chart. Published J. B. Hayward & Son, London. 1977.
35. "Extra Bank Holiday to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022".
36. "Queen's Platinum Jubilee to include extra bank holiday". BBC News. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
37. "Extra Bank Holiday to mark The Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022". GOV.UK. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
38. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 December 2008. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
39. Ministry of Defence, JSP761, Chapter 8, Annex A, para 4, 'United Nations'
40. Ministry of Defence, JSP761, Chapter 8, Annex A, para 5, 'United Nations Special Service Medal'
41. Ministry of Defence, JSP761, Chapter 8, Annex A, para 9, 'European and Other International'
42. Ministry of Defence, JSP761, Chapter 8, Annex A, para 6, 'NATO'
43. London Gazette 11 January 2019 Supplement:62529 Page:328
44. Ministry of Defence, JSP761, Chapter 8, Annex A, para 8, 'Foreign and Commonwealth'
45. "Arab Medals – Oman". gmic.co.uk. Gentlemen's Military Interest Club. 6 February 2007. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
46. Barrio, Antonio Prieto. "Ribbon Collection – Oman" (gif). Colecciones Militares (in English and Arabic).
47. Commonwealth of Australia Gazette S159 International Forces East Timor Medal Letters Patent and Regulations (PDF). Canberra: AusInfo. 30 March 2000. ISBN   978-0-642-43441-8 . Retrieved 15 June 2010.
48. Rooker, R.J. "152 Hyderabad F Squadron Battle Honours and Medals". 152hyderabad.co.uk/]. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
49. "No. 52894". The London Gazette . 15 April 1992. p. 6728.
50. "The London Gazette: 15 October 1998. Issue: 55282. Notice ID:L-55282-24SI".
51. "MOD press release: 25 July 2014. Legion d'Honneur awarded to surviving veterans of 1944 French campaigns".
52. Hayward, John. "Numismatic Notes Part 7: After the War was Over – Turkish Crimea Medal 1856–1862". spink.com]. London: Spink. Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2010. Date based on offer to British forces by the Sultan of Turkey.
53. Duckers, Peter, British Campaign Medals 1815–1914, p. 17.
54. "No. 53538". The London Gazette . 4 January 1994. pp. 1–2.
55. "The Russian Convoy Medal". veterans-uk.info. London: Service Personnel and Veterans Agency. Archived from the original on 13 January 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
56. NATO Medals Archived 16 June 2006 at the Wayback Machine (accessed 6 June 2010)
57. "No. 41285". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 January 1958. p. 365.

Bibliography

• Duckers, Peter (2008) [2000]. British Campaign Medals 1815–1914. Oxford: Shire Publications. ISBN   978-0-7478-0465-9. OCLC   44397385.
• —— (2008) [2001]. British Campaign Medals 1914–2005. Oxford: Shire Publications. ISBN   978-0-7478-0649-3. OCLC   72145103.
• —— (2010) [2001]. British Gallantry Awards 1815–2000. Oxford: Shire Publications. ISBN   978-0-7478-0516-8. OCLC   248128466.
• —— (2009) [2004]. British Orders and Decorations. Oxford: Shire Publications. ISBN   978-0-7478-0580-9. OCLC   55587484.
• —— (2006) [2005]. The Victoria Cross. Oxford: Shire Publications. ISBN   978-0-7478-0635-6. OCLC   61302377.
• Honours and Appointments Secretariat (c. 2004). Order of Wear (PDF). London: UK Honours and Appointments Secretariat. Archived from the original (Adobe Acrobat) on 15 October 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
• London Gazette (7 April 2009). Dates for the Introduction of Medals as shown by the Royal Warrants Published in the London Gazette (Microsoft Word). London: London Gazette . Retrieved 30 May 2010.
• Martin, Stanley (2007). The Order of Merit: One Hundred Years of Matchless Honour. New York: I.B. Tauris & Co. ISBN   978-1-86064-848-9. OCLC   50527777 . Retrieved 14 June 2010.
• Ministry of Defence (October 2016). JSP761 – Honours and Awards in the Armed Forces (Adobe Acrobat) (5th ed.). London: UK Ministry of Defence . Retrieved 12 March 2017.
• Tinson, Ashley R. (1995) [1977]. Orders, Decorations and Medals of the Sultanate of Oman. London: Spink. ISBN   0-907605-59-1. OCLC   5616224.

External links

• UK Ministry of Defence Medals Office
• UK Ministry of Defence Medals Office – British Armed Forces Medals: Decorations, campaign medals and other awards awarded 'On Her Majesty's Service'
• The UK Honours System
• Cabinet Office Ceremonial Secretariat website
• London Gazette website Archived 20 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine
• Crown Honours, Debretts, c. 2004, retrieved 23 May 2010
• Medals of the World – United Kingdom Medals
• War Medals and Their History Detailed historical information on British military and naval awards from the Spanish Armada to World War I