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Category: Great Britain

The Humanitarian Medal

The Humanitarian Medal is a newly established British honor designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated exceptional bravery and commitment in disaster response efforts. Announced in July 2023, this medal acknowledges the courageous actions of UK citizens who risk their lives to assist others during emergencies, both domestically and internationally.

Key Features of the Humanitarian Medal:

  • Purpose: To honor acts of bravery and selflessness by UK citizens in disaster situations, including natural disasters, humanitarian crises, and other emergencies.

  • Eligibility: Open to both civilians and members of the armed forces who have gone above and beyond in providing aid and relief during critical incidents.

The Humanitarian Medal Design

The medal features laurel wreaths, symbolizing triumph in overcoming crises, intertwined with a banner inscribed with “For humanitarian service.” The obverse showcases the Sovereign’s effigy.

The ribbon design represents the diverse routes and services involved in humanitarian efforts. A central white stripe symbolizes civilians and peace, flanked by four narrow stripes: red for humanitarian organizations, light blue for the NHS, and dark blue and purple for other services.

The Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct Medal

This medal was created in 1934 to recognize acts of bravery by civilians and armed forces members in non-combat situations.

The Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct, originally the King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct, recognized acts of bravery by civilians and armed forces members in non-combat situations, both in war and peace. Established by King George VI in 1939, it was discontinued in 1994 and replaced by the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery. It represented the lowest tier of bravery awards in the British honors system, alongside a mention in despatches, and did not confer post-nominal letters.

The commendation was created at the onset of World War II to address the lack of recognition for non-combat gallantry, especially among civilians and the Merchant Navy. Awards were published in the London Gazette and described simply as “Commendation for brave conduct” until 1945, when the title “King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct” was formalized. It allowed posthumous recognition, filling a gap left by other gallantry awards, which were typically not awarded posthumously except for the Victoria Cross and George Cross.

The Evolution of the Commendation

The practice of commendations originated during World War I, where it was primarily used to honor acts of bravery by Merchant Navy seamen. The system fell into disuse between the wars but was revived in 1939. After World War II, the commendation continued to recognize non-frontline bravery, often involving civil defense and public service. In 1952, it was renamed the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct following the death of King George VI. The award was officially replaced by the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in 1994.

Notable recipients ranged from firefighters and air raid wardens to Merchant Navy personnel and civilians who displayed courage in life-threatening situations, often in response to U-boat attacks, bombings, and other wartime emergencies. Recipients were listed in the London Gazette and received certificates, but no medal accompanied the commendation.

The Commendation for Brave Conduct Medal Design

Before 1943, recipients of the Commendation for Brave Conduct received only a certificate. In 1943, a gold and red plastic pin-backed badge, designed by George Kruger Gray 🔗, was introduced for civilian recipients. Measuring 38 mm by 20 mm, it featured an upright sword in a wreath with a crown and was intended for everyday civilian wear, often provided in pairs with a red box.

From 1946, the plastic badge was replaced by a silver metal laurel leaf for civilians, while armed forces personnel and merchant seamen received a bronze oak leaf insignia. Identical to the Mention in Despatches oak leaf, these devices were worn on the ribbon of the appropriate campaign medal—typically the Defence Medal for civilians and War Medal for servicemen—or directly on clothing if no medal had been awarded. For post-1945 campaigns, they could be worn on corresponding campaign medals.

The Royal Air Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

The Royal Air Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was instituted by King George V in 1919 and awarded to officers and airmen.

The Royal Air Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal is awarded to regular members of the Royal Air Force in recognition of their long service and exemplary conduct.

Instituted by King George V in 1919, following the establishment of the world’s first independent air force, the medal was initially awarded to non-commissioned officers and airmen. The criteria were later broadened to include officers who had served a minimum period in the ranks before being commissioned. Since 2016, all regular members of the RAF, including officers who have never served in the ranks, are eligible for this medal.

Originally, the medal was awarded after eighteen years of unblemished service, later reduced to fifteen years from December 1, 1977. An airman became eligible upon completing the requisite service period, provided there were no disqualifying offenses. Recommendations for the medal required a commanding officer’s endorsement and were awarded only to serving personnel. Before 1944, up to four years of service in the Royal Navy or British Army could count towards the RAF service requirement. During wartime or emergencies, the medal could be awarded for distinguished service without the usual time or conduct requirements.

The Royal Air Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Design

The silver medal is a 36-millimeter disk, with the obverse featuring the effigy of the reigning monarch.

The reverse displays the RAF eagle with outstretched wings, surmounted by the crown, and the inscription “FOR LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT.” The clasp features an eagle with outstretched wings and a crown, with a silver rosette on the ribbon bar denoting the award in undress uniform.

The ribbon is 32 millimeters wide with distinct bands of white, dark blue, and crimson.

More British Long Service and Good Conduct Decorations

The British military has instituted several Long Service and Good Conduct Decorations, each honoring the dedication and exemplary service of its personnel across different branches. Here are some other ones from different time periods:

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The Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Medal

The Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Medal was established in 1910 to supersede the several local versions of the Army one.

The Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Medal, also known as the Permanent Overseas Forces Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, was established in 1910 to recognize long service and good conduct among other ranks of the Permanent Forces of the Dominions and Colonies of the British Empire.

This medal replaced the various local versions of the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. Superseded in 1930 by the Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (Military), it continued the tradition of honoring exemplary service.

Commonwealth of Australia Version

The Commonwealth of Australia version of the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal emerged following Australia’s federation on 1 January 1901.

The five distinct medals for New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria were unified into a single version with King Edward VII’s effigy and the inscription “COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA” on the reverse.

These medals retained the same crimson ribbon, but with a distinctive 4-millimeter central band representing the Commonwealth. This version was part of the broader effort to standardize awards across the British Empire’s territories.

The Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Medal Design

The Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Medal is crafted in silver, with a diameter of 36 millimeters (1.42 inches) and a thickness of 3 millimeters (0.12 inches). It features a single-toe claw mounting, secured to the medal by a horizontal pin through its upper edge, and is supported by double-scroll claws on the rim. The medal is attached to a straight, swiveling suspension bar.

The initial version of the medal’s obverse showcases the effigy of King Edward VII in a Field Marshal’s uniform, facing left, with the inscription “EDWARDVS VII REX IMPERATOR” around the edge. Following the coronation of King George V on June 22, 1911, the obverse was updated to depict his effigy, also in a Field Marshal’s uniform and facing left, with the inscription “GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:” around the perimeter.

The reverse side of the medal is smooth with a raised rim. It features the inscription “PERMANENT FORCES OF THE EMPIRE BEYOND THE SEAS” around the edge, and “FOR LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT” in four lines at the center.

The medal is suspended from a ribbon that is 32 millimeters wide. The ribbon consists of an 11.5-millimeter wide crimson band and a 2.5-millimeter wide white band, repeated in reverse order and separated by a 4-millimeter wide dark blue band.

More British Long Service and Good Conduct Decorations

The British military has instituted several Long Service and Good Conduct Decorations, each honoring the dedication and exemplary service of its personnel across different branches. Here are some other ones from different time periods:

Find these medals online:

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The Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

This Army long service medal was instituted by King William IV in 1830 and remained in use for a hundred years, until 1930.

Instituted by King William IV in 1830, the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was awarded for long service and exemplary conduct. It remained in use until 1930, when it was replaced by the Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct.

On 31 May 1895, Queen Victoria authorized Dominion and Colonial governments to adopt various military medals, including the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, for their local military forces. Territories that utilized this authorization included Canada, Cape of Good Hope, India, Natal, New South Wales, New Zealand, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and, from 1901, the Commonwealth of Australia.

Originally awarded for 21 years (infantry) or 24 years (cavalry) of service, the qualifying period was reduced to 18 years in 1870.

The Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Design

Initially featuring a Trophy of Arms and the Royal Coat of Arms, the medal’s obverse changed with each monarch. The reverse consistently displayed “FOR LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT”.

Authorized in 1895 for Dominion and Colonial forces, these medals were similar but included specific territory names and unique ribbon colors. Made of silver, 36mm in diameter, the medal’s suspension evolved over time, with the ribbon changing in 1916 to a crimson or reddish-violet with white edges.

More British Long Service and Good Conduct Decorations

The British military has instituted several Long Service and Good Conduct Decorations, each honoring the dedication and exemplary service of its personnel across different branches. Here are some other ones from different time periods:

Find these medals online:

Right Now on eBay 
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The Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct

The Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct was instituted by King George V in 1930 and initially awarded to Regular Force officers.

The Military Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct is awarded to regular members of the armed forces. It was instituted by King George V in 1930 and replaced the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and the Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Medal.

Initially awarded to Regular Army warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the UK Armed Forces, it also had territorial versions for the British Dominions. In 1947, eligibility was extended to include officers with prior service in the ranks, and since 2016, it includes all regular members who meet the required length of service.

The Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct Design

The medal is crafted in silver, measuring 36 millimeters in diameter.

The obverse features the effigy of the reigning monarch. Two versions were made during the reigns of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. All versions share an ornamented scroll pattern suspender, attached to a bar inscribed “REGULAR ARMY,” affixed with a single-toe claw and a horizontal pin.

The reverse, unchanged across versions, is smooth with a raised rim and bears the inscription “FOR LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT” in four lines. The bar’s reverse is smooth and undecorated.

The clasp displays the Army Crest. A silver rosette on the ribbon bar denotes the award of the clasp in undress uniform. The ribbon, identical to that of the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal introduced in June 1916, is 32 millimeters wide and crimson or reddish violet, edged with 3-millimeter-wide white bands.

More British Long Service and Good Conduct Decorations

The British military has instituted several Long Service and Good Conduct Decorations, each honoring the dedication and exemplary service of its personnel across different branches. Here are some other ones from different time periods:

Find these medals online:

Right Now on eBay 
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The Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

This long service medal, established in 1848, is still awarded to regular members of His Majesty’s Naval Service.

The Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (1848) is awarded to regular members of His Majesty’s Naval Service for long service. Instituted by Queen Victoria to replace the 1830 version, it initially honored other ranks and men in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. Since 2016, the medal is awarded to all regular members, including officers, after completing fifteen years of service.

The original 1830 medal, known as the “anchor type,” was introduced by King William IV and awarded after 21 years of service. It was used until 1847, during Queen Victoria’s reign.

Initially requiring 21 years of service, the qualifying period was reduced to ten years in 1874, then increased to fifteen years in 1884. Despite some confusion regarding changes, the regulations were last updated on 1 October 2016, confirming the fifteen-year service requirement.

The Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Design

The medal is struck in silver, measuring 36 millimeters (1.42 inches) in diameter, slightly larger than the earlier “anchor type” medal from 1830, which is 34 millimeters (1.34 inches) in diameter.

The obverse features the effigy of the reigning monarch. Since its institution in 1848, seven versions have been issued, including two versions each during the reigns of Queen Victoria and King George V.

The reverse depicts a starboard broadside view of HMS Victory, Lord Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The ship is encircled by a rope tied with a reef knot at the bottom, with the inscription “FOR LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT” around the circumference. The design has remained mostly unchanged, though early Queen Victoria versions with a wide suspender featured a larger flag at the masthead, while later versions had a more triangular flag.

The clasp features a laurel leaf design. When only the ribbon bar is worn, a silver rosette on the ribbon indicates the award of a clasp.

The original 1848 ribbon, paired with the wide suspender version of the medal, was 38 millimeters wide and Navy blue with 7 millimeter wide white edges. With the introduction of the narrower suspender version in 1874, the ribbon was changed to 32 millimeters wide and Navy blue with 6½ millimeter wide white edges.

More British Long Service and Good Conduct Decorations

The British military has instituted several Long Service and Good Conduct Decorations, each honoring the dedication and exemplary service of its personnel across different branches. Here are some other ones from different time periods:

Find these medals online:

Right Now on eBay 
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The Papua New Guinea Independence Medal

The Papua New Guinea Independence Medal was established to commemorate the transition to the full independence of Papua New Guinea.

The Papua New Guinea Independence Medal was established in 1975 to mark Papua New Guinea’s transition from self-government to full independence from Australia.

It is part of the Papua New Guinea honors system.

Notable recipients of this medal include:

The Papua New Guinea Independence Medal Design

There are three versions of the Papua New Guinea Independence Medal.

The first version was introduced in 1975 and features the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F.D.” and “PAPUA NEW GUINEA INDEPENDENCE 1975.” It was awarded from 1973 to 1975 to defense force members and citizens in recognition of outstanding service. This medal has a ring suspension and a smooth surface.

The second version was introduced in 1985 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of independence. It was awarded to civilian and military personnel who made significant contributions to the state since independence. This version bears the inscriptions “PAPUA NEW GUINEA ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F.D.” and “INDEPENDENCE 1975-1985.” It also has a ring suspension and a smooth surface.

The third version was introduced in 2005 to mark the 30th anniversary of independence. The obverse inscription reads “30TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY 1975-2005.” This version features a bar suspension and a rayed surface.

The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal

The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal was established to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s accession.

The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (or Médaille du jubilé de platine de la reine Elizabeth II in French), also known as the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, is a commemorative medal established to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession in 1952.

The medal was awarded in the United Kingdom to individuals working in public service, including the Armed Forces, emergency services, and prison services.

In Canada, six out of ten provinces issued their own medals, marking the first time a royal occasion has been commemorated with provincial medals. These medals were awarded to outstanding volunteers, members of the Canadian Armed Forces and emergency services, and others who made significant contributions to society, with particular emphasis in some provinces on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, reconciliation with First Nations and Inuit, and environmental protection.

The Queen’s Caribbean realms also established a medal program for the Platinum Jubilee, recognizing members of the emergency services who responded to hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as members of the defense and police forces.

The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal Design

In the United Kingdom, the medal, made of nickel silver, features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty on the obverse. The reverse displays the helm, crest, and mantling of the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom, excluding Scotland.

The ribbon incorporates silver edges to represent the Silver Jubilee, blue from the Golden Jubilee medal’s ribbon, and red from the Diamond Jubilee ribbon. The Worcestershire Medal Service is responsible for manufacturing the medal.

In Canada, the designs of the medals are similar across all the provinces that produced one, differing only in the depiction of the shield from each province’s coat of arms and the province’s official flower. The wild rose represents Alberta, the prairie crocus for Manitoba, the purple violet for New Brunswick, the mayflower for Nova Scotia, the pink lady’s slipper for Prince Edward Island, and the western red lily for Saskatchewan.

All medals are silver in color, 32mm in diameter, and feature a ring suspension. The obverse shows the same crowned effigy of the Queen used for the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. The reverse displays the Queen’s royal cypher with the dates of her reign—1952 and 2022—at the top, the provincial shield of arms in the center, flanked by renderings of the province’s official flower, and the motto “VIVAT REGINA” (“long live the Queen!”) at the base.

The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal was created in 2012 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession in 1952.

The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (or Médaille du jubilé de diamant de la reine Elizabeth II in French), also known as The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, was created in 2012 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession in 1952.

There are four versions of this medal: one issued by the United Kingdom, another by Canada, a third for the Caribbean realms (including Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), and a fourth issued by Papua New Guinea.

These different versions of the medal were awarded to tens of thousands of recipients across the Commonwealth realms during the jubilee year.

The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Design

The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, named by Order in Council, was designed by Cathy Bursey-Sabourin and manufactured by the Royal Canadian Mint. The Canadian medal features a crowned effigy of the Queen with the inscription “ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA • CANADA” on the obverse. The reverse displays the Queen’s royal cypher on a diamond shield, surrounded by maple leaves and the dates 1952 and 2012, with “VIVAT REGINA” below.

In the UK, the medal, designed by Timothy Noad, shows the Queen’s effigy by Ian Rank-Broadley on the obverse with the inscription “ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID DEF.” The reverse has a faceted hexagon with a crowned royal cypher and the years 1952 and 2012.

Eight Caribbean Commonwealth realms issued their own Diamond Jubilee medals, featuring the Queen’s effigy and the inscription “DIAMOND JUBILEE HM QUEEN ELIZABETH II” on the obverse. The reverse shows the royal cypher with “CARIBBEAN REALMS” above and the years 1952–2012 below. These medals are rhodium-plated.

Papua New Guinea also issued its version, similar to the Caribbean medal but with “PAPUA NEW GUINEA” above the royal cypher.

The Canadian and British medals are suspended from a broad red ribbon with blue outer stripes and central double white stripes with a red stripe between. The Caribbean medal ribbon has a black stripe between the white stripes, and the Papua New Guinea ribbon features a lighter red with yellow replacing blue, reflecting the national flag colors.

All four versions of the medal were awarded unnamed.