Queen's Gallantry Medal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Queen's Gallantry Medal | |
|---|---|
_Reverse.png)  Reverse of medal and ribbon |
|
| Awarded by UK and Commonwealth | |
| Type | Civil decoration. |
| Eligibility | British and Commonwealth subjects. |
| Awarded for | "... exemplary acts of bravery." |
| Status | Currently awarded. |
| Description | Silver disk, 36mm diameter. |
| Post-nominals | QGM |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 20 June1974 |
| Total awarded | Fewer than 600 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | George Medal |
| Equivalent | Sea Gallantry Medal; this is disputable |
| Next (lower) | Queen's Commendation for Bravery, Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air |
The Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM) is the third level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.[1]
It was instituted on 20 June 1974 to replace the Order of the British Empire for Gallantry, the British Empire Medal for Gallantry, and the Colonial Police Medal for Gallantry. It therefore ended the rather strange situation whereby the Order of the British Empire for Gallantry was awarded for lesser acts of bravery than the George Medal, but took precedence over it in order of wear and postnominal letters. From 30 November 1977, it has also been awarded posthumously,[2] and thus from that date it also replaced the Queen's Police Medal for Gallantry.
The medal is awarded for "exemplary acts of bravery", and is primarily a civilian medal, although military personnel can receive it for acts not in the face of the enemy, below the standard required to receive the George Medal. Recipients may use the post nominal letters "QGM". Fewer than 600 have been awarded.
[edit] Description
- The QGM is silver and circular in shape, 36 mm in diameter. The obverse of the medal shows the crowned effigy of the monarch.
- The reverse bears the image of a St. Edward's Crown above the words 'The Queen's Gallantry Medal' in four lines, flanked by laurel sprigs.
- The ribbon is of three equal stripes of dark blue, pearl grey and dark blue with a narrow rose pink stripe in the centre.
- Further awards of the QGM are indicated by a silver bar ornated with laurel leaves. When the ribbon alone is worn, a silver rosette denotes award of the Clasp.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Although certain Commonwealth Realms have now instituted their own indigenous honours systems, replacing the QGM and other Commonwealth awards so far as their citizens are concerned.
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 47398, p. 15237, 5 December 1977.
[edit] References
- Abbott, PE and Tamplin, JMA - British Gallantry Awards, (1981), Nimrod Dix and Co.
- Duckers, P - British Gallantry Awards 1855-2000, (2001), Shire Publications
- Mackay, J and Mussell, J (eds) - Medal Yearbook - 2005, (2004), Token Publishing.
