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The British Empire Medal

British Orders of Knighthood: The British Empire Medal

Average Price:

£300 to £1,500
($390 to $1,950)

(The cost varies based on the medal’s historical significance, the recipient’s background, and the condition of the medal)

The British Empire Medal (formally known as British Empire Medal for Meritorious Service) is a British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown. It was created in 1922 to replace the original medal, which had been established in 1917 as part of the Order of the British Empire.

Recipients are entitled to use the post-nominal letters “BEM“. The honor is divided into civil and military medals and, while recipients are not technically counted as members of the Order, these medals are nevertheless affiliated with it.

Between 1922 and 1940, the BEM was usually awarded to people below management or professional level such as to non-commissioned officers of the armed forces, officers below superintendent rank in the police, and personnel below divisional officer level in the fire services. From 1940, the BEM was awarded for acts of gallantry that did not reach the standard of the George Medal.

The British Empire Medal Design

The medal is struck in silver and measures 36 millimeters in diameter, although some specimens measure up to 37.5 millimeters. The words MERITORIOUS SERVICE are inscribed in the exergue. The medal is suspended from a straight bar ornamented with oak leaves. An emblem of crossed silver oak leaves was introduced in December 1957 to denote a gallantry award.

Like the ribbons used for other classes of the Order of the British Empire, the ribbon of the British Empire Medal is rose-pink with pearl-grey edges, with the addition of a pearl-grey central stripe for the military division.

More Medals from Great Britain

Explore the rich history of British military honors through a captivating display of medals from different periods. Use the images below to learn more about the diverse array of decorations that have adorned the uniforms of British servicemen and women throughout history or use the button at the end to visit the entire UK medals database. 

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Further Reading About British History

Dive into the captivating saga of British history with this small curated selection of books spanning centuries of triumphs, challenges, and cultural evolution. From gripping narratives of medieval monarchs to insightful analyses of pivotal moments in British politics and society, I tried to include something for every history enthusiast.