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Medal - Meritorious Service Medal (1916-1918) Gallantry and Immediate

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Overview

The Meritorious Service Medal was awarded to Australians under the British Honours system between 1916 and 1918 for gallantry not in the face of the ememy and/or meritorious service. The circular medal was struck in silver and the obverse for the Army version contained an effigy of the King George V in Field Marshal's uniform, facing left. with the legend: GEORGIVS V BRITT : OMN : REX ET IND : IMP :The medal ribbon is 32mm wide, crimson with thin white edges with a central thin white stripe to distinguish it from the long service version which was the original intent of the award. On the reverse a small crown and a wreath surrounds the inscription For Meritorious Service. The suspender is of the ornate scroll type.

Historical information

The Meritorious Service Medal was introduced in December 1845 and initially awarded to recognize specially long service. Recipients needed 27 years of service of a distinctly “meritorious” nature, reaching the rank of Sergeant or above
During the World War 1, a Royal Warrant approved on October 4, 1916, extended eligibility for the Meritorious Service Medal to non-commissioned officers below the rank of Sergeant and men. Criteria were established for a gallantry award and an immediate award to recognise non-operational gallantry or meritorious service connected to the war effort. Australians were awarded 1,222 Meritorious Service Medals for gallantry or meritorious service during World War 1.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-54-713

Inscriptions and markings

Recipients of an immediate Meritorious Service Medal for gallantry or meritorious service connected with the war were entitled to use the post-nominalletters “MSM”.

Contextual Information

Medals are displayed in context throughout the Australian Army Museum of Western Australia. All medals are identified, archivally stored and those not on display are accessible and viewable with prior notice.

Links to additional resources

1260 WO1 Roy Rowe MSM

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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