The British Empire Medal is a British and Commonwealth award for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown. The current honour was created in 1922 to replace the original medal, which had been established in 1917 as part of the Order of the British Empire.
Obverse (left) and reverse: British Empire Medal, civil division ribbon
Image: British Empire Medal (Civil) , obverse
Silver oak-leaf emblem for gallantry, awarded 1958–74
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organizations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established on 4 June 1917 by King George V and comprises five classes across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two of which make the recipient either a knight if male or dame if female. There is also the related British Empire Medal, whose recipients are affiliated with, but not members of, the order.
CBE neck decoration (in civil division)
MBE (civil division) as awarded in 1918
Grand Cross Star of the Order of the British Empire
Close-up of an MBE from 1945 showing "For God and the Empire"