Empire Gallantry Medal
Encyclopedia
The Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Gallantry, usually known as the Empire Gallantry Medal (EGM), was a British
medal
awarded for acts of the highest civilian gallantry (and was also awarded to military personnel for acts of gallantry not in the face of the enemy). King George V
introduced it on 29 December 1922. Recipients were entitled to use the post-nominal letters "EGM" and it was divided into military and civil divisions in a similar way to the Order of the British Empire
itself. While recipients were not technically counted as members of the Order, these medals were nevertheless affiliated with it.
(BEM) recognised services other than bravery and was of a much lower level (usually being awarded to those who were not considered senior enough to be awarded the Order of the British Empire itself). The EGM was awarded until 1940, when it was superseded by the George Cross
. The BEM continued until 1992. It has since fallen into abeyance in the United Kingdom, although it is still awarded in other Commonwealth Realms.
While only awarded for acts of the highest gallantry, the Empire Gallantry Medal, along with the Albert Medal
and Edward Medal
, was not considered to hold the same prestige as the Victoria Cross
, partly the justification for the introduction of the George Cross after the Blitz
. The EGM was finally revoked by Royal Warrant
on 24 September 1940. All living recipients and the next-of-kin of recipients who had died after 3 September 1939 (the start of World War II
) were obliged to exchange the Empire Gallantry Medal for the George Cross. Recipients of the Albert Medal
and Edward Medal
became eligible to exchange their original awards for the George Cross only in 1971, and were invited rather than obliged to do so.
centered. The 2nd type of reverse had four lions, two on either side of the Royal Cypher. The original ribbon was plain purple, with the addition of a thin vertical red stripe for military awards. A silver laurel branch was added diagonally to the ribbon for both types of award in 1933. The ribbon changed to rose ink with pearl grey edges in July 1937, with an addition pearl grey vertical stripe for military awards, and stayed in this version until its revocation.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
medal
Medal
A medal, or medallion, is generally a circular object that has been sculpted, molded, cast, struck, stamped, or some way rendered with an insignia, portrait, or other artistic rendering. A medal may be awarded to a person or organization as a form of recognition for athletic, military, scientific,...
awarded for acts of the highest civilian gallantry (and was also awarded to military personnel for acts of gallantry not in the face of the enemy). King George V
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
introduced it on 29 December 1922. Recipients were entitled to use the post-nominal letters "EGM" and it was divided into military and civil divisions in a similar way to the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
itself. While recipients were not technically counted as members of the Order, these medals were nevertheless affiliated with it.
History
The EGM was the result of the splitting in 1922 of the original Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) into two new honours. While the Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Gallantry (EGM) was henceforward awarded for acts of the highest bravery, the Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious ServiceBritish Empire Medal
The Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service, usually known as the British Empire Medal , is a British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown...
(BEM) recognised services other than bravery and was of a much lower level (usually being awarded to those who were not considered senior enough to be awarded the Order of the British Empire itself). The EGM was awarded until 1940, when it was superseded by the George Cross
George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
. The BEM continued until 1992. It has since fallen into abeyance in the United Kingdom, although it is still awarded in other Commonwealth Realms.
While only awarded for acts of the highest gallantry, the Empire Gallantry Medal, along with the Albert Medal
Albert Medal (lifesaving)
The Albert Medal for Lifesaving was a British medal awarded to recognise the saving of life. It has since been replaced by the George Cross.The Albert Medal was first instituted by a Royal Warrant on 7 March 1866 and discontinued in 1971 with the last two awards promulgated in the London Gazette of...
and Edward Medal
Edward Medal
The Edward Medal is a British civilian decoration which was instituted by Royal Warrant on 13 July 1907 to recognise acts of bravery of miners and quarrymen in endangering their lives to rescue their fellow workers...
, was not considered to hold the same prestige as the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, partly the justification for the introduction of the George Cross after the Blitz
The Blitz
The Blitz was the sustained strategic bombing of Britain by Nazi Germany between 7 September 1940 and 10 May 1941, during the Second World War. The city of London was bombed by the Luftwaffe for 76 consecutive nights and many towns and cities across the country followed...
. The EGM was finally revoked by Royal Warrant
Royal Warrant
Royal warrants of appointment have been issued for centuries to those who supply goods or services to a royal court or certain royal personages. The warrant enables the supplier to advertise the fact that they supply to the royal family, so lending prestige to the supplier...
on 24 September 1940. All living recipients and the next-of-kin of recipients who had died after 3 September 1939 (the start of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
) were obliged to exchange the Empire Gallantry Medal for the George Cross. Recipients of the Albert Medal
Albert Medal (lifesaving)
The Albert Medal for Lifesaving was a British medal awarded to recognise the saving of life. It has since been replaced by the George Cross.The Albert Medal was first instituted by a Royal Warrant on 7 March 1866 and discontinued in 1971 with the last two awards promulgated in the London Gazette of...
and Edward Medal
Edward Medal
The Edward Medal is a British civilian decoration which was instituted by Royal Warrant on 13 July 1907 to recognise acts of bravery of miners and quarrymen in endangering their lives to rescue their fellow workers...
became eligible to exchange their original awards for the George Cross only in 1971, and were invited rather than obliged to do so.
Appearance
The medal and ribbon were designed first by Langford Jones, though it was changed throughout its existence. The phrase "For God and the Empire" was inscribed round the upper side of the obverse. The first type of reverse had six lions, with the Royal CypherRoyal Cypher
In modern heraldry, a royal cypher is a monogram-like device of a country's reigning sovereign, typically consisting of the initials of the monarch's name and title, sometimes interwoven and often surmounted by a crown. In the case where such a cypher is used by an emperor or empress, it is called...
centered. The 2nd type of reverse had four lions, two on either side of the Royal Cypher. The original ribbon was plain purple, with the addition of a thin vertical red stripe for military awards. A silver laurel branch was added diagonally to the ribbon for both types of award in 1933. The ribbon changed to rose ink with pearl grey edges in July 1937, with an addition pearl grey vertical stripe for military awards, and stayed in this version until its revocation.