Imperial Service Medal

Eligibility

It is presented upon retirement to selected civil servants, including those belonging to the lowest support and clerical branches, who complete at least 25 years' meritorious service. It is primarily an award to manual and industrial grades, including workers in HM Dockyards and, prior to 1969 when it moved from central government control, the Post Office. Prison officers were eligible prior to the establishment in 2010 of the Prison Services Long Service Medal. The minimum period of service was 20½ years in India prior to independence in 1947, and 16 years in unhealthy climates in other countries.

Appearance

When originally created the Imperial Service Medal was a seven-pointed star, or a laurel wreath for women, in the same pattern as the Imperial Service Order, but with the star or laurel in bronze. In 1920 an amendment of the statutes changed the appearance of the medal to its current form: a circular silver medal, 32 mm in diameter, bearing the effigy of the reigning sovereign on the obverse. File:Imperial Service Medal, obverse George V.png |George V, 1920-30. Inscribed GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. INDIAE. IMP. File:Imperial Service Medal, obverse George V, post 1935.jpg |George V, crowned head 1931-37. Inscribed GEORGIVS VI DEI. GRA. BRITT. OMN REX. FID. DEF. File:George Medal, King George VI, first obverse.png|George VI, 1937-48. Inscribed GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX ET INDIAE IMP: File:George Medal, King George VI, second obverse.jpg|George VI, 1949-53. Inscribed GEORGIVS VI DEI: GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: File:George Medal, Queen Elizabeth, first obverse.png|Elizabeth II, 1953-54. Inscribed ELIZABETH II D: G: BR: OMN: REGINA F.D. File:George Medal, Queen Elizabeth, second obverse.png|Elizabeth II, 1954-2022. Inscribed ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F.D. File:Imperial Service Medal, common reverse.jpg|Common reverse, all issues since 1920. The reverse bears the image of a naked man resting from his labours The name of the recipient is impressed on the rim of the medal. Recipients are listed in the London Gazette.

References

References

1. {{London Gazette. (17 March 2003)
2. {{London Gazette. (8 August 1902)
3. {{London Gazette. (29 May 1903)
4. [https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/recognition/imperial-service-medal/ Recognition: Imperial Service Medal], Ministry of Defence, says "Those eligible for consideration are Skill Zone and Band E grades" so including AA and AO grades
5. Damon Rogers. ''The workman's medal: an analysis of the award of the Imperial Service Medal during the reign of Edward VII''. Orders and Medals Research Society Journal, June 2022, Vol 61 No 2. Page 131.
6. Nick Tucker. ''The Imperial Service Medal: is this humble medal underrated?''. Orders and Medals Research Society Journal, March 2021, Vol 60 No 1. Pages 16–22.
7. {{London Gazette. (17 January 2011)
8. Captain H. Taprell Dorling.. "Ribbons and Medals.".
9. John Mussell (ed).. "Medal Yearbook 2015.".
10. (25 June 1920)
11. (8 April 1986). "Imperial Service Order". The National Archives.
12. For example: {{London Gazette. (11 July 2017)