Date
Instituted: 1849.
Description: The obverse of this medal bears the effigy of the reigning
monarch while the reverse has the inscription 'FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE'
within a wreath surmounted by a crown. The suspender is of the
scroll type with an ornate claw mount.
Metal: Silver.
Size: 36mm.
Bars: Authorised for subsequent awards.
| Ribbon: |
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Naming: Impressed
or engraved capital letters.
Comments: Awarded to those of the rank of sergeant or above who
had completed a minimum of 24 years service with at least 14 years
of them as a sergeant who were considered 'with an irreproachable
and meritorious character'. In 1872 the qualification period was
reduced to 21 years and as a result sergeants who had been previously
discharged with more than 21 years but less than 24 years service
were made eligible.
Between
1916 and 1919 Marine NCOs were made eligible for this award for
displaying arduous or meritorious service. The ribbon for this medal
was crimson with three white stripes. The effigy of King George
V also appeared either in naval or army uniform depending upon whether
the medal was awarded for meritorious acts on ship or land.
As
with the Royal Naval Meritorious Service Medal it was replaced in
1928 by the British Empire Medal. However it was revived in 1977
as a long service type award. |
