Military Medal



The Military Medal was established during the First World War by King George V on 25 March 1916, a year and a half after Britain declared war against Germany. Its inception was intended to meet the enormous demand for medals during the First World War. The medal was initially awarded tot Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and men of the army, including the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Division, for individual or associated acts of bravery which were insufficient to merit an award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal.



The Military Medal, which was recommended by a Commander-in Chief in the field, was not restricted to British or Commonwealth subjects, but also foreign subjects could be awarded. The medal was subsequently awarded to women and awards of the medal were announced in the London Gazette.



Recipients of the medal, which was silver and circular of 36 mm in diameter, were allowed to use the letters ?MM? after their name. A bar is awarded for a subsequent act or acts of bravery. On the obverse is the head of the monarch shown and on the rim the regimental or equivalent number, rank, initials, surname and unit of the recipient is engraved in plain block capitals.



The ribbon is dark blue, 1.25 inches wide, with five equal vertical centre stripes of white, red, white, red and white, each 0.125 inches wide.



As many as 115,600 Military Medals were awarded during the First World War, along with 5,796 first bars, 180 second bars and 1 third bar. A further 15, 000 Military Medals were awarded during the Second World War.