british empire medal

Charlie Rangers
Charlie Rangers
By John L. Rotundo, John Ericson
Danger Close: Commanding 3 PARA in Afghanistan
Danger Close: Commanding 3 PARA in Afghanistan
By Stuart Tootal DSO
The British Empire Medal is granted in recognition of meritorious civil or military service. Recipients are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "BEM".

The honour is divided into civil and military medals in a similar way to the Order of the British Empire itself. Like the ribbons used for other classes of the Order of the British Empire, the ribbon of the British Empire Medal is rose-pink with pearl-grey edges, with the addition of a pearl-grey central stripe for the military division. While recipients are not technically counted as members of the Order, these medals are nevertheless affiliated with it.

Between 1993 and 2012, the British Empire Medal was not awarded to subjects of the United Kingdom, although it continued to be awarded in some Commonwealth realms during that time. The practice of awarding the British Empire Medal to subjects of the United Kingdom was resumed in June 2012, to coincide with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, although only in the civil division.
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  1. LRDG McLeod, Archibald Forbes

    SURNAME McLeod FORENAME Archibald Forbes UNIT LRP RANK Staff Sergeant NUMBER 3388 AWARD British Empire Medal PLACE North Africa ADDITIONAL INFORMATION parent unit 4 Field Regiment,Royal New Zealand Artillery

  2. LRDG Davis, J.L.D.

    SURNAME Davis FORENAME J.L.D. UNIT LRDG RANK Sergeant NUMBER AWARD British Empire Medal PLACE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION parent unit N.Z.E.F born 9.1.1914 Taumarunui,New Zealand resided Stratford,New Zealand clerk in civilian life

  3. SCUS Strange, William Rowland

    SURNAME Strange FORENAME William Rowland UNIT R.A.F.V.R. 3201 Servicing Commando Unit RANK Leading Aircraftsman NUMBER 962736 AWARD British Empire Medal PLACE France 1944 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION London Gazette 36544, 2nd June 1944, Page 2600

  4. SCUS Frazer, Hugh

    SURNAME Frazer FORENAME Hugh UNIT R.A.F. 3201 Servicing Commando Unit RANK Corporal NUMBER 551351 AWARD British Empire Medal PLACE North Africa 1943 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION London Gazette 36033, 28th May 1943, Page 2441

  5. SCUS Bannon, Patrick Mathew

    SURNAME Bannon FORENAME Patrick Mathew UNIT R.A.F.V.R. 3201 Servicing Commando Unit RANK A/Flight Sergeant NUMBER 810118 AWARD British Empire Medal PLACE North Africa 1943 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION London Gazette 36033, 28th May 1943, Page 2441

  6. AATTV Ison, C.J.

    SURNAMEIson FORENAMEC.J. UNITAATTV RANKWarrant Officer Second Class NUMBER AWARDBritish Empire Medal PLACESouth Vietnam ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  7. AATTV Collinson, Reginald James

    SURNAME Collinson FORENAME Reginald James UNIT Royal Australian Engineers RANK Warrant Officer Second Class NUMBER 34893 AWARD British Empire Medal PLACE South Vietnam ADDITIONAL INFORMATION born 09.12.1932, Thornbury, Victoria, Australia wife Coleen served Korea 1st...

  8. AATTV Breakwell, Terry Hunter

    SURNAME Breakwell FORENAME Terry Hunter UNIT Royal Australian Infantry Corps RANK T/Warrant Officer Second Class NUMBER 29598 AWARD British Empire Medal PLACE South Vietnam ADDITIONAL INFORMATION born 28.07.1930 Dannervirke, New Zealand AATTV 03.12.1969-07.12.1970 Name...
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