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.
SURNAME
McGlen
FORENAME
Alexander
UNIT
R.N. 40 Commando
RANK
Sick Berth Attendant
NUMBER
P/MX 793190
AWARD
British Empire Medal
PLACE
Palestine 1949
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
London Gazette 38508, 7th January 1949, Page 189
SURNAME
McKinlay
FORENAME
Stuart
UNIT
R.N. Commando Logistics Regiment (Medical Squadron)
RANK
Medical Technician First Class
NUMBER
D122562W
AWARD
British Empire Medal
PLACE
Falklands 1982
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
age 32
London Gazette 49134, 8th October 1982, Page 12858
SURNAME
Frost
FORENAME
Kenneth George
UNIT
40 Commando
RANK
Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant
NUMBER
PLY/X.475
AWARD
British Empire Medal
PLACE
Corfu 1945
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SURNAME
Ainsworth
FORENAME
Richard Harold
UNIT
40 Commando
RANK
Corporal (A/Sergeant)
NUMBER
CH/X3749
AWARD
British Empire Medal
PLACE
Augusta,Sicily 1943
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 1921, London, UK
also 47 Commando
Special Boat Squadron
1953 joined Imperial Chemical...
SURNAME
Ramsay
FORENAME
Richard A. (Dick)
UNIT
LRDG
RANK
Lance Corporal
NUMBER
AWARD
British Empire Medal
PLACE
Balkans 1943
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit 2 N.Z.E.F.
born 21.9.1917 Hamilton,New Zealand
resided Huntly,New Zealand
farmer in civilian life
wounded 28.1.1943
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
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
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
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
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
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...
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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