british empire medal

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.
  1. PARAS 2 Bull, Derek Francis John

    SURNAME Bull FORENAME Derek John Francis UNIT Parachute Regiment RANK Sergeant (BEM), Warrant Officer Class 2 (MBE) NUMBER 24146804 AWARD British Empire Medal, Member of the Order of the British Empire PLACE Northern Ireland (BEM), 1993 (MBE) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION London Gazette...
  2. 3 CDO BDE Down, Michael Ernest James

    SURNAME Down FORENAME Michael Ernest James UNIT Royal Marines RANK Sergeant NUMBER P036198Y AWARD British Empire Medal PLACE Northern Ireland ADDITIONAL INFORMATION London Gazette 52137, 14th May 1990, Page 9154
  3. 3 CDO BDE Bowden, Arthur Alan

    SURNAME Bowden FORENAME Arthur Alan UNIT Royal Marines RANK Sergeant NUMBER P024018C AWARD British Empire Medal PLACE Northern Ireland, 1980 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION London Gazette 48583, 13th April 1981, Page 5527
  4. 3 CDO BDE Balment, Robert Ernest

    SURNAME Balment FORENAME Robert Ernest UNIT Royal Marines RANK Colour Sergeant NUMBER P022095H AWARD British Empire Medal PLACE Northern Ireland, 1980 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION London Gazette 48583, 13th April 1981, Page 5527
  5. 3 CDO BDE Hannah, Kenneth William

    SURNAME Hannah FORENAME Kenneth William UNIT Royal Marines RANK Corporal NUMBER P036166P AWARD Mention in Despatches, British Empire Medal, Member of the Order of the British Empire PLACE Northern Ireland, 1983 (MiD) Northern Ireland (BEM, MBE) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION London...
  6. PARAS 2 Ryan, Kevin Francis

    SURNAME Ryan FORENAME Kevin Francis UNIT Parachute Regiment RANK Corporal (MiD, BEM), Sergeant (QGM), Warrant Officer Class 2 (MBE) NUMBER 24351750 AWARD Mention in Despatches, British Empire Medal, Queen's Gallantry Medal, Member of the Order of the British Empire PLACE Northern...
  7. 3 CDO BDE Winter, Brian

    SURNAME Winter FORENAME Brian UNIT Royal Marines RANK Sergeant NUMBER PO27405X AWARD British Empire Medal PLACE Falklands ADDITIONAL INFORMATION London Gazette 49134, 8th October 1982, Page 12858
  8. SOE Allen, Frank Derek

    SURNAME Allen FORENAME Frank Derek UNIT Force 136 RANK Sergeant NUMBER 6288287 AWARD British Empire Medal PLACE SE Asia 1945 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION parent unit Royal Corps of Signals born 23.9.1920 West Ham,Essex died 2000 Canterbury,Kent
  9. RANCDT Bingham, Harold Leslie

    SURNAME Bingham FORENAME Harold Leslie UNIT Clearance Diver (RAN) RANK Able Seaman Clearance Diver NUMBER R50749 AWARD British Empire Medal PLACE Queens Birthday 1961 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
  10. RANCDT Asher, Frederick Kevin

    SURNAME Asher FORENAME Frederick Kevin UNIT Clearance Diver (RAN) RANK Acting Leading Seaman Clearance Diver NUMBER R51110 AWARD British Empire Medal PLACE Queens Birthday 1961 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION London Gazette 10.06.1961 page 4181
  11. AUSTRALIAN COMMANDOS Dolby, Robert William (Bill)

    SURNAME Dolby FORENAME Robert William (Bill) UNIT M Special Unit RANK Sergeant NUMBER NX 65557 AWARD British Empire Medal PLACE New Guinea 1943 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION born 26.9.1905 Casino, New South Wales next of kin William Dolby (1873-1953) occupation Blacksmith single...
  12. SOE Galbraith, Donald

    SURNAME Galbraith FORENAME Donald UNIT SOE Poland (Op.Freston) RANK Warrant Officer Second Class NUMBER 2324250 AWARD British Empire Medal PLACE Poland 1944 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION parent unit Royal Corps of Signals born 25.2.1917 recommended for M.B.E. 1945 married Sylvia (nee...
  13. AUSTRALIAN COMMANDOS 2 Blacker, Edward Charles

    SURNAME Blacker FORENAME Edward Charles UNIT 126 Signal Squadron (Special Forces) RANK Sergeant NUMBER 13695 AWARD British Empire Medal PLACE Borneo 1960s ADDITIONAL INFORMATION later with 547 Signal Troop in Vietnam
  14. EOD Slingsby, Alfred Frank

    SURNAME Slingsby FORENAME Alfred Frank (Alf) UNIT Mediterranean Clearance Diving Team + Scotlan and Northern Ireland Clearance Diving Team,Royal Navy RANK Petty Officer (Clearance Diver 1) + Chief Petty Officer (Clearance Diver 1) NUMBER J930592R AWARD British Empire Medal, Queen's...
  15. EOD Pennington, John

    SURNAME Pennington FORENAME John UNIT Fleet Clearance Diving Team,Royal Navy RANK Leading Seaman (Clearance Diver 2) NUMBER D073265R AWARD British Empire Medal PLACE Suez Canal 1974 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION London Gazette 46444, 31st December 1974, Page 24
  16. EOD Morris, David Glyn

    SURNAME Morris FORENAME David Glyn UNIT HMS Wilton,Royal Navy RANK Acting Able Seaman (Clearance Diver) NUMBER D134468L AWARD British Empire Medal PLACE Suez Canal 1974 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION London Gazette 46444, 31st December 1974, Page 24
  17. EOD Geddes, Keith Maclean

    SURNAME Geddes FORENAME Keith Maclean UNIT HMS Bossington,Royal Navy RANK Able Seaman (Clearance Diver 2) NUMBER D080419T AWARD British Empire Medal PLACE Suez Canal 1974 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION London Gazette 46444, 31st December 1974, Page 24
  18. EOD Carter, Sydney (Nick)

    SURNAME Carter FORENAME Sydney (Nick) UNIT Portsmouth and Medway Clearance Diving Team,Royal Navy RANK Chief Petty Officer (Clearance Diver 1) NUMBER J889862C AWARD British Empire Medal PLACE New Year 1.1.1975 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION London Gazette 46444, 31st December 1974, Page 24
  19. EOD Bray, Bernard Edward

    SURNAME Bray FORENAME Bernard Edward (Donkey) UNIT Fleet Clearance Diving Team, Royal Navy RANK Chief Petty Officer (Clearance Diver 1) NUMBER J898304P AWARD British Empire Medal and bar PLACE Malta 1972 and Suez Canal 1974 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION London Gazette 46046, 7th August...
  20. EOD Fellows, Michael George

    SURNAME Fellows FORENAME Michael George (Mick) UNIT Fleet Clearance Diving Team 1 + Scotland and Northern Ireland Clearance Diving Team + S. of D., Royal Navy RANK Petty Officer (Diver) (BEM) + Chief Petty Officer (Diver) (MBE) + Fleet Chief Petty Officer (Diver) (DSC) NUMBER J944234N...
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