Summary

Meritorious Service Medal, King George V (2nd type, bust in Field Marshal's uniform) awarded to B.S. MJR. E. [2 SPACES] E. R.N.S., service number 1897, Aust. F.A.

Instituted on 19 December 1845 for army warrent officers and sergeants for long and meritoriouis service (no more than 100 living recipients permitted this being controlled by the sum set aside for the annuity of 20 pounds). The award was extended to marines in 1849. In 1916 it was changed to an award 'for valuable and meritorious service' and was varied again in 1917 to being an award 'for gallant conduct in the performance of military duty otherwise than in action with the enemy, or in saving or attempting to save the life of an officer or soldiers, or for devotion to duty in a theatre of war'.

Physical Description

A silver medal (36 mm diameter) with mount. The obverse features a bust of George V wearing the uniform of a Field Marshal with bare head, facing left; around, GEORGVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:; the artist's initials B.M. (Bertram MacKennal) on the truncation. The reverse has, within a crowned laurel wreath, the legend FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE. The edge has been partly erased but reads: 1897 B.S. MJR. E. [2 SPACES]E. R.N.S. AUST. F.A. .

Obverse Description

Bust of George V wearing the uniform of a Field Marshal with bare head, facing left; around, GEORGVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:; the artist's initials B.M. (Bertram MacKennal) on the truncation.

Reverse Description

Within a crowned laurel wreath, the legend FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE.

Edge Description

1897 B.S. MJR. E. [2 SPACES]E. R.N.S. AUST. F.A. partly erased

Significance

The award was instituted on 19 December 1845 for army warrent officers and sergeants for long and meritoriouis service (no more than 100 living recipients permitted). It was accompanied by an annuity of 20 pounds. The award was extended to marines in 1849. In 1916 it was changed to an award 'for valuable and meritorious service' and was varied again in 1917 to being an award 'for gallant conduct in the performance of military duty otherwise than in action with the enemy, or in saving or attempting to save the life of an officer or soldiers, or for devotion to duty in a theatre of war'.

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