Imperial Service Medal | |
---|---|
Obverse and reverse of the medal | |
Awarded for | 25 years of meritorious service |
Presented by | ![]() |
Eligibility | Civil Servants of the United Kingdom, the Dominions, Colonies, Protectorates, and Overseas Territories. |
Post-nominals | ISM |
Established | 8 August 1902[1] |
Last awarded | 24 January 2023 |
![]() Ribbon bar of the medal | |
Order of Wear | |
Next (higher) | Polar Medal[2] |
Next (lower) | Indian Police Medal[2] |
The Imperial Service Medal (ISM) is a medal affiliated with the Imperial Service Order. The medal was established under the statutes of the Imperial Service Order, on 8 August 1902, by King Edward VII,[1] with the first awards appearing in the London Gazette in May 1903.[3]
It is presented upon retirement to selected civil servants, not belonging to the administrative or clerical branches,[4] who complete at least 25 years meritorious service. It is primarily an award to manual and industrial grades, including workers in H M Dockyards and, prior to 1969 when it moved from central government control, the Post Office.[5] Prison officers were eligible prior to the establishment in 2010 of the Prison Services Long Service Medal.[6] The minimum period of service was 20½ years in India prior to independence in 1947, and 16 years in unhealthy climates in other countries.[5]
When originally created the Imperial Service Medal was a seven-pointed star, or a laurel wreath for women, in the same pattern as the Imperial Service Order, but with the star or laurel in bronze.[7] In 1920 an amendment of the statutes changed the appearance of the medal to its current form: a circular silver medal, 32 mm (1.3 in) in diameter, bearing the effigy of the reigning sovereign on the obverse.[8] To date, here have been six versions:[9]
The reverse bears the image of a naked man resting from his labours[9] with the inscription "For Faithful Service".[8][10] The name of the recipient is impressed on the rim of the medal. Recipients are listed in the London Gazette.[11]