service medal

[david12656]

can anyone please tell me about the imperial service medal what was it awarded for and was it a first world war medal thanks for any help

[Guest Hill 60]

From the Medal Yearbook -

Instituted: August 1902

Originally similier to the Imperial Serivce Order but with a silver plaque and bronze star or wreath. In 1920 the ISM was transformed into a circular medal of silver with the sovereign's effigy on the obverse and a reverse depicting a naked man resting from his labours, with FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE in the exergue.

Instituted at the same time as the ISO but intended for junior grades of the Civil Service.

The ISO -

Instituted by King Edward VII as a means of rewarding long and faithful service in the Administrative and Clerical grades of the Civil Service at home and overseas. Women were admitted to the Order in 1908.

The Order was awarded for at least 25 years service at home, 20 years and 6 months (India) and 16 years in the tropics; but for exceptionl cases awards were mad for 'eminently meritorious service' irrespective of qualifying period. No UK awards have been made since 1995, but some Commonwealth awards continued to at least 2003.

I had one to a man who spent nearly 30 years as a Postman.

[DirtyDick]

Imperial Service Medals will often accompany WW1 and WW2 medal groups since the veteran latterly served in some form of Public or Civil Service body for the requisite number of years.

It is also awarded to (sometimes formerly) government-run civilian bodies that work with the Services, such as tug boat crews and those who deliver ordance to ships.

Essentially it is a LSGC medal for lower grade workers in the Public Sector other than the armed forces and the emergency services.

Richard

[eviltaxman]

The ISM is still being issued today, to the likes of staff who have completed 25 years "loyal" service in the Civil Service.

I work - as you can tell from my name - in the Inland Revenue, where the medal has not been "recognised" since the early 90's. However, the Customs & Excise Dept (with whom we are merging) are still issueing them to staff.

Les.

[Jim Gordon]

Could it be that the original posting really meant the Imperial Service Badge. This was awarded to members of the Territorial Force who volunteered for overseas duty in 1914/1915 ?

Regards

Jim Gordon