Edward Medal first class

[Guest lesley]

Does anyone know anything about the Edward medal?

I found a refernce to it in the Oxford University Roll of Service. It was awarded to an A Angel Bsc Ma Oxon who worked as a Chemist at Silvertown.

[Jonathan Saunders]

There were two categories, for saving lives in mines (instituted 1907) or industry (instituted 1909).

There were two classes, 1st (silver) and 2nd (bronze). These medals are now awarded only in posthumous circumstances although that was not always the case.

These are similar to the Albert medal, instituted in 1866 for saving life at sea.

[Terry Denham]

The Edward Medal is no longer awarded.

On 21.10.71 every surviving holder of this medal was authorised to exchange it for the George Cross - the UK's highest award for gallantry by civilians. 68 Edward Medal holders were eligible for the GC.

The surviving holders of the Albert Medal were also so authorised on the same date - 64 of them. Previously, on 24.09.40, the holders of the Empire Gallantry Medal had also received the same authorisation - 112 of them.

This was part of a rationalisation process to enshrine the GC as the UK's highest award for civilian gallantry in any circumstances (It is also the highest gallantry award to the military for circumstances not in the face of the enemy - Oddly, gallantry during bomb disposal or resistance as a PoW does not count as 'in the face of the enemy'! - hence the GC being awarded in these cases rather than the VC)