Empire Gallantry Medal
The Medal of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for Gallantry, known as the Empire Gallantry Medal (EGM), was a British medal awarded for acts of gallantry. Unlike the then existing Sea Gallantry Medal (SGM) (1854), the Albert Medal (AM) (1866) and the Edward Medal (EM) (1907) which each had two classes with restricted eligibility criteria, the EGM was a single class award with wide eligibility. It was instituted by King George V on 29 December 1922. In July 1937, recipients were granted the right to use the post-nominal letters "EGM". The EGM was superseded in 1940 by the George Cross which was also a single class award with wide eligibility but unlike the low placed EGM on the Order of Wear, the George Cross was listed immediately after the Victoria Cross.
| Medal of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for Gallantry | |
|---|---|
Empire Gallantry Medal (George VI reverse) | |
| Type | Bravery decoration |
| Description | Circular silver medal |
| Presented by | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| Eligibility | British and Commonwealth subjects |
| Status | Ceased by Royal Warrant on 24 September 1940 |
| Established | 29 December 1922 |
| First awarded | 1 January 1923 |
| Total | 130 |
| Total awarded posthumously | 8 |
| Ribbon bar: Civil and Military EGM (to 1937). Silver laurel branch added 1933 Ribbon bar: Civil and Military EGM (1937–40). | |
| 1936 Order of Wear | |
| Next (higher) | Kings' Police Medal |
| Next (lower) | Indian Police Medal |
The EGM was a medal of the Order of the British Empire and like the Order itself, was divided into civil and military divisions, but unlike the British Empire Medal (BEM), officers were eligible for the medal.