Meritorious Service Medal - CIIIR
Full Size / Miniature

Instituted 19th December 1845.

Until November 1902 recipients were not allowed to wear the MSM and LSGC but thereafter they could both be worn with the LSGC taking precedence at that time, in 1979 this changed to the MSM taking precedence in the order of wear. Originally awarded with an annuity, until 1951 the fund being fixed the medal was only issued when an annuity became available upon the death of a former recipient. Since 1951 it has been awarded without an annuity. From 1957 a recipient needed at least 27 years service, reduced in 2002 to 20 years as noted below.

By Royal Warrant of February 2002 the maximum number of awards was amended to 201 and the qualifying period reduced to 20 years. The annual allocation of awards is now: Royal Navy (49) Royal Marines (3) Army (89) and RAF (60). The medal is identical for all three services. This, the medal with DEI GRATIA legend has been issued since 1954.

The medal is identical for all three services.

This medal is the CIIIR legened awarded for all who qualified for the medal from 1st October 2023 onwards.