Meritorious Service Medal

Royal Navy
The Royal Navy Meritorious Service Medal MSM was introduced on 14 January 1919 and originally intended to reward either specific acts of gallantry not in the presence of the enemy or for meritorious service performed by petty officers and ratings. The gallantry awards were superseded by the introduction of the British Empire Gallantry Medal in 1928. However, the award was discontinued in 1928 and re-instituted after a gap of nearly fifty years in December 1977.

Royal Marines
The Royal Marine Meritorious Service Medal MSM was introduced on 15 January 1849. The silver, 36 millimetre diameter medal has the profile of the sovereign on the obverse and the reverse side has a crown and wreath around the words “For Meritorious Service”. The recipient’s details are shown on the medal’s rim. The ribbon for this medal is dark blue with no edge or stripes.
This medal was originally intended to recognise either specific acts of gallantry or distinguished service. The gallantry aspects of this medal were replaced by the Naval Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (CGM). Sergeants who had a minimum of 24 years, the last 14 years as Sergeant, could be eligible for the medal if their character was deemed to have been sufficiently meritorious.
During the period 1916-19 Royal Marine NCOs could be awarded this medal immediately if they had performed especially meritorious service in difficult circumstances. The ribbon’s colours for this immediate-award of the MSM were crimson with white stripes down both edge and the centre. The sovereign, King George V, was shown in the uniform of an Admiral or Field Marshal, signifying that the service was afloat or on land with a Naval Brigade. Since 1977 the Royal Marines’ medal is only awarded for long and meritorious service.