Medal
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Awarded for meritorious civil or military service, typically at a local or community level.
BEM
Awarded over time
British Empire Medal (BEM) appointments by year.
honoria.co.ukTopics
All topicsThe topics most recognised among British Empire Medal (BEM) recipients, sized by number of people. Click a tile to explore.
Topics by number of recipients
Every topic recognised among British Empire Medal (BEM) recipients, by number of people. Scroll for the full list.
Honours rounds
Rounds that included this award - open one to see the recipients.
| Year | Honours list | Recipients |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 673 | |
| 2025 | 700 | |
| 2024 | 711 | |
| 2023 | 680 | |
| 2022 | 717 | |
| 2021 | 772 | |
| 2020 | 886 | |
| 2019 | 684 | |
| 2018 | 662 | |
| 2017 | 646 | |
| 2016 | 670 | |
| 2015 | 587 | |
| 2014 | 629 | |
| 2013 | 581 | |
| 2012 | 293 |
The British Empire Medal is a British and Commonwealth award for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown. The current honour was created in 1922 to replace the original medal, which had been established in 1917 as part of the Order of the British Empire.
Background from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
At a glance
- Established
- 1922 by King George V
- Awarding body
- The British Crown
- Rank
- British Empire Medal
- Formal title
- None
Overview
Recognises dedication and contribution to community or service organisations.
Eligibility
UK citizens and Commonwealth nationals
- Community service
- Charitable work
- Public service
Local or community level
Rank & Precedence
British Empire Medal - Below MBE
- Above: None
- Below: Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Entitlements
- Post-nominal letters
- BEM
- Formal title
- None
- Insignia
- Medal and ribbon
Award Process
- Public or organisation nominations
- Honours committee review
- Approved by the Sovereign
Announced: New Year Honours and King's Birthday Honours
Ceremony at royal residence
Significance
Meritorious local service
- Community
- Service
- Commitment
Sources & further reading
- Honours: overview - GOV.UK
- Awards and accreditation - The Gazette
- British Empire Medal - Wikipedia
Honoria is an independent reference. Awards are described from public sources; it is not an official or royal body.
Linked data
A medal associated with the Order of the British Empire, awarded for meritorious hands-on service to the community; post-nominal BEM. Discontinued in the United Kingdom in 1993 and revived in 2012.
- Canonical URI
- honoria.co.uk/id/honours/british-empire-medal
- Post-nominal
- BEM
- Wikidata
- Q918601
From the Honoria honours vocabulary (SKOS). exactMatch = Wikidata; closeMatch = The Gazette honours ontology (official but a 2008–2015 beta).