The Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM) is the third level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.
It was instituted on 20 June 1974 to replace the Order of the British Empire for Gallantry, the British Empire Medal for Gallantry, and the Colonial Police Medal for Gallantry. It therefore ended the rather strange situation whereby the Order of the British Empire for Gallantry was awarded for lesser acts of bravery than the George Medal, but took precedence over it in order of wear and postnominal letters. From 30 November 1977, it has also been awarded posthumously, and thus from that date it also replaced the Queen's Police Medal for Gallantry.
The medal is awarded for "exemplary acts of bravery", and is primarily a civilian medal, although military personnel can receive it too. Recipients may use the post nominal letters "QGM". Just over 1000 medals have been awarded since its inception. The Royal Ulster Constabulary has 120 recipients of the QGM which is almost twice as many awards of the QGM than any other service.
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Famous quotes containing the words queen and/or gallantry:
“In my end is my beginning.”
—Mary, Queen Of Scots (1542–1587)
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—Helen Hayes (1900–1993)