Original British WWII Cased Order of the British Empire 4th Class Military Medal – O.B.E. (MILY) Original Items

Original Items: Only One Available. The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organizations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established on 4 June 1917 by King George V and comprises five classes across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two of which make the recipient either a knight if male or dame if female. There is also the related British Empire Medal, whose recipients are affiliated with, but not members of the order.

Recommendations for appointments to the Order of the British Empire were originally made on the nomination of the United Kingdom, the self-governing Dominions of the Empire (later Commonwealth) and the Viceroy of India. 

This is an excellent condition cased medal, officially called the “Badge”, for the 4th Class of the Order of the British Empire, an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, abbreviated as O.B.E.. This marking is present on the lid of the case, along with (MILY), indicating that this was awarded for military accomplishment, and not civil accomplishment.

The medal inside is suspended from the correct white and red ribbon, with a central white stripe for military issue (the civil issue had no stripe in the middle). The medal itself bears the “King’s Crown” at the top of the “Cross Patonce” shaped design, and in the middle is a circle with the busts of King George V and Queen Mary (of Teck). A circular border surrounds this with the motto of the order: FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE. The reverse has another “King’s Crown” over the GRI monogram (George Rex Imperator) of King George V.

The included case measures 5 1/2″ x 2 7/8″, and has brass hinges and a functional catch. The interior is lined on the top with white satin, bearing the coat of arms of the ROYAL MINT, while the bottom is of white velvet, with an inset for the award.

The medal and case are in very good condition, with the expected age toning and light tarnishing. This is a great chance to pick up a hard to find British WWII Military Award! Ready to display!

History of the Order of the British Empire:

King George V founded the Order to fill gaps in the British honors system:

The Orders of the Garter, Thistle, and of St Patrick honored royals, peers, statesmen, and eminent military commanders;

• The Order of the Bath honored senior military officers and civil servants;
• The Order of St Michael and St George honored diplomats and colonial officials;
• The Order of the Star of India and the Order of the Indian Empire honored Indian rulers and British and Indian officials of the British Indian Empire; and
• The Royal Victorian Order, in the personal gift of the monarch, honored those who had personally served the royal family.

In particular, King George V wished to create an Order to honor many thousands of those who had served in a variety of non-combatant roles during the First World War. When first established, the Order had only one division. However, in 1918, soon after its foundation, it was formally divided into Military and Civil Divisions. The Order’s motto is For God and the Empire.

The original design of the order’s emblem featured the figure of “Britannia” in the middle, however after 1937 the effigies of George V and Mary of Teck have been shown instead.

At the foundation of the Order, the ‘Medal of the Order of the British Empire’ was instituted, to serve as a lower award granting recipients affiliation but not membership. In 1922, this was renamed the ‘British Empire Medal’ (BEM).