The Queen's Gallantry Medal - For civilian bravery

The Queen's Gallantry Medal ranks below the George Cross and the George Medal for acts ofexemplary bravery by the civilian population. It is also occasionally awarded to military personnel for acts for which military honours would not normally be appropriate (such as acts of exemplary bravery not in presence of the enemy).

Its history

Prior to the coining of the Queen's Gallantry Medal in 1974, acts of bravery not felt to merit the George Cross or George Medal were recognised withan award of the Order of the British Empire. This however was decided to be inappropriate for acts of gallantry which would be better honoured with a specific award. And thus the Queen's Gallantry Medal was born.

You can recognise one of the few recipients (around 600 in total) by theuse of the honorary letters QGM after their name.