King's College London
Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives

List of abbreviations - British and Commonwealth orders, decorations and medals

AEA

Air Efficiency Award (Officers only)

AFC

Air Force Cross

AFM

Air Force Medal

AM

Albert Medal

ARRC

Associate, Royal Red Cross

BEM

British Empire Medal

BGM

Burma Gallantry Medal

CB

Companion, The Most Honourable Order of the Bath

CBE

Commander, The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

CC

Companion of the Order of Canada

CD

Canadian Forces Decoration

CGC

Conspicuous Gallantry Cross

CGM

Conspicuous Gallantry Medal

CH

The Order of the Companions of Honour

CI

The Imperial Order of the Crown of India

CIE

Companion, The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire

CM

Canada Medal

CMG

Companion, The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George

CPM

Colonial Police Medal for Gallantry

CPMSM

Colonial Police Meritorious Service Medal

CSC

Conspicuous Service Cross

CSI

Companion, The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India

CVO

Commander, The Royal Victorian Order

DBE

Dame Commander, The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

DCB

Dame Commander, The Most Honourable Order of the Bath

DCM

Distinguished Conduct Medal

DCM

Royal West African Frontier Force Distinguished Conduct Medal

DCM

King’s African Rifles Distinguished Conduct Medal

DCMG

Dame Commander, The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George

DCVO

Dame Commander, The Royal Victorian Order

DFC

Distinguished Flying Cross

DFM

Distinguished Flying Medal

DSC

Distinguished Service Cross

DSM

Distinguished Service Medal

DSO

Companion of the Distinguished Service Order

ED

Efficiency Decoration

EGM

Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Gallantry

EM

Edward Medal

ERD

Emergency Reserve Decoration (Army)

GBE

Knights Grand Cross, The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

GC

George Cross

GCB

Knights Grand Cross, The Most Honourable Order of the Bath

GCIE

Knight Grand Commander, The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire

GCMG

Knights Grand Cross, The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George

GCSI

Knight Grand Commander, The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India

GCVO

Knights Grand Cross, The Royal Victorian Order

GM

George Medal

IDSM

Indian Distinguished Service Medal

IOM

Indian Order of Merit (Military)

IOM

Indian Order of Merit (Civil)

ISO

Imperial Service Order

KB/Kt

Knight Bachelor

KBE

Knight Commander, The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

KCB

Knight Commander, The Most Honourable Order of the Bath

KCIE

Knight Commander, The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire

KCMG

Knight Commander, The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George

KCSI

Knight Commander, The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India

KCVO

Knight Commander, The Royal Victorian Order

KG

Knight, Most Noble Order of the Garter

KP

Knight, Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick

KPFSM

King’s Police and Fire Services Medal for Gallantry

KPFSM

King’s Police and Fire Services Medal for Distinguished Service

KPM

King’s Police Medal for Gallantry

KPM

King’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service

KT

Knight, Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle

LVO

Lieutenant, The Royal Victorian Order

MBE

Member, The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

MC

Military Cross

MM

Military Medal

MSM

Meritorious Service Medal

MVO

Member, The Royal Victorian Order

OB

Order of Burma (Gallantry)

OB

Order of Burma (Distinguished Service)

OBE

Officer, The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

OBI

Order of British India

OM

Order of Merit

QFSM

Queen’s Fire Service Medal for Gallantry

QFSM

Queen’s Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service

QGM

Queen’s Gallantry Medal

QPM

Queen’s Police Medal for Gallantry

QPM

Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service

QSM

Queen’s Service Medal (New Zealand)

QSO

Queen’s Service Order (New Zealand)

RD

Royal Naval and Royal Marine Forces Reserve Decoration

RRC

Royal Red Cross

RVM

Royal Victorian Medal

SGM

Sea Gallantry Medal

TD

Territorial Decoration

UD

Ulster Defence Regiment Medal (Officers only)

VC

Victoria Cross

VD

Volunteer Officers’ Decoration

VRD

Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Officers’ Decoration

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