British and Commonwealth Orders, Decorations and Medals

Published on 20 November 2008

List of abbreviations

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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