History

The Military Medal was established by Royal Warrant on March 25, 1916, and was created as a lesser companion to the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The Silver Medal was awarded to military personnel of Commonwealth nations and British colonies. The Medal was awarded until 1993 when it was permanently discontinued and replaced by the Military Cross.

The Medal was awarded to Non-Commissioned Officers and enlisted men of the British Army in recognition of acts of bravery during active service, but which did not merit the Distinguished Conduct Medal. In 1916, it was extended to women, and in 1920 it was extended to all branches of the British Armed Forces and equivalent ranks in foreign armed forces.

The Medal could be awarded multiple times to the same recipient, in which case a clasp was worn on the ribbon to denote each additional award. Recipients were entitled to use the post-nominal letters MM after 1918.

There are multiple versions of the medal that differ in the obverse engraving, and the obverse and reverse inscriptions. All medals were issued named, although both the typeface and the style of the inscription changed over time. Medals awarded during the First World War to foreign recipients were unnamed.

There may be additional versions that differ in size.