History

The Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was established by King William IV in 1830 to reward soldiers and members of the regular force for exemplary conduct. Initially, 21 years of service in the infantry and 24 years of service in the cavalry was required to be eligible for the award. In 1854, the qualifying period was reduced to 18 years, and then later to 15 years in 1977. During the Second World War, the award of the Silver Medal was expanded to Commissioned Officers who qualified by serving 12 out of 18 years in the ranks. The Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was the first non-campaign medal for the British army.

Since 1940, recipients are entitled to a clasp to denote additional awards.

There are multiple versions of the Medal which differ in obverse design reflecting the changes of reigning monarchs. The first version of the Medal instituted during the reign of King William IV (1930-1837) features an obverse depiction of the shield of house Hanover as well as the date of discharge and award of the Medal. Medals issued during the rule of Queen Victoria (1837-1902) omitted the Hanoverian arms. Due to the long reign of Queen Victoria, second version Medals were issued with different suspension and lettering types and only early Queen Victoria issues were dated. Since 1902, beginning during the reign of King Edward VII, the obverse design featured an effigy of the ruling sovereign.

In 1930, the name of the Medal was changed to the "Military Long Service and Good Conduct Medal" and fixed suspension bars inscribed with "REGULAR ARMY" or the name of the dominion (for India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa) was introduced. South African versions of the medal feature bar and reverse inscriptions in both Afrikaans and English. South African versions of the Medal feature the suspension bar inscription: "STAAGE MAG PERMANENT FORCE."

A variety of suspension styles were used with the Medal. The Medal was also issued both named and unnamed with a variety of naming styles being used. Privately altered versions of the Medal may be encountered.

There may be additional versions of the Medal.