History

The Service Medal of the Order of St. John was instituted in 1898 as a distinguished service award for members of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. The Silver Medal was initially awarded for 15 years of service to the Order of St John in the United Kingdom, 12 years of service in the dominions, and for 10 years of service in the colonies. The qualifying period was later reduced to 12 years of service in the United Kingdon, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia. The qualifying period of 10 years remained the same for service in other overseas colonies. The Medal also rewards conspicuous service, in which case a silver palm leaf worn on the ribbon was issued with the award up until after the Second World War.

In 1911 a silver clasp inscribed "5 YEARS SERVICE" was introduced to be awarded for an additional 5 years of service. Since 1924, the design of the clasp was altered to depict a superimposed Maltese cross. Silver-gilt clasps were later introduced to reward 27 years of service.

Between 1932 and 1947, the Medal was appropriately awarded with the fixed suspension bars, "MHK" or "VAD" to members of the either Military Hospital Reserve or the Voluntary Aid Detachments.

There are multiple versions of the Medal which differ by composition. The Service Medal of the Order of St. John is the only British medal to retain the effigy of Queen Victoria in current issues, with all versions featuring an obverse effigy of Queen Victoria. The Medal was issued named until 1970. There may be additional versions of the Medal which differ by obverse design and effigy.

Privately altered versions of the Medal may be encountered.

Only Silver Medals with clasps with associated images are featured.