Queen's Gallantry Medal, specimen, 1974

Silver, circular medal with, on the obverse, the crowned head of Queen Elizabeth II, with the inscription, 'Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Regina F.D.' (Elizabeth II By the Grace of God, Queen; 'F.D'. stands for 'Fidei Defensatrix' - Defender of the Faith). On the reverse, the inscription 'The Queen's Gallantry Medal', surmounted by a St Edward's Crown and flanked by laurel sprigs. The medal is suspended from a ribbon with a narrow vertical pink stripe flanked by wider pearl grey and dark blue stripes.

The Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM) is the third highest medal awarded for bravery not in the presence of the enemy, sitting below the George Cross and George Medal. It was instituted in 1974 and replaced the Order of the British Empire for Gallantry and the British Empire Medal for Gallantry.