PRE WW2 IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL GEORGE WILLIAM PENMAN ENGLAND

Description

Offered is an original Imperial Service Medal.

32mm wide circular silver medal with scroll and laterally-pierced ball suspension; the face with the crowned head and shoulders of King George V facing left, circumscribed ‘GEORGIVS V D G BRITT: OMN: REX ET INDIÆ IMP’ (George V by the Grace of God King of Great Britain and Emperor of India), signed ‘BM’ (for Sir Bertram Mackennal, 1863-1931); the reverse with a labourer resting from his toils, seated on a stone bench, the radiant sun rising over a landscape beyond, inscribed ‘FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE’ below; attributed on the edge to GEORGE WILLIAM PENMAN; on original ribbon with London Gazette entry for award, dated 15/12/1931 for services as ‘Overseer, Post Office, Manchester’.

The medal was instituted in August 1902 to recognise long and meritorious service by administrative and clerical Civil Service staff throughout the Empire and was awarded to staff who had completed at least 25 years’ service on retirement. This good example dates from the period after the change from the coinage profile of George V in 1931 and before the change to the head of George VI following the death of George V in 1936. Approximately sixteen thousand such medals were awarded in all.