Медаль была учреждена то ли в 1931, то ли в 1932 году. Большинство литературы говорит, что в 1932, однако один исследователь-фалерист в Journal of the Orders and Medals Research Society (OMRS) написал, что в 1931.
Полный текст на английском:
THE VOLUNTARY MEDICAL SERVICE MEDAL
Periodically, the London Gazette publishes a supplement - the latest one is dated June, 1954 - giving a list of all the British orders, decorations, and medals, showing their precedence and the order in which they are worn. This list, of course, begins with Victoria Cross and finishes with the South Africa War Service Medal. Immediately before this last medal comes the little-known Voluntary Medical Service Medal, a beautiful silver piece, which is now reaching the hands of the collector more frequently than in the past. The medal, which was designed by Percy Metcalfe and first awarded by King George V in 1931, is presented by the British Red Cross Society and by the St. Andrew’s Ambulance Association of Scotland to their members who, having qualified each year in accordance with the rules for efficiency of each body, have had fifteen years service; a bar, as shown in the illustration, is given for each further five five years’ service. The diameter of the me& al and the width of the ribbon are both 1;1/2 inches. The obverse of the medal shows an allegorical portrayal of Florence Nightingale, as "The Lady with the Lamp," and the reverse gives the Crosses of St. Andrew and of Geneva, representing the St. Andrew’s Association of Scotland and the British Red Cross Society, respectively. The colors of the ribbon also represent the two bodies, having in the center the red and white of the British Red Cross Society and at each edge the buff-and-red of the Scottish Ambulance Association. Until about 1953, about 250 of these medals were awarded annually, but owing to the large intake during World War II, a larger number of members is now completing the fifteen years service in order to qualify for the medal, which is impressed with the recipient’s name.
A. F. Flatow
THE MEDAL COLLECTOR
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