United Kingdom: The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

Ribbon: Purple.

Instituted: 4 June 1917 by King George V.

Awarded: For services in any realm of activity, including non-combattant military ones.

Grades: Five (Knight/Dame Grand Cross, Knight/Dame Commander, Commander, Officer and Member) plus a Medal, in Civil and Military Divisions.

Post-nominal letters: - Knight/Dame Grand Cross - GBE; Knight Commander - KBE; Dame Commander - DBE; Commander - CBE; Officer - OBE; Member - MBE.

Type 1 (Civil)
1917-35
Type 1 (Military)
1917-35
Type 2 (Civil)
1935 - date
Type 2 (Military)
1935 - date
Collar Sorry - no picture of obverse Sorry - no picture of reverse
Grand Cross: Badge Grand Cross: Badge, Obverse Sorry - no picture of reverse
Grand Cross: Star Grand Cross: Star, Obverse Sorry - no picture of reverse
Grand Cross: Mantle & Hat Sorry - no picture Sorry - no picture
Knight Commander: Badge Knight Commander: Badge, Obverse Knight Commander: Badge, Reverse
Dame Commander: Badge Sorry - no picture of obverse Sorry - no picture of reverse
Knight or Dame Commander: Star Knight or Dame Commander: Star, Obverse Knight or Dame Commander: Star, Reverse
Commander (Male) Commander (Male), Obverse Sorry - no picture of reverse
Commander (Female) Sorry - no picture of obverse Sorry - no picture of reverse
Officer (Male) Officer (Male), Obverse Sorry - no picture of reverse
Officer (Female) Officer (Female), Obverse Sorry - no picture of reverse
Member (Male) Member (Male), Obverse Member (Male), Reverse
Member (Female) Member (Female), Obverse Sorry - no picture of reverse
World Medals Index Text List Ribbon Chart References

Page last updated: 12 September 2023