| | | | The Order of Merit
| Founded by King Edward VII on 23rd June 1902, the Order of Merit is a very special distinction, 'given to such persons, subjects of our Crown, as may have rendered exceptionally meritorious service in Our Crown Services or towards the advancement of the Arts, Learning, Literature, and Science or such other exceptional service as We are fit to recognise'.
In spite of the fact that this is a relatively modern Order, it is one of the most coveted of British distinctions. The Order is restricted to twenty-four members as well as additional foreign recipients. As with the Royal Victorian Order, the Order of Merit is in the sole gift of the Sovereign but carries no rank apart from the initials 'OM' after the name.
Among the first to receive this award was Field Marshal Lord Roberts (1902). Since then, holders of this distinction have included Augustus John, Graham Greene, Sir Edward Elgar, E. M. Forster, Sir Winston Churchill, General Eisenhower (Honorary), and Earl Mountbatten of Burma.
The award is also presented to women, recipients having been Florence Nightingale in 1907, Mother Theresa (Honorary) in 1983 and Dame Cicely Saunders in 1989. Margaret Thatcher was awarded the Order of Merit on leaving office as Prime Minister.
The Order only has one class: members are divided into military and civil divisions. The badge is an eight pointed cross of red and blue enamel surmounted by the Imperial Crown. In the centre, upon blue enamel and surmounted with a laurel wreath, are the words 'For Merit' in letters of gold. On the reverse, also surmounted with a laurel wreath is the royal cypher. The badge given for distinguished military service has two silver swords with gold hilts placed saltire-wise between the angles of the cross. The badge is suspended by a ring attached to the top of the crown, fitted with a gold laurel chased loop through which the ribbon, half garter-blue and half-crimson, passes. The Order is worn round the neck by men, and on a bow by women. It is not worn in miniature, but it is correct for the ribbon to be worn when ribbons of other orders, decorations and medals are worn with various uniforms.
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