Order of the British Empire

==Gallantry==
[[File:Order of the British Empire for gallantry, oak leaves ribbon emblem.jpg|145px|thumb|right|OBE silver oak-leaf emblem for gallantry]]
Although initially intended to recognise meritorious service, the order began to also be awarded for gallantry. There were an increased number of cases in the [[Second World War]] for service personnel and civilians including the merchant navy, police, emergency services and civil defence, mostly MBEs but with a small number of OBEs and CBEs. Such awards were for gallantry that did not reach the standard of the [[George Medal]], but, as an order, were listed before it on the Order of Wear. Awards for meritorious service usually appear without a citation but there were often citations for gallantry awards, some detailed and graphic.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Abbott, PE |author2=Tamplin, J. M. A. |title=British Gallantry Awards |date=1981 |publisher=Nimrod Dix & Co. |location=[[London]] |isbn=978-0-902633-74-2| at=Chapters 35–38}}</ref> From 14 January 1958, these awards were designated Commander, Officer or Member of the Order of the British Empire for Gallantry.<ref name=LG1958>{{London Gazette|issue=41285|page=365|date=14 January 1958 |supp=y}}</ref>

Any individual made a member of the order for gallantry after 14 January 1958 wears an emblem of two crossed silver oak leaves on the same ribbon as the badge, with a miniature version on the ribbon bar when worn alone. When the ribbon only is worn the emblem is worn in miniature.<ref name=LG1958/> It could not be awarded [[posthumous award|posthumously]], and was replaced in 1974 with the [[Queen's Gallantry Medal]] (QGM). If recipients of the Order of the British Empire for Gallantry received promotion within the order, whether for gallantry or otherwise, they continued to wear also the insignia of the lower grade with the oak leaves.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=56878|page=3353|date=17 March 2003 |supp=y}}</ref> However, they used only the post-nominal letters of the higher grade.