The Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry, established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. It comprises five classes across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two of which make the recipient either a knight if male or dame if female. King George V founded the order to fill gaps in the British honors system.
Members of the military division were given a rose-pink ribbon as a replacement for purple, with a scarlet stripe down the center.
Description: A member wears a silver badge (2 inches wide) on the left breast (no enamels). For mounting, a ring is attached to the top of the crown through which a larger ring passes.
Medal obverse: Original Badge, A cross patonce (four arms with three points on each arm) of silver-gilt (silver covering on medal) with the arms enameled pearl-grey, surmounted by an Imperial Crown. The circular center, in gold, shows the figure of Britannia, holding a trident and seated beside a shield bearing the national flag. The center is surrounded by a circular band, enameled crimson and bearing the motto FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE in gold.
On the reverse, there is a rope circle with the current Royal Cypher, surmounted by an Imperial Crown and with a hallmark on the lower limb.
Historical notes: On 09 March 1937, the insignia and ribbon were changed. After 01 January 1958, gallantry awards were recognized with silver oak leaves.
There have been a total of 2,726 MBEs issued to Canadians; 859 civil and 1,867 military. Information on the (MBE) obtained from Veterans Affairs Canada.