The British Empire Medal was founded in 1917 and was awarded for "meritorious" actions by civilians or military personnel, although the recipients did not attend a royal investiture.
The British Empire Medal was "scrapped" in 1993 by former Conservative Primte Minster John Major, as part of his drive towards a "classless" society. Nearly two decades on Prime Minster David Cameron has announced its revival, and from 2012, to coinside with the Queen's Diamond Jubille about 300 will be awarded annually to community volunteers.
