Imperial Service Medal

[SaxyJag]

Does anyone know anything about the ISM? I've googled it, and been to the government websites, but I can't find out very much, other than that it's a long service award.

However, I've known lots of people who worked in the civilian services for much longer than the 26 years my grandad did, yet they haven't got them.

[Lonnie]

I don't know if this has the answers your after, but I hope it helps. www.answers.com/topic/imperial-service-order

[SaxyJag]

Thanks, but no - that's a different one. This is a round medal with the recipient's name around the edge. There are plenty of them around, but I need to know the criteria for getting one.

[kempie]

Although all junior grade civil servants, i.e. non-managerial staff, with 25 years of service (or 16 years for service in adverse conditions) become eligible for the ISM upon completion of their service it is not just awarded for 'time served' but rather for 'eminently meritorious service'.

[SaxyJag]

Well, Grandad was a postman for 26 years, some of those through WW2, so it could be part of the reason. He didn't go to war because the post was a reserved occupation, and he joined the Home Guard instead. However, Mum and her sister say that's a laugh, as he hardly ever went to meetings. Yet I thought he would have been kicked out if he didn't.

Do you think there was more to Grandad than meets the eye (something secret? He was always into puzzles and maps), or could he just have been a particularly good and dedicated postman?