This decoration was instituted in 1916 for award to non-commissioned officers and men of the army for individual or associated acts of bravery brought to notice by the recommendation of the Commander-in-Chief in the field.The medal consists of a circular silver badge showing an image of the reigning monarch on the obverse, while the reverse shows the words "FOR/BRAVERY/IN THE/FIELD" in four lines, encircled by a laurel wreath and surmounted by the Royal Cypher and Imperial Crown. The ribbon is dark blue with five equal centre stripes of white, red, white, red and white. Bars can be issued for subsequent acts of exceptional courage under fire.