The Voluntary Medical Service Medal is a medal awarded by the British Red Cross and the Scottish St Andrew's Ambulance Corps. It was instituted in 1932 at the direction of George V.[1]
On the obverse, the medal bears a symbolic representation of Florence Nightingale. The reverse features a design of both Geneva and St Andrew's crosses to denote the two qualifying organisations.
To qualify for the medal, a member must accrue fifteen years' efficient service as a first aid volunteer in either the Red Cross or St Andrew's. One silver emblem, denoting a St Andrew's or Geneva cross (depending on the awardee's organisation) is added to the medal ribbon to denote 20 years of service; thereafter, two and then three silver emblems can be attached to indicate 25 and 30 years of service. Up to four gold emblems can replace the silver type to denote 35, 40, 45 and 50 years of service in the appropriate voluntary organisation.