View source for Imperial Service Order

{{Short description|Award to British Empire civil servants on retirement}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox order
|title       = Imperial Service Order
|image       = [[Image:Imperial_Service_Order_Elizabeth_II.gif|150px]]
|caption     = Decoration as worn by gentlemen.
|awarded_by  = [[Charles III]]
|type        = [[Order (decoration)|Order]]
|established = August 1902
|motto       = 
|for         = Nationally important service
|status      = Currently constituted<br />(only in Papua New Guinea)
|head_title  = Sovereign
|head        = [[Charles III]]
|grades      = Companion
|post-nominals=ISO
|image2      = [[Image:ImperialServiceOrderRibbon.gif|90px]]
|caption2    = Ribbon bar of the order
}}
The '''Imperial Service Order''' was established by King [[Edward VII]] in August 1902. It was awarded on retirement to the administration and clerical staff of the [[Civil Service]] throughout the [[British Empire]] for long and meritorious service.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=Imperial_Service_Order |title=National Archives |access-date=26 November 2009 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305084647/http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=Imperial_Service_Order |url-status=dead }}</ref> Normally a person must have served for 25 years to become eligible, but this might be shortened to 16 years for those serving in unhealthy climates abroad. There is one class: Companion. Both men and women are eligible, and recipients of this order are entitled to use the [[post-nominal letters]] 'ISO'.<ref name="duckers">{{cite book|last=Duckers|first=Peter|title=British Orders and Decorations|publisher=Shire Books|year=2004|pages=48–51}}</ref><ref name="hmso">{{cite book|title=Honours and Titles|publisher=[[HMSO]]|year=1996|edition=second|pages=101}}</ref>

==History==
The new order was announced in the [[1902 Coronation Honours]] list published on 26 June 1902, on the day scheduled for the [[coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra]].<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The Coronation Honours |date=26 June 1902 |page=5 |issue=36804}}</ref> The coronation was postponed due to the King's illness, however, and the statutes of the order were published on 8 August 1902, to coincide with the actual coronation on the following day.<ref>Statutes can be read here {{London Gazette |issue=27463 |date=8 August 1902 |page=5171 }}</ref> The first list of recipients was included in the [[1902 Birthday Honours|Birthday Honours]] list published on the King′s birthday 9 November 1902.<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Birthday Honours |date=10 November 1902 |page=10 |issue=36921}}</ref>

==Insignia==
''The insignia of the order for men'' was an eight-pointed silver star, with the top ray obscured by a crown; the golden central medallion bore the [[cipher]] of the reigning monarch surrounded by the legend 'For Faithful Service'. This was suspended on a ribbon of crimson with a blue central stripe.

''The insignia of the order for women'' had the same medallion as for men, surrounded by a silver [[Bay laurel|laurel]] wreath and topped by a crown. This was suspended on a bow of crimson with a blue central stripe.

==Imperial Service Medal==
{{multiple image
 | width = 120
 | header = Imperial Service Medal
 | image1 = Imperial Service Medal obverse.jpg|right|thumb|120px|Obverse of the Imperial Service Medal
 | alt1 = Obverse of the Imperial Service Medal
 | caption1 = Obverse
 | image2 = Imperial Service Medal reverse.jpg|right|thumb|120px|Reverse of the Imperial Service Medal
 | alt2 = Reverse of the Imperial Service Medal
 | caption2 = Reverse
 }}
{{main|Imperial Service Medal}}
[[File:Imperial Service Order 1912.jpg|thumbnail|upright=0.6|ISO as worn by gentlemen (above) and ladies (below)]]
Civil  servants who complete 25 years' service are eligible for the [[Imperial Service Medal]] (ISM) upon retirement. The medal is a silver circular medal bearing the effigy of the reigning monarch on the obverse, and the motif of a man resting after work with the legend 'For Faithful Service' on the reverse. The ribbon or bow pattern is the same as the Imperial Service Order.

==1993 reforms==
During [[1993 reviews of the British honours system|the 1993 reform]] of the [[British honours system]] the British Government decided to make no new appointments to the Imperial Service Order. The Imperial Service Medal, however, continues to be awarded in recognition of certain individuals who make positive contributions.

==Statutes==
The Order is governed by statutes.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/969888/response/2308505/attach/4/The%20Statutues%20of%20the%20Imperial%20Service%20Order%201%201.pdf | title=Statutes of the Imperial Service Order - a Freedom of Information request to Cabinet Office | date=9 April 2023 }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Orders and decorations of the Commonwealth realms]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{British Honours System}}
{{Former Australian Honours}}

[[Category:Civil awards and decorations of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Companions of the Imperial Service Order|*]]
[[Category:Awards established in 1902]]
[[Category:1902 establishments in the British Empire]]
[[Category:Orders, decorations, and medals of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Long and Meritorious Service Medals of Britain and the Commonwealth]]