Priory of Canada€¦ · Chancellor’s Commendation or a Provincial Chair’s Chair’s...

The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of

St. John of Jerusalem

Priory of Canada

WEARING YOUR MEDALS: A GUIDE

2010

THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN

SOVEREIGN HEADHer Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

GRAND PRIORHis Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester

KG, GCVO, GCStJ

PRIOR OF CANADAThe Governor General of Canada

St. John Ambulance CanadaNational Office

Suite 400, 1900 City Park DriveOttawa, ON K1J 1A3

2010

Page iWearing Your Medals: A Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction .............................................................................................................1

Full Evening Dress - White Tie and Tails or Long Evening Dress .........................2

Evening Dress - Dinner Jacket or Long Evening Dress .........................................2

Morning Dress ........................................................................................................3

Business Attire ........................................................................................................4

Uniforms .................................................................................................................5

Grand Cross ............................................................................................................6

Robes of the Order ..................................................................................................8

Lapel Badges ...........................................................................................................8

Overcoats ................................................................................................................8

Medal Mounting Styles - Medal Bars .....................................................................9

Post-nominal Designations .....................................................................................9

Insignia of the Order ............................................................................................10

Frequently Asked Questions .................................................................................11

Further Reading ....................................................................................................11

Page ii Wearing Your Medals: A Guide

Foreword

This short guide is intended to help members of the Order of St. John and recipients of the Service Medal of the Order of St. John and other awards bestowed upon members of St. John Ambulance to understand better the when, where and how to wear their medals and insignia.

The Order of St. John and the Service Medal of the Order of St. John are awarded by The Queen in Right of Canada and are official Canadian honours. They constitute some of the oldest elements of the Canadian honours system. Awards such as the Chancellor’s Commendation and Provincial Chair’s Commendation are awarded under the authority of the Priory of Canada and may be worn with officially granted honours in the Canadian honours system. These honours and awards are worn on the left side of your coat or dress, commonly known as the “Crown” side, as these honours have been officially sanctioned by the Crown or are officially recognized.

Other awards such as the Life-Saving Medal of the Order and Donat insignia are internal awards that have no national status. As we shall see, these should only be worn at Order of St. John events on the right side of the dress or coat. They are not to be mounted with officially granted honours or medals as they have not been sanctioned by the Crown and carry no official status.

Christopher McCreery, SBStJPriory HistorianO T T A W A

June 2010

Wearing Your Medals: A Guide

Introduction

Why Should I Wear My Medals?

You have been officially recognized by the Crown for your service in one area or another. Your decorations are an outward display of not only your service but the honour that has been accorded to you by your country. You have been recognized in part to serve as an example to other citizens, and wearing your medals is one way of serving as an example. Wearing your medals also raises the visibility of the Order and provides an important service in this manner.

Why Should I Follow These Rules?

The rules for wearing orders, decorations, medals and other awards exist to help you know what to wear and when to wear it. Unfortunately there are some people who believe that “I earned this award; therefore, I can wear it any way I want.” Sadly this is a misinformed attitude that often leaves the person looking like a trumped-up dictator desperate to look important.

By following these rules you are showing respect for the Crown and the many other members of the Order and recipients of the Service Medal. These rules are not unique to the Order of St. John. They are Canadian rules which have come to us through Commonwealth tradition and international custom.

When Should I Wear My Medals?

There are specific occasions when you may wear your orders, decorations and medals. How you wear your medals is usually dictated by what order of dress you are wearing, whether it be a business suit, long evening dress or dinner jacket (tuxedo). When you are invited to an event it will usually say what you should wear; such notifications are usually included on the bottom of the invitation card. It will often say something along the lines of “Business Attire with Full-size Decorations” “Black tie, long dress with Miniatures (or Decorations).”

There is no rule preventing you from wearing your medals 24 hours a day, even on your pyjamas; however, common sense should prevail. The invitation will usually indicate if medals are to be worn. When in doubt, just keep your medals in your pocket until you arrive at an event. Then, if you find it is an event at which medals are to be worn you can pin them on.

Full-Size Medals or Miniature Medals?

The general rule to follow is that FULL-SIZE medals are worn DURING THE DAY, while MINIATURE SIZE medals are worn DURING THE EVENING.

Full-size medals are those officially presented to a person by the Crown. These are worn during the daytime, while miniature medals are typically worn during the evening with formal dress. Miniature medals are small replicas of the full-size insignia and are purchased privately.


Full Evening Dress - White Tie and Tails or Long Evening Dress

Men (White Tie and Tails)

The miniature insignia of all orders, decorations and medals should be worn suspended from a medal bar attached to the left lapel of the coat. Only one full-size neck badge should be worn, suspended from a miniature-width ribbon, so that the badge hangs 2.5 cm below the bow/knot. The sash of the Order is worn over the right shoulder underneath the tailcoat, but over the waistcoat/vest, with the badge resting on the hip. Up to four breast stars may be worn on the left side of the tailcoat.

Women (Long Evening Dress)

The miniature insignia of all orders, decorations and medals should be worn suspended from a medal bar attached to the left side of the dress. The sash of the Order is worn over the right shoulder, overtop of the dress. Up to four breast stars may be worn on the left side of the dress. Only one full-size neck badge should be worn . This should be wron on a bow above the medal bar on the left shoulder. Commendations are not worn with this order of dress.

Evening Dress - Dinner Jacket or Long Evening Dress

Men (Black Tie)

The miniature insignia of all orders, decorations and medals should be worn suspended from a medal bar attached to the left lapel of the coat.

Only one full-size neck badge should be worn, suspended from a miniature-width ribbon. The ribbon is worn under the shirt collar so that the badge hangs 2.5 cm below the bow/knot. A miniature of this badge should be included in those worn on the medal bar. Only one star of an order should be worn on the left side of the coat.

Persons who have been awarded a Chancellor’s Commendation or a Provincial Chair’s Commendation wear the full-size commendation bar 2.5 cm below their group of miniature medals. A maximum of four commendation bars may be worn at any given time. Commendations are not worn when a Knight of Justice/Grace is wearing his breast star.


The miniature insignia of all orders, decorations and medals should be worn suspended from a medal bar attached to the left side of the dress. If in possession of only one such award, it may be worn on a bow.

Only one full-size neck badge should be worn. This should be worn on a bow above the medal bar on the left shoulder. In place of a bow women are permitted to wear one full-size neck badge around the neck on miniature size ribbon. Only one star of an order should be worn on the left size of the dress.

Persons who have been awarded a Chancellor’s Commendation or a Provincial Chair’s

Commendation wear the full-size commendation bar 2.5 cm below their group of miniature medals. A maximum of four Commendation bars may be worn at any given time. Commendations are not worn when a Dame of Justice/Grace is wearing her breast star.

Dinner Jacket (Tuxedo)

Lady wearing miniatures Insignia on a bow, miniatures may also be worn


Morning Dress

Men (Tailcoat or Director’s Short Black Coat)

Those full-size orders, decorations and medals that are suspended from the medal bar are worn attached to the left side of the coat.

Only one full-size neck badge should be worn, suspended from a full-width ribbon. The ribbon is worn under the shirt collar so that the badge rests immediately below the knot of the tie.

Up to four stars of orders may be worn on the tailcoat, and only one star on the Director’s Short Black Coat, attached to the left side below the insignia on the medal bar.

Persons who have been awarded a Chancellor’s Commendation or a Provincial

Chair’s Commendation wear the full-size commendation bar 2.5 cm below their group of full-size medals. A maximum of four commendation bars may be worn at any given time. Commendations are not worn when a Knight of Justice/Grace is wearing his breast star.

Women (Afternoon Dress)

Those full-size orders, decorations and medals that are suspended from a medal bar are worn attached to the left side of the dress. If in possession of only one such award, it may be worn on a bow.

Only one full-size neck badge should be worn. This should be worn on a bow above the medal bar on the left shoulder. In place of a bow, women are permitted to wear one full-size neck badge around the neck on full-width ribbon for clothing without a collar and with the full-size ribbon on clothing with a full collar.

Only one star of an order should be worn on the left side of the dress below all other insignia.

Persons who have been awarded a Chancellor’s Commendation or a Provincial Chair’s Chair’s Commendation wear the

full-size commendation bar 2.5 cm below their group of full-size medals. A maximum of four commendation bars may be worn at any given time.

Commendations are not worn when a Dame of Justice/Grace is wearing her breast star.

Lady in Dress

Director’s Short Black Coat

Tailcoat

Lady in Suit


Business Attire

Men (Business Suit)

Those full-size orders, decorations and medals that are suspended from a medal bar are worn attached to the left side of the coat.

Only one neck badge should be worn, suspended from a full-width ribbon. The ribbon is worn under the shirt collar so that the badge rests on the tie, immediately below the knot. The stars of orders should not be worn with business suits.

Persons who have been awarded a Chancellor’s Commendation or a Provincial Chair’s Commendation wear the full-size commendation bar 2.5 cm below their group of full-size medals.

A maximum of four commendation bars may be worn at any given time.

Women (Dress or Suit)

When attending a function where men are wearing business suits, women should wear their full-size orders, decorations and medals from a medal bar on the left side of the outfit.

Only one full-size neck badge should be worn. This should be worn on a bow above the medal bar on the left shoulder or at the neck on a full-width ribbon. The stars of orders should not be worn on these occasions.

Persons who have been awarded a Chancellor’s commendation or a Provincial Chair’s commendation wear the full-size commendation bar 2.5 cm below their group of full-size medals.

A maximum of four commendation bars may be worn at any given time.

NOTE: Miniatures can be worn on business attire for semi-formal evening events.

Business AttireMiniature Medals

(Evening)

Business AttireFull-size Medals

(Daytime)

Business AttireMiniature Medals

(Evening)

Business AttireFull-size Medals

(Afternoon)


UniformsAs there are many different types of uniforms that can be worn, this section provides a general overview of how to wear your medals with various uniforms.

Members of other uniformed organizations, such as the Canadian Forces, Police Forces, the Corps of Commissionaires, etc., should wear the insignia of their orders, decorations and medals as laid down in the dress regulations of the organization to which they belong.

St. John Ambulance Open-Neck Tunic (worn when Business Attire or Morning Dress is called for)

Those full-size orders, decorations and medals that are suspended from a medal bar are worn attached to the left side of the tunic. Miniatures are not worn with this dress.

Two neck badges may be worn, suspended from a full-width ribbon. The senior neck decoration is worn at the neck, with the ribbon worn under the shirt collar so that the badge rests on the tie, immediately below the knot. The second neck decoration is worn with the full-width ribbon protruding from the top button hole. Up to four stars of orders can be worn on the left breast of the tunic.

Persons who have been awarded a Chancellor’s Commendation or a Provincial Chair’s Commendation wear the full-size commendation bar in the middle of the pocket on the left side of the tunic. If more than one Commendation is held, then they are spaced evenly above each other in the middle of the pocket on the left side of the tunic. A maximum of four commendation bars may be worn at any given time.

Commendations are not worn when a Knight/Dame of Justice/Grace is wearing his or her breast star.

Brigade Uniform with Knight’s Insignia and Medal Group

Brigade Uniform with Service Medal and Commendation

Brigade Uniform with TwoNeck Badges and Commendation

Canadian Forces Uniform with Two Neck Badges and Star


St. John Ambulance Mess Dress (worn when Black Tie or Dinner Jacket is called for)The miniature insignia of all orders, decorations and medals should be worn suspended from a medal bar attached to the left lapel of the mess dress jacket.

Only one full-size neck badge should be worn, suspended from a miniature-width ribbon. The ribbon is worn under the shirt collar so that the badge hangs 2.5 cm below the bow/knot. A miniature of this badge should be included in those worn on the medal bar. Up to four stars may be worn on the left side of the coat.

Persons who have been awarded a Chancellor’s Commendation or a Provincial Chair’s Commendation wear the full-size commendation bar 2.5 cm below their group of miniature medals. A maximum of four commendation bars may be worn evenly spaced.Commendations are not worn when a Knight/Dame of Justice/Grace is wearing his or her breast star.

High-Neck Tunic (worn by the RCMP, Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and other police services)

Those full-size orders, decorations and medals that are suspended from a medal bar, are worn attached to the left side of the tunic.

Up to three neck badges may be worn, suspended from a full-width ribbon. The senior neck decoration is worn at the neck, with the ribbon worn inside the collar of the tunic in such a way that the badge hangs out with approximately 2.5 cm of ribbon protruding from the collar. The second and third neck decorations are worn with the full-width ribbon protruding from the second and third button holes respectively. Up to four stars of orders can be worn on the left breast of the tunic.

Commendations are worn on the pocket as they are with a open-neck tunic. Commendations are not worn when a Knight/Dame of Justice/Grace is wearing his or her breast star.

Grand CrossBailiffs and Dames Grand Cross of the Order are invested with a sash with a badge and a breast star. Depending on the occasion, the sash and breast star are worn in different manners.

Full Evening Dress

Men

The sash of the Order is worn over the right shoulder underneath the tailcoat, over the waistcoat/vest, with the badge resting on the hip. Up to four breast stars may be worn on the left side of the tailcoat. Only one full-size neck badge should be worn. Miniature medals are worn on the left lapel. Commendations are not worn with this order of dress.

High-Neck Tunicwith Three Neck Badges and

Full-size Medal Group

Mess Dress with Neck Badge, Miniatures & Commendation; (breast star

may be worn in place)


Full Evening Dress

Women

The sash of the Order is worn over the right shoulder, overtop of the dress. Up to four breast stars may be worn on the left side. The miniature insignia of all orders, decorations and medals should be worn suspended from a medal bar attached to the left side of the dress. Only one full-size neck badge should be worn. This should be worn on a bow above the medal bar on the left shoulder. Commendations are not worn with this order of dress.

Men (Dinner Jacket)

If you do not already have a decoration that is worn at the neck, it is permissible to wear the sash badge of the Order around the neck, as the sash is not worn with black tie. The sash badge is detached from the sash and hung from a miniature ribbon. The ribbon is worn under the shirt collar so that the badge hangs 2.5 cm below the bow. A miniature of this badge should be included in those miniature medals worn on the medal bar. Only one full-size neck badge should be worn. The star is worn on the left side of the coat.


If you do not already have a decoration worn at the neck then you may wear the sash badge of the Order on a full-size bow. The star is worn on the left side. A miniature of this badge should be included along with the miniature medals worn on the medal bar.

Morning Dress

Men (Tailcoat or Short Director’s Jacket)

A sash cannot be worn with morning dress. The star is worn on the left side. Up to four stars may be worn on a tailcoat, while only one star may be worn on a short director’s jacket.

Women

The full sash is not worn by ladies for Morning Dress events. However, the breast star is attached to the left side.

Business Attire (Men and Women)

No Grand Cross insignia is worn (i.e. not the sash, sash badge nor star).

Uniforms

The full sash is worn over the right shoulder on the outside of the uniform (under the shoulder strap where appropriate), with the badge of the Order resting on the left hip. The breast star is attached to the centre of the pocket on the left breast. Up to four breast stars may be worn.

Grand Cross Sash with Badge and Breast Star


Robes of the OrderIn Canada, the robes of the Order (sometimes referred to as mantles) are usually only worn at investitures of the Order and certain Priory events. They should not be worn unless expressly called for.

The robes can be worn over business attire, morning suits, long dresses and uniforms. The robes cannot be worn over a dinner jacket or overcoat. Do not pin your medals to the robes; they should be worn underneath, attached to the jacket or dress that you are wearing.

If wearing the robes along with the sopra vest, full-size or miniature medals are not worn. However, undress-ribbons are worn on the sopra vest above the white cross in the middle of the chest.

Lapel Badges

Men and Woman

Included in the insignia of some orders and decorations is a lapel badge or boutonniere. This badge may be worn on the left lapel of the coat with any order of dress at any time when full-size or miniature insignia or the undress ribbon are not worn.

Women may wear this badge in a similar position on the dress or jacket. Only one such badge should be worn at a time.

Thus if an individual is a member of the Order of St. John, has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and has also been awarded a Chancellor or Provincial Chair Commendation, he or she will wear only one at any given time.

Overcoats

Men and Woman

Only those full-size orders, decorations and medals mounted on a medal bar should be worn on an overcoat at outdoor functions, such as Remembrance Day. Neither neck badges nor stars of orders should be worn (a neck badge may be worn underneath).

Generally, orders, decorations and medals should not be worn on an overcoat as they are much more vulnerable to becoming wet and damaged.

Overcoat with Medals Affixedwith Neck Badge Worn Underneath

Man wearing Lapel Badgeon Jacket

Lady wearing Lapel Badge on Dress


Medal Mounting Styles - Medal BarsOrders, decorations and medals should be mounted in the “Court Style.” This is sometimes referred to as Court Mounting or Royal Court Mounting.

The practice of swing mounting medals has gradually been phased out over the past two decades. If you only possess one order, decoration or medal then it is permissible for you to wear this swing mounted (as you received it). However, if you have more than one order, decoration or medal that is worn on the breast you should have them court mounted.

Medal mounting can be arranged by most tailors or military kit shops. It is your responsibility to have your medals mounted.

Post-nominal Designations

The post-nominal designations associated with the Order of St. John are intended for use within the Order only. Thus, it is improper for you to include such designations on your letterhead, business cards, etc. If you are writing to a fellow member of the Order or to a St. John Ambulance Office, it is permissible to use your post-nominals.

Bailiffs and Dames Grand Cross ...........GCStJKnights of Grace/Justice ........................KStJDames of Grace/Justice ..........................DStJCommanders ...........................................CStJOfficers ...................................................OStJServing Brothers .....................................SBStJServing Sisters ........................................SSStJ

These post-nominal designations are the same in English and in French.

EXAMPLES: Within the Order Janet Smith, CM, DStJ, MD or Sam Jones, OStJ, CD

General Use (St. John post-nominals omitted) Janet Smith, CM, MD or Sam Jones, CD

Medals mounted“Swing Style”

Medals mounted “Court Style”


Insignia of the Order

Bailiff or DameGrand Cross

Knight or Dameof Justice

Officer Member

Service Medal

Chancellor’sCommendation

Bar and Pin

Knight or Dameof Grace

Commander

Provincial Chair’sCommendation

Bar and Pin


Frequently Asked QuestionsQ: Why should I follow these rules? If I was awarded a medal or decoration I should be able to wear it any way I

want!A: TRUE; however, specific rules have been adopted to provide some uniformity in the wearing of orders,

decorations, medals and other awards. It is disrespectful to the Crown and to the Order to intentionally disregard these rules.

Q: Can I wear medals awarded to a deceased relative?A: NO. Wearing medals that you are not entitled to is illegal, even if you wear them on the right side of your coat

or dress.Q: I was promoted from being an Officer of the Order of St. John to being a Commander. Can I continue to wear

my Officer’s insignia?A: NO. When you are promoted within the Order you are required to cease wearing the insignia of the lower

level.Q: Can I wear miniature medals on a business suit?A: YES. But only in the evening.Q: How many lapel badges can I wear at the same time?A: ONE at a time is the maximum number you should wear.Q: Should I have my Order of St. John Life-Saving Medal (or Donat insignia) mounted with my other medals (such

as the Service Medal of the Order of St. John)?A: NO. The Life-Saving Medal of the Order and the Donat are not official national honours and should not be worn

in conjunction with official decorations. The Life-saving Medal of the Order and the Donat are to be worn on the right side of your coat or dress at St. John events only.

Q: I was awarded a medal by a foreign government; can I wear it with my regular medals?A: MAYBE. You can only wear Commonwealth and foreign honours with your Canadian decorations if the award

has been approved by the Government of Canada. Q: Can I wear my Order of St. John lapel badge at non-Order of St. John events?A: YES. You can wear your Order of St. John lapel badge at any time when you are not wearing your full-size or

miniature medals. Make sure to only wear one lapel badge at a time. Q: Can ladies wear the robes of the Order?A: YES. Since 1973 ladies have been permitted to wear the robes of the Order. Q: Can I wear more than one neck badge at a time?A: MAYBE. Only if you are wearing an open-neck uniform or high collared tunic. Multiple neck badges cannot be

worn if you are wearing a dinner jacket, business suit, morning suit or mess dress. Q: Can ladies wear insignia around the neck?A: YES. Since 1997 ladies have been permitted to wear one insignia around the neck, in place of a bow on the

shoulder. Q: Can ladies wear more than one insignia around the neck?A: NO. A maximum of one insignia is permitted to be worn around the neck unless the individual is wearing a

uniform.

Further ReadingThe Canadian Honours System (Toronto: Dundurn Press, 2005)

The Maple Leaf and the White Cross: A History of St. John Ambulance and the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in Canada (Toronto: Dundurn Press, 2008)

The Beginner’s Guide to Canadian Honours (Toronto: Dundurn Press, 2008)

A Guide to the Wearing of Orders, Decorations, Miniatures and Medals with Dress other than Uniform (London: Central Chancellery of the Orders of Knighthood, St. James Palace, 1987)

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