Merit, Order of

British order (see knighthood, order of), instituted in 1902 and limited in number to 24 men and women of eminence. It confers no precedence or knighthood.

The ribbon is blue and red. There are both military or civil classes, the badge of the former having crossed swords and the latter oak leaves. Members place the letters OM after their names, following the first class of the Order of the Bath and preceding the letters designating membership of the inferior classes of the Bath and all classes of the remaining orders of knighthood. An Indian Order of Merit was instituted in 1837 for Indian officers and other ranks.