Each battle or campaign covered by the medal was represented by a clasp on the ribbon; twenty-nine were sanctioned[2] and the maximum awarded to one man was fifteen.

[note 3] The Duke of Richmond, who had fought at Waterloo, was chiefly responsible for the belated institution of the Military General Service Medal for all survivors of the campaigns between 1793 and 1814.

He campaigned in Parliament and also enlisted the interest of Queen Victoria, who persuaded a reluctant Duke of Wellington that junior and non-commissioned officers and private soldiers deserved this recognition.

The earlier Army Gold Medal had been awarded to field and general officers for their successful commands; they were not eligible to claim clasps for the same battle on the MGSM.

The medal, designed by William Wyon, is of silver and 1.4 inches (36 mm) in diameter.