The George Medal was created by Britain's King George VI, who recognized there was a need to reward acts of bravery in the absence of the enemy for members of the British Commonwealth. The Medal was awarded only for acts of great bravery and was intended primarily for civilians. Awards of the medal to members of the the military were confined to actions for which purely military honours were not normally granted.

The Royal Warrant authorising the award of the George Medal was published in January 1941.