STOP PRESS: Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
The Government have agreed that there should be a fresh review of the rules governing the award of military medals. This will be conducted by an independent reviewer with full consultation with interested parties. The scope of the review and who is to lead it are expected to be announced shortly.
The review, which was announced by the Prime Minister at the end of April, aims to consult widely with interested parties, including serving men and women and veterans, before publishing its findings later this year.
The review is being led by veteran diplomat Sir John Holmes, a former ambassador to Paris and Lisbon as well as the UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator.
One of the aspects Sir John will look at is the ‘five years’ rule’ – a long-standing policy that no new medal can be introduced for events that happened more than five years ago, nor can an individual act be recognised more than five years later.
The principal scope of the review is to look at campaign decorations, not gallantry awards or Long Service and Good Conduct Medals. (NDM Note: Long Service is open for debate)
Although he will not be making recommendations on specific campaigns, Sir John will be able to consider how the existing policy has affected previous campaign service medals – which has already given hope to some Arctic veterans that they might finally be honoured with a medal.
But the review is equally concerned with future policy, and the team is keen to canvass opinions, so if you wish to comment, please contact:
Medals Review Team
Cabinet Office
Room 2.23
26 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2WH
Tel: 020 7276 1237/1311, or email medalsreview@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk
VETERANS BADGE and MEDAL CAMPAIGNS.
H M Armed Forces Veterans Lapel Badge.
Free (on application to the Veterans Agency) to all Men and Women who Served in HM Armed Forces up to and including 31st December 1984.
It is regretted that the Badge cannot be issued posthumously as it is a Survivors Badge which is to be worn on civilian clothing.
Application form is available for downloading from the Veterans Agency website.
Postal: Veterans Agency (Veterans Badge), Thornton Cleveleys, Norcross, Blackpool. FY5 3WP.
E Mail: help@veteransagency.gsi.goc.uk Fax:01253 330561.
Free helpline: 0800 169 2277 (UK only). 44 1253 866043 (overseas).
Campaign for a Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Over the years, despite various representations ex National Servicemen have requested a form of recognition for their service to this country. All Governments of the day, irrespective of their political persuasion have refused such requests stating that if a National Serviceman served in an operational theatre they would receive recognition in that way. Needless to say this left thousands of personnel carrying out their National Service with no State recognition whatsoever.
Next year, 2012, is the sixtieth year of our current Monarch’s reign and no doubt in recognition of that, along with Her Majesty’s 25th Silver Jubilee and 50th Golden Jubilee a medal to record this auspicious occasion will be awarded.
With the Silver Jubilee Medal there was a definitive restriction on the number awarded, by the time of the Golden Jubilee more medals were awarded. Would it not be a gesture of recognition if for the Diamond Jubilee we could honour not only our current, serving Forces Personnel but all those men and women who have served Her Majesty in the past.
Obviously in these financially restricted times to do so would be an unbearable financial outlay. So bearing that in mind the following is proposed:
1. Honour those serving at present with the award of the Diamond Jubilee Medal.
2.Allow all those who have served previously for a minimum of 2 years with the option of purchasing the medal. Therefore including National Servicemen who served their full time.
3. Those who purchase the medal would be able to wear same at all official functions and from that purchase money �1.00 would be donated from the company selling the medal to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
By taking this course of action the benefits are:
1. Finally, recognition to all those National Servicemen and all other ex-service personnel who have served Her Majesty during her glorious reign.
2. No cost to the Government.
3. A substantial amount of money raised for The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal which could run into hundreds of thousands of pounds, thereby helping other ex-service personnel and their dependants in their hour of need.
4. Relatively secure employment for those employed in the medal companies.
The organisers are looking for as much support as possible so any that you can give either individually or collectively would be greatly appreciated.
Pass it on, post on forums, send to the newspapers, whatever you feel will help. Thanking you in Anticipation,
The Brotherhood
Someone has to stand the line,
In peace or in a war.
But distance from the battlefield,
Was not how we kept score.
Duty, honour, country,
Is what we did and more.
For we are one together,
And that is worth fighting for.
The brotherhood is not about,
The ones who faced the fight.
Its all about the ones who served,
And did what they thought right.
Russell: Delta Blue
LAND ARMY / TIMBER CORP LADIES.
If you have any relative or friend who served the Womens Land Army or the Timber Corps during WW2 – they are entitled to claim a Badge as well.
Details from: DEFRA. 5e Mill Bank. C/O 17 Smith Square. London. SW1P 3JR.
Tel: 01845 335577 or e mail: womenslandarmy@defra.ps.gov.uk.
NS(RAF)A members: Re: National Service Medal.
HOUSE OF COMMONS. LONDON SW1A OAA. 23 May 2006
I enclose this reply of 20 May 2006 that I have now received from the Defence Minister, Tom Watson.
I recognise that this will be a disappointing response for some of you but hope that it is, at least, helpful in clarifying the Government’s position.
Information regarding a National Service Medal and a Government-sponsored memorial for those who performed a period of National Service in the Armed Forces.
There is no official British medal specifically for those who performed a period of National Service.
It has never been the Government’s policy to consider service in the Armed Forces as the sole justification for the institution of a medal.
I am certain that you would agree that it would be divisive to offer National Servicemen a medal simply for being conscripted, when those who volunteered for service would be excluded from receiving any award.
Medals were issued to National Servicemen in exactly the same circumstances as those who volunteered for service.
As a result, if they served during the war years they were eligible for the range of medals instituted after World War II, including the 1939/45 Star, 1939/45 War Medal, the Defence Medal and the Campaign Stars for the various campaigns in which they served.
Those who volunteered for service, or were called up between 1946 and 1960 were equally eligible for the various clasps to the General Service Medal for the operations in which they may have served in Malaya, Cyprus, Kenya and the Suez Canal Zone, or for the campaign medal instituted for the Korean War.
Even today, many people leave the Armed Forces without having received a campaign medal during their service. This does not imply that their contribution to the defence of the country has not been appreciated.
It has been mentioned that the arrangements made by the Australian Government for National Servicemen who were conscripted into the Australian Armed Forces between 1951 and 1972 should apply in the UK !.
As you may know, the Australian Government consciously withdrew from the Imperial Honours System some years ago and has since instituted a number of specifically Australian medals, including ones recognising service performed many years previously.
As a result, any approval which The Queen may have given, as Queen of Australia, to proposals to institute retrospectively a medal for National Service performed by Australian Service personnel, would have been on the advice of Her Australian Ministers.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which we have consulted, advised that this does not set a precedent for the UK to follow suit.
I must stress that National Servicemen have not been forgotten.
Finally, the Government is recognising all Service personnel, including National Servicemen, who have died since the end of the Second World War, while on duty or as a result of terrorist attack, by the creation of the Armed Forces Memorial, which is also to be located at the NMA Alrewas.
Details about this project, including information about the design can be found at http.//www.forcesmemorial.org.uk or by writing to:
The Armed Forces Memorial Project Team Ministry of Defence. First Floor, Zone A. St Georges Court. Bloomsbury Way. London. WC1A 2SH
Minister for Veterans
Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal:
In essence, the Queen has accepted the medal for wear by all her Commonwealth subjects who served during the emergency, including her High Commissioner in Australia, but she has had to accept the advice of the Honours and Decorations Committee (quoting the Imperial Honours System) to deny UK citizens the right to wear the medal.
Thus, the medal can be accepted but not worn — but holders of the medal have been told by Whitehall that the wearing of the medal will not be policed !
The “Fight4thePMJAssociation” are not pleased and are recruiting.
To be able to join the Campaign for Permission to Wear the Medal use Google and enter: Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal.
UK National Defence Medal (NDM) campaign.
The website will give you an insight into why we are demanding full official recognition for our proud Sailors, Marines, Soldiers and Airmen who have protected our nation through all types of political turmoil since the Second World War.
It is our belief that an NDM is a reasonable and proper way for the nation to demonstrate to all HM Armed Forces that their service is appreciated. A small token of recognition for putting themselves at the mercy of the Country’s leaders in the hope it will act in the citizens best interests.
A medal that can be “officially” worn on parade with pride.
The Veterans Badge is an unofficial MoD offering and it’s purpose is different from the NDM. We see it however, as a first step to proper recognition.
“There’s nothing more important to troops than a medal – they are incredibly emotive and they mean the world to soldiers.”
Patrick Mercer, MP for Newark, and former infantry commander – Daily Telegraph 19/04/2008
More information on: http://nationaldefencemedal.webs.com/
National Defence Medal Campaign – latest information:
25 April 2011
To: Minister for the Armed Forces
COALITION GOVERNMENT’S MEDAL REVIEW – THE NDM CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT
Introduction
1. This short paper deals briefly with the commitments made by the various political parties to the Nation’s veterans. It highlights correspondence between veterans, Members of Parliament and Ministers in respect of the National Defence Medal since the re-launch of the campaign and during the recent MoD Medal Review. Finally, it draws conclusions and makes recommendations in respect of the Coalition Government’s Medal Review.
The 2010 General Election
2. The Iraq war and involvement in Afghanistan saw many deaths and serious injuries to members of the Armed Forces, which focussed the public’s attention on the Services. Consequently, it was not surprising that 2010, the year of the General Election, saw an outpouring of support for the Armed Forces in all political party manifestos.
3. Veterans were encouraged by the significant support from Political Parties to address the injustice of the past medal system. Included in this support was a Military Covenant Commission’s report for the Leader of the Conservative Party, David Cameron MP, together with a commitment by the Conservative Party to address the inconsistency in which medallic recognition of former service personnel had been implemented.
* Military Covenant Commission’s Report – This report went to the Leader of the Conservative Party now Prime Minister Rt Hon David Cameron MP. Its recommendation on medals stated – ‘A future Conservative Government should review the structure; membership and terms of reference of the Committee on the grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals (HD Committee). The reconstituted HD Committee should then review outstanding claims that ‘will draw a line in the sand’.
* Conservative Armed Forces Manifesto – Medals ‘Awarding of medals is decided by the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and medals (known as the HD committee).
* But the rules governing the awarding of medals have been applied inconsistently.
* The Conservatives will review the HD Committee, as well as the rules governing the awarding of medals.
* As part of that review all outstanding medal cases will be examined’.
4. Further support was provided in the Liberal Democrat and UKIP manifestos.
* Liberal Democrats Manifesto – Although the NDM was not specifically in the Liberal Democrat manifesto, the Party’s extensive support for the Armed Forces, veterans and families was encouraging. Ninety five percent of the Party’s MPs had signed Early Day Motion 327 calling for a working group to be established to work with the HD Committee to implement the NDM as soon as possible. In addition, the Liberal Democrats Friends of the Armed Forces had been actively working with the NDM team to re-launch the NDM campaign, which was attended by the Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader (Vince Cable MP) and their Defence spokes person in the House of Lords (Lord Lee of Trafford). Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg MP (now Deputy Prime Minister) had written a letter of support.
* UKIP Manifesto – The Party within its manifesto, clearly backed fully the Armed Forces and supported strongly the institution of the NDM. The UKIP Leader (Nigel Farage MEP) personally attended the re-launch of the NDM campaign.
5. Post the General election, the Coalition Government formed by the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats included in its ‘Programme for Government’ a Chapter on Defence, which specifically stated ‘a review of the rules governing medals would be carried out.’ Veterans were further encouraged when the first policy motion agreed by the Liberal Democrats at a Party Conference, since being in Government, was the institution of the National Defence Medal.
6. Details of various key events and documents in support of a medal review and a National Defence Medal are at Appendix A.
The Medal Review
7. The MoD initiated a Medal Review on 19 November 2010 thereby meeting the Coalition Government pledge to undertake such a review. The start date of the review was not publicly promulgated nor were the terms of reference or the date it would report its findings (10 January 2011) to the Veteran’s Minister. It was not transparent in its deliberations, it relied on material already held within the MoD much of which was dated; did not consult with veterans, Service organisations or with medal campaign organisers. The terms of Reference fell far short of the Conservative Manifesto pledge and the recommendations made by the Military Covenant Commission’s report, by making a specific exemption in the Terms of Reference to a review of the HD Committee and an exemption in respect of a review of medals for Service such as the LS&GC and State medals such as Coronation and Jubilee although it encompassed the forthcoming Diamond Jubilee.
8. Despite various written requests it proved difficult to obtain a copy of the Terms of Reference for the Medal Review, to identify a date of commencement or date when the review team would report its findings. It was disappointing the information was only achieved in late March as a result of a Freedom of Information request, some two months after the review team had reported. The MoD reply also identified that on 16 February the review findings had been passed via the Secretary of State for Defence to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, for final endorsement.
MoD reasons why a National Defence Medal should NOT BE instituted
9. Despite support for the NDM displayed by political parties; by Cross Party MPs through EDM 327; by Service organisations, by senior serving and retired officers; by public dignitaries and veteran icons such as Dame Vera Lynn the response from the Ministry of Defence was not encouraging. Parliamentary questions, an Adjournment Debate, letters to the MoD from MPs on behalf of their constituents, from Service organisations, from NDM campaigners and from individual veterans all met with negativity (See Annex B). The common MoD response was: the medal does not meet existing rules; Her Majesty’s Armed Forces Veterans badge (HMAFVB) provides recognition of service and the NDM would be duplication; medals are not awarded solely for service; medals have to be earned.
10. The question raised throughout the NDM campaign by former servicemen and women, time and time again, is ‘why would a government and a Nation not wish to appropriately recognise its veterans?’ There is a need therefore to test the arguments for not instituting a National Defence Medal:
* Imperial/HD Committee rules. Government accept, and presumably the MoD, that there have been inconsistencies in the way the award of medals has been carried out in the past. The Conservative party manifesto said it would review the HD committee. The Military Covenant Commission’s report to the Leader of the Conservative Party went further and recommended the Committee be scrapped. The Terms of Reference of the Medal Review also included a review of the rules. As the current rules are questionable, it would be inappropriate to use such rules as an argument for not instituting the NDM.
* HMAFVB. HMAFVB is continually used as the main reason why the NDM should not be instituted. It would be duplication; veterans have already had their service recognised by this badge! However, any idea the badge was authorised by Her Majesty or was introduced to officially recognise service in the Armed Forces is a myth.
Service personnel, when they join the Armed Forces, take the oath or affirmation of allegiance to the sovereign. It therefore would seem logical for the sovereign to be the one to formally recognise their service, as in Australia and New Zealand. Many recipients are under the impression the HMAFVB is a badge that has been approved by Her Majesty, they are wrong. However, Veterans are, in the main, pleased to receive their badge as in many cases the badge is all they have to show for their service to ‘Queen and Country’.
A Freedom of Information Act request identified the badge was first introduced in 2004 by the Labour Government’s MoD Veterans Minister Rt Hon Ivor Caplin MP. It was to be an identification lapel badge issued to Second World War veterans, who were returning to Theatres of operations where they had fought, to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the ending of WW2. As it was an identification badge and not a medal it did not require HD Committee approval, did not require Her Majesty’s approval and did not need Parliamentary approval – it was a MoD ‘ID’ badge. It is however, well designed and the WW2 veterans, many who have the pre 1945 Defence Medal, were delighted to receive it for everyday wear on their overseas visits.
The badge later became available to World War One veterans and to those who had served between the two wars. A pilot scheme was also held in 2005 to issue it to all Service Leavers. Although 27% of badges were either refused or returned, the pilot was deemed a success, and now all service leavers are issued with the HMAFVB in their leaving packs.
Service within Her Majesty’s Armed Forces is a prerequisite to be issued with a Veteran’s badge. However, it would appear only in the past few years have statements, emanating from the MoD, indicated the badge is awarded in recognition of service. Indeed as late as June 2008 an MOD document, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, stated, ‘the extended availability of the UK Armed Forces badge was to raise the profile of veterans by assisting the wider public to recognise them. It’s symbolism is intended to unite all veterans in recognising the commonality of service, to encourage a sense of unity and community between surviving veterans and to ignite public recognition of current veterans and their continuing contribution to society.’ It is a badge for day-to-day wear and serves a totally different function to that of a medal in recognition of service.
To date, no document has been forthcoming from the MoD in response to a FOI request for information, which officially discusses and/or authorises the change of a lapel identification badge to a badge awarded in respect of recognition of service.
* Medals are not awarded solely for service. The terms of Reference of the Medal Review exempted the Long Service and Good Conduct medal/equivalents from review. These medals are issued solely for service. It is one group of medals that is in desperate need of review as there are so many anomalies. For example the Regular Army’s LS&GC was initially issued for 18 years service, and later reduced to 15 years, but not awarded to officers. However, the Volunteer Reserve Service Medal (VRSM) is the Reserve Forces equivalent of the LS&GC, awarded for 10 years (this could equal as little as 280 days) service in the TA/Reserve and issued to all ranks, including officers. The Cadet Service Medal requires 12 years qualifying service. As these medals are solely for service it is difficult to understand the MoD argument that medals are not issued solely for service. As the ‘Long Service’ medals are the group with the most anomalies surrounding their issue and in need of review, it is surprising they should be specifically exempt from being included in the MoD’s Medal Review!
* Medals must be earned. Despite the MoD claim that medals must be earned, one group of medals are not. They are the Coronation and Jubilee medals. In the past, rules surrounding their award have caused much concern within the Armed Forces. A typical example was a Regiment serving on the streets of Belfast, when the Silver Jubilee medal was struck. It was 500 strong but only six Silver Jubilee medals were allocated. The CO and Adjutant received one; the Captain running the accounts was allocated one because he did not have the same opportunity as other officers in the Regiment of patrolling the streets; lots were drawn between the rank and file for the remaining three!
There is a difficulty in using the reason ‘Medals must be earned’ for not awarding the NDM.
Those who take the oath or affirmation of allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen do so in the knowledge that by so doing, they accept they may be required to put their ‘life on the line’ in keeping the UK safe and secure.
It is also difficult to understand how the Jubilee medals whose award has been so questionable were specifically exempt from the Medal Review!
* Cost- One factor was always going to be cost. From documents received under the Freedom of Information Act, cost played a significant part in how the HMAFVB was initially distributed. A proposal has already been put forward by the NDM campaign that avoids taxpayer’s money being used in this current climate of austerity. However, MoD have made it clear that cost would never be the sole factor in determining not to award a medal.
Conclusion
11. The Conservative Armed Forces Manifesto, the Military Covenant Commission’s report, and Coalition Programme for Government raised the hopes of former servicemen and women that past injustices of medallic recognition would be addressed through the Medal Review. However, the conduct of the review process, its lack of transparency, openness and failure by MoD to consult with or involve veterans has let them down. This should be of enormous concern and embarrassment to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Defence.
12. In addition, there appears to have been a concerted attempt within the MoD to devalue the NDM campaign, which seeks medallic recognition by Her Majesty and the Nation for those who have served Her Majesty and the Nation since the ending of the Second World War. It is time for the Coalition Government and the MoD to treat the ‘veterans and their families with the dignity they deserve.’
Recommendations
13. The MoD should revisit the discredited Medal Review and establish a working group that involves veterans and leaders of various medal campaigns to address all outstanding medal grievances so that a ‘line in the sand ‘ can be drawn, prior to Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
T G Scriven. Col (retd) Co-Chairman UK National Defence Medal Campaign
A Morland, Co-Chairman UK National Defence Medal Campaign
15.05.2011:
As a result of the BBC coverage there is new activity at the MoD to investigate how they can now accommodate some proper consultation.
However we must continue to lobby for an independent Chair, and a revision of the terms of reference to be inclusive of all medals as was promised in the coalition governments program for government. Anything less will not deliver what is expected by the Veteran community. We deserve better, but we must fight for it. Questions must be asked. TONY MOORLAND.
Campaigners are fighting for the government to award a National Defence Medal for all veterans, arguing that everyone who served their country in the Armed Forces deserves recognition.
They want a National Defence medal to be awarded by the Queen – as happens in Australia and New Zealand – rather than the current UK veterans’ badge brought in under Labour.
But retired Colonel Terry Scriven, who is now national Chairman of the Liberal Democrats Friends of the Armed Forces and battling on behalf of veterans, said the idea has been rejected in the past.
“For whatever reason, the MoD has dealt with hundreds of thousands of veterans over the past 60 years in a very shallow, shabby and shameful way,” says Mr Scriven, who joined the Army at the age of 15, serving with the Royal Military Police in Northern Ireland, Cyprus and Bosnia.
“The question must be: why would you, as a nation and a government, not want to acknowledge and recognise your veterans who have kept the country safe and secure over all this time?”
Anomalies
Colonel Terry Scriven said the MoD had dealt with many veterans in a ‘shameful way’
Despite support for the idea from the Liberal Democrats ahead of last year’s election – as well as from at least 200 MPs from different parties – the MoD’s argument has been that awarding a medal simply for serving in the Armed Forces would ‘devalue’ the system.
Some officials fear the costs could be prohibitive at a time of budget cuts at the MoD.
In a recent Westminster Hall debate, Veterans Minister Andrew Robathan MP said that approximately four million people might be eligible to apply for a National Defence Medal if it were to come into being, and costs could come to �300m – a figure disputed by campaigners.
The minister, a former Army officer, said that “to justify such expense would be hard”, particularly when the grounds for doing so “appear to be somewhat thin”.
Campaigners say the medal could be brought in for far less, and it could iron out at least some of the anomalies within the current system.
Charles Lovelace, 72, a former national serviceman who also served with the Royal Marines and as a reservist, says: “Once you join the services, you don’t know if you will be on the front line, or whether you’ll be at the back. You are simply there to do your bit for Queen and country.
“Is the MoD suggesting that there was no risk to those who served on Christmas Island, who were shirtless when an atom bomb went off? Are they suggesting that there was no risk at Porton Down, for people who were told they were testing a flu virus, when in fact it was sarin and nerve gas?
“They should all get recognition for their service,” he says.
The British medals system is a complex one, with most medals awarded for service on operations after a specified period spent in theatre on operations that carry a certain amount of risk.
Other medals include those for long service or good conduct, while gallantry awards are only given for acts of bravery beyond the call of duty.
Service in several past campaigns and circumstances – from the Berlin airlift to veterans who participated in nuclear or chemical testing, as well as those who stood ready to fight during the Cold War – has not always been recognised with a specific medal.
Tony Morland, a retired sergeant who served in the Royal Corps of Signals, became involved with the National Defence Medal campaign after researching whether his father had qualified for a service medal during his long military career, which included service in Tripoli and the wider Middle East just after WWII.
“I discovered that you didn’t actually get any recognition for that service. I did eventually find out he was eligible for a medal for his service in the Canal Zone, but we had to fight hard to get it.
“He was incredibly proud of it. Unfortunately he died two weeks later, which got me thinking about all the other people who had never had any recognition at all for their service, and that spurred me on,” says Mr Morland, now co-chairman of the National Defence Medal Campaign.
Some of those in favour have already put money into a fund, even though the idea of veterans paying for a medal themselves is something the MoD says Buckingham Palace would not accept.
But not all veterans agree with the idea, with some opponents arguing it could lessen the impact of medals awarded for specific campaigns, and others saying the British medals system is admired for its rigour and the toughness of the criteria for those qualifying.
Military covenant
A review of the medals system conducted by the MoD over the past months is now due to go out to veterans’ groups and campaigners for consultation.
Campaigners say they had to put in a Freedom of Information Act request in order to discover that the review had begun, and that Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg had to intervene with the MoD to push for the broadest possible consultation.
But an MoD spokesperson said the coalition set out its intention in the Programme for Government, published in May 2010, to review the rules governing the award of medals as a part of its commitment to rebuild the military covenant.
Campaigners think the medal would do much to cement the governing parties’ pre-election promises to ensure the nation meets the commitments of the military covenant.
The Armed Forces Bill has been delayed in its passage through Parliament after controversy over what some alleged was the watering down of the prime minister’s pledge last year to enshrine it into law. The government insists the delay is so that it can get the bill right.
But campaigners fear time is running out.
“I’m 72, and some of our members are a lot older,” says Charles Lovelace.
“The veterans badge is purely a first step and nothing more. But above that, it’s not something that people want to wear on parades, it’s for everyday wear, and even the MoD acknowledges that.”
Update: 13.05.12.
New NDM Report Available
As you aware Sir John Holmes, GCVO, KBE, CMG, has been appointed to carry out the reconstituted medal review and has commenced work by calling for submissions from the various medal campaign groups. In addition, he is making arrangements to have personal meetings with the campaign group representatives.
Click HERE to see a copy of the NDM submission dated 3 May 2012, which Sir John would have received. There are many reasons for the NDM, but the submission is only part of the story, the coming meeting with Sir John will be critical to our success.
You may also wish to be aware that a number of veterans have expressed their concern, that despite the commitment all outstanding military medal claims would be reviewed, the long service group of medals have been excluded from the Terms of Reference, yet again, and without reason. On behalf of these veterans, we have asked Sir John to consider revisiting the decision for their exclusion.
We hope that this time the review is finally run in a fair and transparent way, thereby giving veterans the opportunity to have their grievances heard in a proper manner, some of which go back almost 70 years.
Best wishes from
The Campaign Team
Webmasters comment: I served for 12 years in the RAF (1952 to 1964).
I served in 2TAF (Germany) / Cyprus (During the emergency) and all over the UK – I do not have one ribbon to show for my 12 years Service. Is this fair ? PGH.
PRESS RELEASE: Title : VETERANS BLOW WHISTLE ON MOD SECRETS.
A fifty one-page report has blown the whistle on the MoD’s secretive Medal Review. The report by the UK National Defence Medal campaign provides an insight into current MoD Medal Review process and report, which Prime Minister David Cameron sent back to MoD for failing to consult with veterans.
It outlines how the MoD failed to notify the public of the review’s terms of reference, the date it commenced, the date of completion; the mystic surrounding its progress and failure to engage with veterans, service organisations or representatives of medal campaigns; the very people the review was about were excluded. Charles Lovelace who served for 2 years with the RMFVR prior to National Service as a Royal Marine Commando said, “It was a disgrace, nothing more than a six- week paper-based exercise over the Christmas period.”
The attached report shows how subjective statements, displaying a lack of analysis, reliant on misleading, inaccurate facts and false assumptions; produced unsubstantiated conclusions as reasons not to honour our veterans. Just why did MoD officials give a clean bill of health to the existing medal system, which has produced so much injustice in respect of medallic recognition over 60 years?
A spotlight has been shone on the flawed process and discredited Medal Review report. “You will be startled at what you find when you read the Report”, said Tony Morland Co-Chairman of the UK National Defence medal campaign.
Read the full report: http://nationaldefencemedal.webs.com//UKNDM%20COMMENTS%2024%20JUNE%20REF%20THE%20MOD%20MEDAL%20REVIEW%20_4_.pdf