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A victory for the medal campaigners

 Legion magazine editorial

Published: 1 July 2009

It’s finally happened – the Government has listened to the public’s demands and agreed to institute a medal to honour all those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The medal, which will be presented to family members of the fallen, is likely to also be rolled out for those who’ve died in other major conflicts, such as the Falklands and Northern Ireland.

HM The Queen has given her approval to plans for a commemorative scroll and a medal, which will be known as the Elizabeth Cross.

While this is a victory for our serving and ex-service community in itself, it’s looking like the implications of the Government’s decision could mean good news for many more people than you’d initially expect.

A senior MoD source has said that, although a break from ‘tradition’, awarding the medal was ‘the right thing to do’. But he also hinted that the decision could pave the way for victory in other medal campaigns.

The Government’s policies on medal issues have always caused controversy, and many veterans have dedicated their lives to campaigning for medals to recognise their own time serving Queen and country – from Malaya veterans to National Servicemen – and until now, their efforts have been met with stony silence by policy makers.

So now the Government has made one – rather major – exception to its medal policy, is it likely these other long-running campaigns will finally achieve a happy outcome? Let’s hope for the sake of our forgotten veterans that it is. After all, the MoD has already admitted that it’s the right thing to do.

Share your views with us.

 

Comment on this blog

1. At 19.28 on 1 July 2009, Sweeny wrote:

I never could understand the idea, that a serviceman had to serve 30 days in a conflict Zone, before being entitled to a medal (more in some cases.)  It meant some poor guy could be serving in such an area for say 25 days, then be shot or killed while on patrol, and still not be entitled to a medal. Obviously thought up by someone behind a desk, who has never served in a conflict zone, probably never even held a rifle.

2. At 15.57 on 2 July 2009, David wrote:

I agree with Sweeny. I served in Oman in 1975 and the rules were changed during my tour. The result. I have nothing to show for my work. (Except I was not killed or injured) The Elizabeth Cross for those KIA will give the families something to show their loss was respected by those who care.

3. At 12.55 on 9 July 2009, David C wrote:

I was informed whilst sailing to the Falklands in October 1984, that though we would remain 'on active service' we would no longer be eligible for a GSM South Atlantic.  I accepted that then as the conflict was long gone, however I now wonder if we should have been entitled to such an award.

4. At 14.03 on 9 July 2009, A regular vet wrote:

David C is right. There was talk in 1983 that the colony was still an active service area and as such there was rumour that a GSM would be issued to mark that. Of course, those who run the country, the civil service, have said many times that there has to be an element of risk and vigour so ergo, no GSM.

Then there is the long running sore about the PJM the Legion said that it supported veterans rights to wear this foreign award but the civil servants once again said no and so the battle continues.

Whilst no one disagrees with the recognition of those who give their lives in the service of their country is this merely a political award?

5. At 15.05 on 9 July 2009, Byron Watson wrote:

My father and my bother served in ww2 and received an array of medals, one being the ww2 medal.  This was a presented award.  I served on a front line bomber station during the Cold War. I have to buy my war medal. We were on call and were ready for anything.

6. At 16.49 on 9 July 2009, Navy wrote:

A cautionary note......let's not get like the Americans where you get a medal for opening a bottle of Coke!

7. At 21.13 on 10 July 2009, Scarletlancer wrote:

Great not before time, how ever  the Severely wounded receive nothing if they are lucky they get a campaign medal the same as those who suffered no injuries. Some sort of award should be issued to all those who are wounded.

8. At 14.17 on 23 July 2009, Barry L J Winters wrote:

Let's hope the veterans of Cyprus during EOKA finally get recognised for what they went through.

9. At 22.17 on 27 July 2009, (In reply to Barry L J Winters on 23 July 2009) B. Sweeny wrote:

I was there Barry, from the end of 1955 to the beginning of 1957, I served with the H.L.I we lost 4 of our lads, but all in, just under 400 lost their lives, in the 4 years of the conflict. Their names can all be found on the Britain's small wars web page. http://www.britains-smallwars.com/

10. At 15.16 on 31 July 2009, Barry L J Winters wrote:

I was there too 'B' but was returned to Sheerness before reaching the 120 days required. It would seem if you were shot at before the 120 days, it was just hard luck. A very bitter Barry L J Winters.

11. At 14.00 on 3 August 2009, Tony M wrote:

BAOR was classed as active service up to 1955, Berlin even later.  Our current system is mean-spirited, lacking in honesty, fairness and vision.  GSM qualification is from 1 - 120 days, long service from 10 - 18yrs, some officers get nothing at all.

Commonwealth countrys, with our Queens approval, have successfully overhauled the imperial system.

As weapons, tactics etc evolve our outdated honours systems languishes.

I commend the following report:

ndm-pr.webs.com/Veterans%20Recognition%20Report%20v1.1.pdf

12. At 08.52 on 5 August 2009, Charles Lovelace wrote:

It is time for the institution of a National Defence Medal for service similar to the Australian medal.

This medal promulgated by HM The Queen covers all the criteria desired by British veterans and is infinitely better than an unofficial badge.

I volunteered twice- RM and Queen's 6/7(V) HSF, and I commend you to www.nationaldefencemedal.webs.com to read the Veterans Recognition Report submitted to the PM and the MoD.

13. At 17.17 on 5 August 2009, Stuart Mathewson wrote:

SWEENEY, if you were shot, wounded, killed, or received a gallantry award prior to the 30 days qualifying period, then you automatically qualified for the medal. I know a soldier who served 15 days in the 1st Gulf War in 1991 and the 21 says in Northern Ireland two years later but didn't qualify for any medal even though his total service in two war zones was 36 days which is well over the normal 30 days period. Totally unfair !! This Govt needs to take a good look at the inadequate medal system. Most of the civil servants receive all the honours in the honours lists!

14. At 19.19 on 5 August 2009, Major S.H. Pollock (Ret'd) wrote:

It is time the government stopped treating those who serve as disposable assets and give them equal recognition. A Wounded in Action Medal and a National Defence Medal are long overdue. The GSM (Cyprus) qualifying period should also be reduced to 30 days, retroactive in the interest of fairness. Our former Colonies are now showing the way.... It is time for UK to follow.  If we can approve such medals for N.Z, and Australia, why not support her own troops. Also remember the Gurkas....

Take away the responsibility from the Whitehall Armchair Warriors
and let somebody make a decision.

15. At 11.25 on 6 August 2009, Gerry Peck wrote:

The Kiwi's are about to launch their own National Defence Medal, leaving the UK as the last bastion of a system that is outmoded and bereft of anything except a dog in the manger attitude and a siege mentality that hides behind faux protocols and traditions dreamed up by morbid senior Mandarins at the Ministry of Deviousness.  A new broom is very badly needed before the whole shambles comes to a grinding halt like the Medals section has. Start a fair dinkum Covenant based upon the setting up of a universal NDM such as the Aussies have and the Kiwi's will get. Never mind the crock you have to put up with for now, put yourselves out and go for the real deal!

16. At 12.37 on 6 August 2009,  A. Davies wrote:

The MoD and Civil Servants see themselves as the guardians of an honours system which is so antiquated that neither it nor they retain the respect of veterans or the populace of this country. 

One only has to look at the appalling way in which the Gurkhas were treated and also British Nuclear Veterans who are fighting for their rights in the High Court.  The mandrins in Whitehall couldn't give a damn about the average man or woman who is ready to serve this country.  An NDM is not only appropriate but long overdue.  The time has come to overhaul the honours system.

17. At 09.45 on 10 August 2009,  Barry  L J Winters wrote:

If action isn't taken very soon some veterans will not be here to hear the news that they have finally been recognised for what they did in Cyprus and other foreign soil.  Why are we always the last country to say thank you.

18. At 23.15 on 10 September 2009, Jack Ogden wrote:

What I can't understand is why are all these so called civil servants who have not got a clue what it is like to rough it in a conflict. They are not the best educated people they just follow daddy in the job  it's the old saying it isn't what you know it's who you know I was a national serviceman, I served in Malaya for two years, applied for the p j m told I wasn't entitled to it. This government are a load of liar's.


19. At 21.03 on 12 November 2009, martin67 wrote:

Politicians and civil servants are too busy looking after themselves and do not care about veterans of any age. after 13 years service in the RAF and only leaving because I was made redundant by some politician, All I would have to show for serving my country is a little 80 pence enamel badge. Maybe I should have joined the australian, new zealand or canadian armed forces . At least their governments know how to honour their service

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