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How about a new medal campaign?

It seems to us that anyone who knows how to answer everyone’s medal and badge queries is deserving of a medal themselves…

Legion magazine editorial

Published: 1 September 2009

Legion magazine – which is produced by journalists, rather than Legion staffers – receives a lot of correspondence about medals and badges.

We get emails, letters, phone calls – and last week an actual medal. It had been sent in anonymously with a simple request that we trace its owner.

We checked that it wasn’t listed as stolen on Medal Tracker (see links, below) and then, following advice, sent it on to the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency’s medal department.

We did this because, as journalists, we’re not experts. And it seems that very few people are. The questions we receive vary from “how do I apply for an Elizabeth Cross?” to exposés of ‘Walter Mitty’ types who masquerade as veterans – and “what are you going do about it?”

The answer is that we can do very little, as the only office that is entitled to bring an enquiry about the wearing of medals in the UK, is the Crown Prosecution Service and anyone with suspicions of a Walter Mitty would need to take their evidence to the police.

Then there are the questions about where (on which lapel and at which occasions) to wear medals and badges. And why don’t we have a National Defence Medal?

Obviously, we do try to answer people’s questions as best we can and there is a forum on medals in the Legion Connect area of the website which you might find useful.

The Legion and the Ministry of Defence are inundated with queries too. To point people in the right direction, they have both compiled a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answered them all (see below).


Related links

Feature: Wearing your medals with pride

Forum: Who else deserves a badge?

Weblink: www.britishlegion.org.uk/remembrance/medals

Weblink: www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/Veterans/Medals/MedalFaqs.htm

Weblink: www.britishlegion.org.uk/remembrance/medals/medal-faqs

Weblink: www.britishlegion.org.uk/remembrance/medals/recent-awards--badges

Weblink: www.medaltracker.com


Comment on this blog

1. At 17.58 on 2 September 2009, JR Young wrote:

We had to do Nation Service because of the Cold War why no recognition?

2. At 11.56 on 4 September 2009, P J Shaw wrote:

Is there a medal for service on Christmas Island and South pacific? If not why not?

3. At 02.02 on 13 September 2009, Anon wrote:

Our awards system is in total meltdown. Is it any wonder there is so much confusion? I know many veterans who have years of honourable service in the forces and have nothing but a lapel badge to show for it, meanwhile a lollipop lady gets an MBE...it makes my blood boil!

4. At 14.23 on 17 September 2009, DSC Andrews wrote:

Medals should be for bravery and gallantry, not for just being there. If you are not careful you will get into the American mindset where medals are like confetti.'What's that for Hank'? 'Jeez, I just opened my 10th tin of beer in a row'!

I see nothing to sneer at as far as the Veterans badge is concerned. I wear mine with pride as I wear my Regimental tie.

5. At 16.09 on 20 September 2009, Andrew Wells wrote:

French armed forces personnel get a medal after 1 years service. Australian forces now get one after 4 years service. I (and many others) do 12+3 years service and got no medal and no pension. I did get a tiny badge to wear with my Mufti on 11th Nov each year, lucky me! It's an insult and one the RBL really should get off the fence over. (1961-1975)

6. At 11.52 on 22 September 2009, B. Hunter wrote:

I think that the RBL must carry a lot of blame for much of these problems as they sell these all these strange medals like the National Service Medal. Our Chairman of our Local Branch of the RBL has a chestful of medals and all purchased from the RBL. When challenged on this he states that his children have bought them for him and he is going to wear them.

7. At 19.10 on 26 September 2009, DD wrote:

The RBL doesnt sell these medals the company award medals does, the RBL even try to discourage this and ban pole bearers from wearing them. You could reinforce the RBL guidelines and make sure he wears them below the offical line, or on the right hand side.

8. At 21.48 on 15 October 2009, Roger wrote:

As someone who served without receiving any medals, I count myself lucky that I served when the world was more stable and we knew who was the threat.

Incidentally, I wear my late father's (exRN WW2) medals on the right breast in his memory , and am proud to do so.

9. At 15.49 on 4 November 2009, Pat Brand
 wrote:

Do I wear my medals on 11th November as a sign of respect? 

I will attend Remembrance Sunday service wearing them, however, I don't know if they are worn on actual remembrance day.

10. At 17.10 on 17 November 2009, Martin67 wrote:

I served my country for 13 years, no recognition, because of strange qualification criteria for awards. Too ashamed to take part in official events wearing an insulting 80 pence badge. If a national defence medal is good enough for the Australian, New Zealand and Canadians, all with the official approval of the Queen, WHY is it not good enough for us!!!

Maybe I should just carry around a sign that reads

'SERVED MY COUNTRY, MY COUNTRY DISCARDED AND FORGOT ME'

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