National Defence Medal July 31, 2008
Posted by Leader of Havering in Havering Council.Tags: Armed Services, Havering Show, National Defence Medal, Remembrance Sunday, Veteran's Day
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I was recently visited in the Town Hall by a resident who has been working tirelessly on getting an official national defence medal for members of the armed forces who have served their country since the Second World War in conflicts such as Korea, Suez and the Falklands.
At the moment private companies make commemorative medals which veterans can buy but which they cannot wear on marches for instance on Remembrance Sunday or on Veteran’s Days.
With the borough having its own Veteran’s Day as part of the Havering Show this year, I think it would be a fitting tribute to the commitment, dedication and courage of the men and women of our armed forces to be recognised with a National Defence Medal and this is something that I would like to personally endorse.
In Havering we will all remember the story of Lance Corporal Kirk Redpath from Romford who gave his life in the service of his country and his contribution like that of the many thousands of service personnel on active duty should be recognised with a National Defence Medal.
Please let me know what you think about this important campaign.
Michael
The National Defence Medal is a Fantastic idea. Members of the forces have served in many case for years with no tangible recognition when they leave. The veterans badge is not the same thing. During my service I spent no less than 8 years overseas, including Germany, Italy, South Atlantic, and supported many operations, we where under constant threat from the IRA and the cold war raged. Today we encourage our finest to wear their uniforms in public, we couldn’t because of the Irish Republican threat.
After 15 years service I was left with nothing to show on parade that I had served at all.
Our commonwealth friends such as Canada and Australia treat their veterans and serving forces far better than the UK. The Imperial honours system is out dated which is why they opted out and created a forward looking system fit for the 21st century.
Veterans should not need to rely on ‘Bling’ commemoratives to prove they served and are proud. This is little more than profiteering at veterans expense because our Government fail to do the right and honouable thing by striking the National defence Medal.
Fantastic idea, long overdue
Why hasn’t this already happened?
Dear Adam and Tony,
I believe that this medal should have been instituted long ago for our servicemen and women to recognise all that they have given and continue to give to our country.
I recently received a letter from the MOD saying that they had no intention of instituting a National Defence Medal due to the introduction of the Veteran’s Badge.
As mentioned above, Australia and Canada give National Defence Medals to their armed services and I think that it is high time the UK did as well.
Michael
The MOD have issued a badge, Not the Queen, it is therefore not recognition from the person we swore allegiance to. From the MOD website read:
The term ‘official’ could be used to describe any medals for which Her Majesty, or her predecessors, has given approval.
So on occasions when Medals are appropriate, I believe only ‘Official’ awards should be worn. Essentially a badge issued by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency falls outside this criteria.
This is the reason service men and women should have ‘Official’ recognition in the form of a Medal, not a new Labour Gimmick in the form of a cheap badge.
Best wishes.
I agree that an ‘official’ medal of this sort is long overdue, I and many others would wear it with pride. I served this country for nine years and left with nothing but a badge for my trouble, It’s no wonder we’re resorting to ‘bling’ commemoratives instead.
Perhaps if everyone was to rebel and wear something like the ‘general service cross’ this year, then the powers that be might start to take notice?
The antiquated British Honours System dates back to the 1800’s and has little relevance in the 21st Century. It is so antiquated that many Commonwealth Countries have simply opted out of it and issued their own forms of National Defence Medal to honour their forces. It is regulated largely by a handful of unelected Civil Servants who form the HD Committe, whcih rarely meets.
Other countires like France issue a Defence Medal after 6 months service and the Americans issue a similar medal to their regular, reserve and Cadet Forces on completion of 90 days service. They are not campaign medals and shouldn’t be confused as such but are simply recognition and a ‘reward’ for rendering service. The Australians, New Zealands and Canadians all have their own versions of a Defence Medal.
Considering that all British Forces were at heightened risk during both the Cold War and most certainly during the Northern Ireland Conflict, with many being killed and wounded on the British ‘mainland’ and in Europe, the fact that many served and even paid the ultimate price and were never honoured with a medal is a national disgrace.
History recalls that in June 1971, the then Home Secretary the Rt Hon Reginald Maudling MP, made a declaration in the House of Commons stating that the British Government was ‘at war’ with the IRA. Thus it was a indeed a war and not simply a conflict or troubles confined to the Province of Northern Ireland. Only in 2005 did the Prime Minister Tony Blair declare that Peace had finally replaced War.
There is no legal impediment to instituting a National Defence Medal or even extending the existing ‘General Service Medal’. To take as an example, the 1939 – 1945 Medal was issued to all Military personnel who completed a mere 28 days full-time service, both operational and non-operational.
Would it be too much for this nation to recognise the service given by ‘volunteers’ in our Armed Forces and reward them with a medal, say after 6 months?
Many Veterans feel let down and a growing number of ex-service organisations now support the call for a medal.
From way over here in Brisbane, Australia. I have been enthralled to read your comments on the National Defence Medal concept. Australia requested of HM the Queen that such be added to the Australian panoply and it was enthusiastically endorsed. Since when it has been retrospectively issued and in some cases where family have requested it, posthumously issued. It is an indication, from a grateful government, that dedicated military service, with all that this implies, is, at the highest levels, both appreciated and deemed well worthy of note!
In comprehending the normally parsimonious attitude of British administrations towards the outlay of money, many of us that saw Service in the UK”s Armed Forces without anything other than the word ‘Exemplary’ on our discharge papers, would purchase such a medal were it available. One has only to observe the numbers of former Service people that spend out on commemorative medals, or ‘bling’ as some would call it, to see that the demand is widespread. Perhaps, if such were the case, the government might see its way clear to decline the VAT compnent of such a medal in favour of its disbursement to Service charities?
Precedents for the issue of such a medal are easily found within British regalia and for the powers that be to continue to deny the need and the overwhelming demand for a National Defence Medal, just defies logic. The much vaunted and so called ‘traditional’ Imperial awards system is two centuries out of date, as the withdrawal of so many Commonwealth countries bears witness to and an upgrade of that is every bit as important as is the need for training and weaponry updates.
Pride in service to ones country should be wholeheartedly encouraged and this is an excellent starting point. Thank you for your most welcome support for this long overdue reward.
Yours aye, Gerry Peck 22967765. 1953-1965
When it comes to recognition for “Those who serve’ … the U.K is lacking well behind the former Colonies. They give real medals not an 80p badge for services rendered. What an insult.
I have to agree with all the comments posted here, a medal of recognition is a must for all service men and women who served the Kings and Queens and their country over the years.
Give us the Medal please, not just a cheap lapel badge
National Service has never been officialy recognised unless one was serving in an operational theatre. December 2007 issue of Soldier Magazine indicated that a survey resulted in 75% of readers who responded stating that NS should be officially recognised.
I was a reservist RMFVR for two years prior to call-up. On completion I returned to the reserve and many years later I volunteered again and served in the Queen’s HSF. (Hence twice a volunteer and twice commissioned).
The arrogance displayed by the CDS, the current government, HD Committee, and the MoD is unbelievable and unwarranted. All they do is offer disingenuous platitudes. We should follow the Australian lead and institute an NDM for all those who served.
The Veterans Badge was issued as a political sop by the MoD and as such is not official. Sadly no minister has ever served in uniform and this is patently obvious.
When I look at my hard won and coveted green beret I can only regard the ministers at the MoD with a modicum of contempt.
I only served 10 years and have the GSM NI but remember serving in the cold war guarding a military installation in Germany in 2 ft of snow and catching armed illegal immigrants in Hong Kong. So until we get a Defence Medal I shall wear my 2 ‘bling’ medals with my GSM & QGJM without feeling ashamed !
The two young sappers killed in NI by an IRA splinter group will be awarded nothing. There will be no token of gratitude for the families of these brave Engineers; if they had been Australian, Canadian, New Zealanders, French, German, Americans ect ect ect there would be an NDM at the very least. This demonstrates the Govts attitude to the Forces and veterans alike. Todays Ministers have no honour, dignity or respect, unlike those that have served and in many cases made the ultimate sacrifice.
I agree with everything that has been said so far regarding the justification for awarding a National Defence medal. I would add the following. One phrase I find very offensive and insulting is taken from the MOD’s so-called justification for not awarding the NDM. I can’t recall the exact wording but it was something along the lines of “a medal is not considered appropriate just for serving in HM Forces”. That “just” makes me very angry because it involves:
(1) Being subject to military law as well as civilian law which means our on and off-duty behaviour has to be of a much higher standard than that of a civilian.
(2) Being on duty 24 hrs a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Admittedly, it is not always enforced but it is THERE if the service needs it.
(3) Having no right to strike – not that we’d want to anyway – but still a liberty that civilians enjoy and service personnel don’t.
(4) Vastly poorer pay and living conditions to civilians in the civil service. For example, I know that quite junior people in the FCO get their own houses or apartments when on foreign service. As far as I know, they are never required to live in barrack blocks.
(5) Being dictated to by people who have not served and who have no comprehension of what service life involves.
My answer is to ignore the MoD medal people who, in my opinion, enjoy little if any moral authority among the service and ex-service communities. Therefore, all the service and ex-service organisations should agree that as far as they are concerned the National Defence Medal is “official” and encourage all that qualify to wear the medal. Most of us would gladly pay for it. Indeed, I would gladly pay over the top for it as long as an appropriate proportion went to a service charity.
I accept of course that this could only apply to ex-service personnel but it is that community in particular that suffers the indignity of not having any appropriate symbol of their service. I don’t consider the Veterans Badge an appropriate symbol and I sincerely hope I do not offend anyone by that comment. I am ex-RAF, I served from 1967 to 1979 in the UK, Oman, Gibraltar and Germany. I was awarded the Veterans Badge some years ago.
Finally, if my understanding is correct, HM the Queen considered it appropriate that, for example, the Australians, should have a medal. Alas, not for poor British Tommy.
Sorry, the offensive words were JUST for serving in the HM Forces. The JUSTt was omitted in my text because I put it in angle brackets?????