Campaign News
British Veterans National Defence Medal (NDM) Campaign
Welcome
National Defence Medal Welcome to the UK National Defence Medal (NDM) campaign homepage. The site 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 Early Day Motion (EDM) Our top priority this month is to encourage each and every one of our Members of Parliament to sign up to the EDM. It is time to build a relationship with your MP, establish contact via email, letter or better still make an appointment to attend the local surgery. This is the start of an unavoidable process to engage the House of Commons and urge them to do the right thing. As our representatives they're role is to give us a voice and take up our grievances. refusal to properly do this is no less than a dereliction of their duty. Template Letter | New Chairman Drives Campaign On The shame surrounding the MOD increased during the past few weeks when they made the decision not to recognise the service of the millions of Servicemen and women who have become our ‘Forgotten Heroes’ by the award of a National Defence medal. This comes at a time of great outpouring of support for our Armed Services by the public and a professed support for restoring the military covenant by the Government and the leaders of all political parties. Evidence of appropriate recognition for the award of a medal and not just a badge to those who have served in the Armed Forces since the end of the Second World War is overwhelming. The reasons for non-recognition are shallow at best.
The lack of recognition of our ‘Forgotten Heroes’ includes service in Korea (post armistice); the Berlin Airlift; the Cold War, where hundreds of our service men and women died on duty and many more were discharged as a result of their injuries; the IRA atrocities outside of Northern Ireland which saw our soldiers killed and maimed on the streets of Germany and in England, and of course National Service veterans who are now in their 70s and 80s; the list is endless. Colonel Terry Scriven, the new Co-Chairman of the National Defence Medal campaign said, “The MOD’s decision is dreadfully wrong. I hope that as this campaign grows with public support the Government, whose responsibility it is to decide on a medal of recognition of service, will speedily review this situation just as they did with the Ghurkha campaign. |
Dame Vera accepts the NDM Report
FORCES sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn has got behind a veteran campaigners quest for medal recognition for all members of the armed forces. Roy Wilson wants a National Defence Medal (NDM) created for everyone who has served in the armed forces since the end of the Second World War.
The British Government has never considered service in the Armed Forces as the sole justification for an honour. | The liaison officer for National Service Veterans Association charmed the 92-year-old wartime songstress at the London Poppy Appeal launch, in Horse Guards Parade, in central The whole NDM team wish to thank Roy, Dave and Eddie for their amazing effort. |
Petition Number 10
An enthusiastic and successful march to Petition to say THANKS Please sign our petition Thanking our Armed Forces, and requesting they are properly Honoured (Almost 2000 signatures so far). | |
Patron reinforces the message
Mr. As a former National Serviceman who served with the RAEC at Read the full letter, Click Here. |
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2009 - The Campaign Continues Stronger Than Ever
It is now 2009 and the battle to secure a National Defence Medal for Veterans of the British Armed Forces goes on. Despite the worst that the ‘abominable NO men’ of the Honours Committee and the MoD can throw up in the way of obstacles and denials, it has become quite clear that there is no such thing as an extant protocol that would deny the bestowal of such a medal. Nor is there any precedent for denial, quite the reverse in point of fact, as the GSM of WWll so clearly demonstrates. In point of fact, every single argument that has been postulated by the people who are denying the right of an honourable medal that is available to all Veterans, has been shown to be quite without foundation. Contradictions and examples abound to clearly illustrate that every so called ‘tradition’, ‘convention’ or ‘protocol’ has at one time or another been casually ignored when it was deemed convenient to do so by the ‘establishment’.
As an Australian citizen, I see before me the example set by the Australian Defence Medal, which now ensures that EVERY Australian Veteran has a tangible sign of a grateful Governments appreciation for time and service rendered for the general good. This medal has been received with universal acclaim and is so revered by the general public that requests have been made by NoK for posthumous award of the
The ANZAC Day phenomenon in Australia has made the whole of the populace aware of just what is owed to Veteran’s, it is not a celebration of wars and victories but rather of many generations of men and women who have stood by the colours when the nation needed them. It honours the sacrifices, not just of life and limb, but also of time and service as and when required. None are forgotten, all are honoured. In Cities, Suburbs and the smallest of ‘Bush’ communities, Dawn parades and later on, Marching parades are held. The whole community is involved, with every generation marching to honour those who have served, the streets are lined with spectators and the oldest of the Veterans are driven at the head of the parade in restored military vehicles. It is moving and very, very inspiring, as the ranks form into an open square and the ceremonies commence. I feel a great glow of pride when I see and experience an ANZAC Day event.
This is something that Britain needs to experience too, a date (perhaps the 6th June) needs to be set aside to honour
On that special day and indeed on any memorial occasion,
It is time for those that cling stubbornly to the antiquated and outmoded ‘customs’ and thought processes that impede the granting of an NDM for Britons to be shaken out of their smug and complacent nonsense.
Archaic honours and awards system
The National Defence Medal campaign exposes the gross injustice by this government towards those both willing and called upon to defend the freedoms which they and everyone else enjoys. Whilst other Commonwealth countrys' are now striking medals for their brave and dedicated service personnel in recognition of their service and for the sacrifices, the
By A. Davies (click on image for full article)
