Campaign News

The meeting with Dame Vera was a far greater success than we could ever have anticipated. On arrival I met up with Eddie Mortimer at Whitehall, we made our way through to Horse Guards Parade and met the orchestrator of the opportunity and a very relieved Roy Wilson (Area liaison officer for the National Service Veterans Association and NDM Committee member), who was nervous we may not make it in time for the launch. Together we waited anxiously, still uncertain if we would see the right moment to hand over the NDM Recognition Report. There was lots of Media, other hierarchy and officials buzzing around who gave us the distinct feeling we were rather low in the pecking order, so we knew we would need to be persistent and firm, after all we had been invited.

Our nervousness was growing as the original timings for the official Poppy launch seemed to have slipped 30 minutes. But we remained near the arch that we knew Forces Sweethearts past and present Dame Vera and Hayley Westenra, the New Zealand Soprano, would eventually appear on stage. When Dame Vera arrived she was very quickly ushered into Horse Guards, but we had been told our chance may come after the launch, as it happened we were only a few yards (I don't do metric) from the press tent, and where interviews with Dame Vera would be held. We thought at this point it would be difficult to hand over the report, however it transpired to be quite the opposite.

The launch itself was very moving with Hayley Westenra singing the immortal We'll Meet Again, helped towards the end by Dame Vera (at 92), it was a magic experience. We felt very privileged to see both forces sweethearts on the same stage, and remember Dame Vera has also become a 2009 chart topper to boot.

The breakthrough, despite some of the 'officials' best efforts, came when Roy managed to gain the ear of Dame Vera's daughter Virginia, who incidentally was very gracious and supportive. Virginia happily took the report from Roy, and added she would ensure we had the chance for a quick meeting with Dame Vera with photos taken by Sandra Rowse. Sandra is a top professional and having seen the camera screen shots I can confirm she has some absolute cracking pictures. We was asked to move on by various people but as there were only 3 of us it was like nailing jelly to the wall, we were on a mission and we were going to succeed.

In the interim I had also managed to chat with Hayley Westenra, who was also informed about the NDM campaign. Hayley was delightful and very attentive; she was pleased to pose for some photo's with us. With Dame Vera's daughter on board, all we had to do was patiently wait for our turn, this came after a live BBC interview and whilst waiting for ITV to get organised (you will see Roys head in the background during the ITV interview). In the end we had a magnificent audience with dame Vera; Roy explained the whole NDM project, that tens of thousands of supporters all over the world are behind it, and asked her if she would take time to read the report. Roy went on to say if she felt it was something she could support to please write to Roy, who had included his details with the report.

Dame Vera was exactly as you would expect and gave us her undivided attention, much to the growing annoyance of some of the scheduling staff!. Whilst we were having our photo's taken, I heard Virginia replying to one chap who said our meeting was not on the timetable, to which she said "they are veterans, wearing their poppies, and if mother found out they had not been able to meet her she would be furious", the aforementioned 'official' once chastised went with the flow. Virginia assured us Dame Vera would definitely read the report, and write to Roy in due course, she went on ?it may be a while as she was very busy, and had lots of correspondence to attend to, but Roy would get a reply?.

As we were leaving to have a cuppa at the Civil Service club, Roy also respectfully collared the new RBL President, Lt General Sir John Kiszely KCB MC. Roy asked if he had heard of the NDM campaign? Sir John said he had heard a little about it, at which point Roy offered to send him a copy of the NDM report. Sir John assured Roy he would read it, and advised him to get a card from Robert Lee RBL Head of Media and Campaigns.

Overall, it was a fantastic coup, and we were very lucky to have achieved so much, we must thank Sandra Rowse for helping get us so close. But the biggest thank you is of course to Dame Vera and her wonderful daughter Virginia, and finally the human dynamo Roy.

SE Committee member Roy Wilson recently met with senior local representatives who listened to the detailed case for an NDM, below are some of their comments:

Air Commodore B.B.Batt, DL FCMI RAF. A Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London:

I very much welcome the opportunity to add my strong support to the campaign and trust that, in due course, it will be successful.

Roger Ramsay, Mayor of Havering:

It is my belief that an National Defence Medal is a reasonable and proper way to demonstrate to all HM Armed Forces that their service is appreciated.

Michael White, Havering Council Leader:

You can continue to count on my support for your campaign

The forthcoming Bristol Rovers v Leeds Utd football match, which is raising funds for Help for Heroes, but also showing support for the NDM Campaign, has been rearranged to 27th October.

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/sport/Help-Heroes-benefit-Bristol-Rovers-rearranged-game-Leeds/article-1400101-detail/article.html

Special thanks must go to NDM Committee member Andy Davies for his influence making this happen.

Former Army chief Gen Sir Richard Dannatt is to become a defence adviser to the Tories.

He is expected to be given a seat in the House of Lords, with an announcement expected on Thursday.

But reports that the general may become a minister in a future Tory government have been played down.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8294670.stm

I do support a medal for the wounded because I think it is appropriate way of recognising the commitment and sacrifice of our service personnel who are currently engaged in particularly intense operations in very challenging circumstances. For the same reason I am very pleased to see the creation of the Elizabeth Cross. Sadly many of the first recipients will be from my own constituency.

The arguments you make (For an NDM) are particularly powerful, especially given that many other Commonwealth Countries already have a similar medal.

Perhaps the time has come for the entire system of deciding on awards and medals to be reformed so it is open and transparent and allows for greater engagement with organisations such as yours.

Please do keep me updated with the progress of your campaign.

Yours sincerely,

Linda Gilroy, MP   (Plymouth)

The Repatriation of Private James Prosser of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Welsh will take place on – Thursday, 1st October, 2009

Flypast over Wootton Bassett 11:00 hours

Family Service Starts 12:00 hours

Cortege is expected to leave

RAF Lyneham at about 13:00 hours +/- 30 minutes

Wootton Bassett 13:15 hours +/- 30 minutes

Gable Cross Police Station (A420) 13:40 hours +/- 30 minutes

UK Defence Academy (A420) 13:45 hours +/- 30 minutes

Folly Lay-by (A420)` 13:55 hours +/- 30 minutes

John Radcliffe Hospital (Oxford) 14:25 hours +/- 30 minutes

Regards

Blondie (RMA Poole)

Printed in the Dail Mail, Saturday 19th September:

Dr Richard Taylor MP has responded to a call for support, he said:

"I quite understand and support the wishes for a National Defence Medal as it does seem to me that the award of medals for various campaigns is inequitable as it leaves a lot of servicemen unrewarded for equally arduous campaigns.

When the House resumes I will support any moves that promote the National Defence Medal campaign."

It seems the RBL are fed up with the number of medal queries they receive. But the fact they and the MoD admit to being inundated tells us there is much wrong with the system and far too many anomalies.

http://www.legion-magazine.co.uk/blogs/how-about-a-new-medal-campaign/

Perhaps the editor should take a long hard look to see if they can help turn this situation around.   

I SERVED in the Army for 12 years during the 1960s and 70s and left the Service with no medals.  Five of my years in uniform were spent with a bomb disposal unit which had never officially been “stood down” post-1945 due to the continued need to dispose of German ordnance.

If anything the unit’s taskings became more dangerous as the years passed, with unexploded bombs becoming increasingly unstable.  I, along with many others, faced daily dangers just as life-threatening as those encountered in operational theatres, but apparently deserve nothing for my efforts.

The General Service Medal with bomb and mine clearance clasp was awarded to bomb disposal units from 1945-49. Why was the award discontinued when the dangerous work it recognised continues to this very day?

I volunteered to serve my country and it would be nice to have a tangible symbol of my service to pass on to my sons, as my grandfather did to me.

Ex-sapper R Robinson, Uckfield, East Sussex.