Campaign News

EDM 327 was first put down on 2nd December 2009

That this House notes the significant personal sacrifice armed forces personnel make in their service to the nation once they take the oath or of allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen; acknowledges our ex-service personnel are proud to receive and wear Her Majesty’s Veterans Badge, but notes that it is not awarded posthumously and it is considered by many to be insufficient recognition for the contribution veterans have made to the safety of the Nation since the ending of the Second World War; and therefore calls on Her Majesty’s Government to rescind their recent decision not to more appropriately recognise our veterans by the award of a National Defence Medal and instead to establish a working group to work with the Committee on the Grant of Honours Decorations and Medals, with a view to implementing a National Defence Medal as soon as possible.

NOW IS TIME TO START LOBBYING IN EARNEST

Check progress: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMList.aspx

One of our supportter recently recived a reply from his Labour MP.  It is refreshing to see a really positive attitude, so we have included some quotes below:

"Thank you for writing to me with regard to the forthcoming Early Day Motion which calls for the introduction of a National Defence Medal. As the son of someone who risked his life at D-Day for the freedoms we enjoy today, and as a father whose son joined the army. I care very deeply about the treatment of our veterans and their families. The sacrifice our brave men and women offer our country is never far from my mind, and I am committed to securing the best for them.

I strongly believe we should do as much as possible to honour veterans for their outstanding service to our country. A few years back. I spear headed a campaign to get the Ministry of Defence to reconsider issuing campaign medals to the veterans of the Suez conflict. I obtained an Adjournment Debate in the House of Commons during which I said that the Suez vets should be recognised. and led a delegation to meet with Sir Richard Wilson. the then Cabinet Secretary who, as a result of the Adjournment Debate was asked by the Prime Minister to thoroughly investigate the matter. As a result of the delegation’s compelling arguments the Prime Minister appointed a special committee chaired by General Lord Guthrie to which I gave evidence, and which granted the exceptional award of a service medal for the Suez Canal Zone. I have also welcomed the Labour Government’s introduction of Veteran’s Badges and an Armed Forces Day. initiatives that ensure more recognition is given to our servicemen.

I strongly support the aims of the National Defence Medal campaign."

Bob Blizzard MP (Labour)

With the large number of casualties in Afghanistan in the last twelve month, this year’s Remembrance Sunday will be especially poignant and painful for many families and communities.

Yet as we remember and salute the sacrifice of so many over all too many wars, it is slightly shocking that this Autumn the Ministry of Defence rejected the proposal for a National Defence Medal to recognise the efforts of everyone who has served in our armed forces.

The British Veterans’ National Defence Medal (NDM) Campaign has a simple objective: to give full official recognition to our sailors, marines, soldiers and airmen who have served the nation since the Second World War.

So whether they served during the Korean War, or in Cyprus, or the Cold War – when hundreds of men and women died on duty – or in the troubles in Northern Ireland, the veterans leading this campaign want to ensure that all our ex-servicemen and women are honoured.

Before backing this campaign, I asked the obvious question: “Won’t this devalue the honours system more widely?” The answer “no” was compelling – not least as it came by way of example after example of men and women who had risked their lives for us whilst in the armed forces yet had received little or no recognition, beyond a lapel badge.

In a recent report* examining all the arguments for and against such a new medal, the situation in other countries is compared. Australia, New Zealand and the USA all have the type of medal our British veterans seek.

Is it so very much to ask, for the British Government to the same for our “Forgotten Heroes”?     http://www.edwarddavey.co.uk/web/?q=node/171

I realise how important a medal can be to both serving soldiers and veterans alike. Our servicemen and women deserve recognition for their service; there is an understanding in our society that when we send people out to fight and potentially die in our name, our part of the bargain is to make sure that they are thanked and their families are properly looked after.

I must say that I am very sympathetic to the idea of introducing a National Defence Medal. The current Armed Forces Veterans badge, while admirable, is not suitable for official wear on parade.

There is considerable precedent for such a medal abroad, and both France and – as you point out - Australia award a service medal to veterans. The Australian Defence Medal seems to be a particularly suitable model on which to base a British equivalent.

Geoffrey Cox, QC, MP

Andrew Marr is to interview Sir Jock Stirrup on Sunday morning 8 Nov. The BBC are requesting questions from viewers for Sir Jock here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8345429.stm

A chance to ask about the broken Military Covenant and a role the NDM could play in help fixing it?

A team from the British Forces Broadcasting Service captured moments from the recent London press conference. Several MPs, MEP and a Lord were amongst the guests.

http://www.bfbs-tv.com/pages/extranet/new-defence-medal---dur-310-i-2654.php

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.

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)