Campaign News

British Veterans National Defence Medal (NDM) Campaign

Blog

« Back to Blog « Older Entry | Newer Entry »

Linda Gilroy, MP - Medal system needs reform

National Defence Medal Posted by National Defence Medal at 09:33 AM on September 30, 2009

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)

 

 

Categories: Campaign News

Post a Comment

Already a member? Sign In

16 Comments

Reply Marty Ed
11:14 AM on September 30, 2009
Promising comments from a Labour MP, but then she is in a military area. Will she speak up about it to her colleagues though?
Reply Ernie Yeomans
02:32 AM on October 01, 2009
Until such times as the overbearing influence of the Civil Service, particularly negative thinkers like Mr T Warburton, is curtailled and the military have a much greater say on these issues we are banging our heads against a brick wall.

It is not enough for politicians such as Ms Gilroy to write in support of our cause. It is time those politicians realised that they are sent to Westminster to represent us and our wishes. Ms Gilroy and others who profess support should stand up in parliament and demand action, at PMQ for instance.

If a private company sent its employees into a dangerous situation without adequate equipment to garrantee the employee's health and safety they would be prosecuted for being in breach of Health & Safety regulations. If that action resulted in fatalities they would, in all likeyhood, be prosecuted for 'corporate homicide'. Catch my drift?
Matty
Reply Matty
06:31 AM on October 02, 2009
I agree actions speak louder than words. Somebody needs to get off their backside in Whitehall and start working to change things.
Reply Jim Jacobs
11:45 AM on October 02, 2009
There should not only be a Defence Medal for ALL who served, but some distinction should be made to identify the front line soldiers from those who from no fault of their own were 100 miles behind the line. At present all receive the same campaign medal. Several countries, including Australia, have an Active Service Medal, only awarded to the frontline (fighting) personnel.
Reply Linseed Lancer
12:10 PM on October 02, 2009
Sorry Jim, but I can't entirely agree. The whole point of the NDM is to reward everyone who serves Queen and country, reggardless of rank or service. Those in the theatre should still recieve their campaign medal to recognise their participation, which I agree could be embelished with a rosette for those in the front line. But what about those who serve in the logistical chain? Those who keep the front line supplied from the UK. Isn't their contribution worth recognising?
Reply The Prof
12:12 PM on October 02, 2009
Jim, a rosette seemed to work with the Falklands SAM medal.
Reply Terry Donnelly
03:16 PM on October 02, 2009
Linseed Lancer says...
Sorry Jim, but I can't entirely agree. The whole point of the NDM is to reward everyone who serves Queen and country, reggardless of rank or service. Those in the theatre should still recieve their campaign medal to recognise their participation, which I agree could be embelished with a rosette for those in the front line. But what about those who serve in the logistical chain? Those who keep the front line supplied from the UK. Isn't their contribution worth recognising?

As John Milton rightly said " They also serve who only stand and wait" .
Front line troops need the support of all kinds of ancilliary personnel.... and who is watching the chicken coop when they're off hunting the fox?
Reply Linseed Lancer
02:22 AM on October 03, 2009
Good point about minding the store Terry, but what store? Did you see the piece in the Mail yesterday where Ainsworth(less) admits that he can't supply the troops in Afghanitsan with what they need. Years ago he would have taken his service revolver into his study and done the honourable thing. He should resign - NOW.
Linseed Lancer
Reply Linseed Lancer
03:01 AM on October 03, 2009
Jim Jacobs advocates a special award for, I quote " front line (fighting) personnel". I recommend that he reads the citation for Pte Michelle Norris MC RAMC. She won her MC in Iraq. Read her story Jim, it will open your eyes to the fact that not all front line troops are 'fighting' troops.
Reply Jim Jacobs
07:53 AM on October 03, 2009
To Linseed Lancer et al - I quite agree that many non-combatants serve in the frontline and should receive the sort of recognition I suggested, i.e. an Active Service Medal like the Aussie one. My unit in Korea, for example, included a troop medic, Cpl Colin Lowes RAMC, who was awarded a George Medal for extracting my seriously wounded mates from a minefield, telling us to keep back as we could set off other mines, he would do whatever was necessary himself. However, 1st Commonwealth Division included a large number of supply personnel who never heard a gun fired, friendly or otherwise, yet received the same medal as us.No rosettes were awarded for frontline troops in Korea, but it would have been nice.
Linseed Lancer
Reply Linseed Lancer
09:51 AM on October 03, 2009
Now I've got it straight Jim and I agree with you that some distinction should be made for those in the 'battle zone' rather than just the theatre. My late brother served in the Korean theatre, at the Base hospital at Kuri in Japan, but still got the UK and UN medals for Korea. Prof's Falklands SAM with rosette idea seems a good one, although I don't know how that worked as it was after my time. Perhaps the Prof could tell me?
Reply The Prof
10:42 AM on October 03, 2009
To qualify for the award the recipient had to have at least one full day's service in the Falklands or South Georgia, or 30 day's in the operational zone including Ascension Island. Those who qualified under the first condition were additionally awarded a Rosette for wear on the ribbon.

See http://www.britains-smallwars.com/Medals/Falk.htm
jameswjacobs2@btinternet.com
Reply jameswjacobs2@btinternet.com
11:19 AM on October 03, 2009
The pressure must be kept up in the press, thru our MP's, of all persuasions, for a NDM. If Australian Politicians can persuade the Queen to approve of one, she is our Queen too, and those in power should be reminded that we served Her faithfully, also her father KGV1 for many of us.
Linseed Lancer
Reply Linseed Lancer
11:21 AM on October 03, 2009
Thanks for the clarification Prof.
jameswjacobs2@btinternet.com
Reply jameswjacobs2@btinternet.com
07:10 AM on October 04, 2009
To Prof and Linseed Lancer. According to Medal News, a rosette should only be worn on a ribbon when only the ribbon is worn on a uniform by serving personnel,and should not be attached to the medal's ribbon when the medal is worn, i.e.on veterans parades.Any thoughts on that ?
jameswjacobs2@btinternet.com
Reply jameswjacobs2@btinternet.com
07:49 AM on October 04, 2009
Further to my comment about rosettes, My apologies to Falklands vets. The wearing of rosettes on ribbons attached to uniforms denotes that a clasp was awarded with the medal. As no clasps were awarded for the SAM it is correct to wear the rosette on medal ribbons whenever vets gather.