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NO to Veterans

Posted by National Defence Medal on February 27, 2009 at 2:47 AM

“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to allow retired members of HM Forces and Emergency Services who served for a period of 5 years during the Reign of HM the Queen to be allowed to purchase and wear with honour and pride either the Queens Silver or Golden Jubilee Medal.”
“The dedication and professionalism of retired members of HM Forces and Emergency Services who served the Queen during her reign needs to be recognised. Allowing those who served for a period of 5 years during her reign to purchase and wear either the Queen’s Silver or Golden Jubilee Medal would allow those who believe they were overlooked and somewhat undervalued to show others that they served their Queen with great pride and dedication. Criteria being 5 years service during first 25 years reign for Silver Jubilee Medal and 5 years service during next 25 years reign for Golden Jubilee Medal. Some would be eligible for both. This would be a no cost option for the Government but allow those who qualified to receive rightful recognition as many believe that the criteria for the issuing of these medals was too restricted and was basically down to cost. Do the right thing now and make amends to those who served and allow them to show others they served with dedication and loyalty.”

 

The Government’s (predictable) response

 

Medals are awarded by Her Majesty The Queen on the advice of an independent committee.  This is a process that has been in place for many years.
The service of our Armed Forces, on behalf of the nation, is beyond doubt, and this is more widely recognised throughout the United Kingdom than at any time in our recent history.  For many, wearing medals is an important part of that recognition.  The Golden Jubilee medal acknowledged this fact, being awarded to anyone in the Armed Forces in adult full-time service, who had completed five years service and was serving on 6 February 2002, the 50th anniversary of the Queen’s Accession.
With regard to The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal (QSJM), only some 35,000 were minted, of which about 9,000 were allocated to the Armed Forces - around 3% of the Armed Forces at the time.  Although the necessarily strict and quite complex instructions specifying how the relatively few medals were to be distributed resulted in a great deal of disappointment, this should in no way detract from the contribution made by all who serve the nation, whose dedication and professionalism has never been in doubt.

 

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18 Comments

Reply National Defence Medal
3:16 AM on February 27, 2009 
More information:

The original decision about eligibility for the Queen's Golden Jubilee medal was taken in 2001 by the Ministerial Group on the Golden Jubilee. The Golden Jubilee Unit which supported the Group, closed down after the event. DCMS?s main role was to consider the planning of the celebrations and after the event and to date has been to deal with residual enquiries relating to the criteria for eligibility for the medal. We are not responsible for deciding on individual cases or changes to eligibility.
The Cabinet Office Honours and Appointments Secretariat is responsible for matters related to honours and other civilian service awards. Their work covers the provision of advice on all honours matters, coordinating policy on the award of decorations and medals in the UK, the receipt, acknowledgement and processing of honours nominations made by members of the public and policy on, and assessment of, individual cases leading to civilian gallantry awards. As such policy decisions relating to the Queens Golden Jubilee Medal, the qualifications criteria and consultation with The Committee on the Grants of Honours, Decorations and Medals (HD Committee) fall under the remit of the Cabinet Office.
We have contacted colleagues in the Honours and Appointments Secretariat who have advised that you direct your request to the address provided below.
Cabinet Office
Honours and Appointments Secretariat
Ground Floor
Admiralty Arch
London SW1A 2WH
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7276 2777
Fax: +44 (0)20 7276 2766
E-mail: [email protected]
Reply John Anderson
4:16 AM on February 27, 2009 
Perhaps our illustrious leader misunderstood the question?
Had one asked " Tell me a little about the history of these medals" Then perhaps this would have a been a suitable response.
This is nothing but an insult to the dedication and professionalism of those that have served.
Myself and other members of my family have already purchased our QSJM and QGJMs and intend to wear them with honour and pride , I wonder how many others will join us? Perhaps If enough of us do this by way of a protest , as those that wear the PJM did, then maybe the government will weaken and make a u-turn (they're good at that!)
It's already too late for many veterans, this needs to be addressed NOW.
Reply Charles Lovelace.
5:06 AM on February 27, 2009 
The standard form of response with the final sentence being both patronising and deceitful. Penned no doubt by some civil servant who has never even served.
No wonder we hold them in such contempt.
Reply Charles E. Ronald
6:06 AM on February 27, 2009 
Icannot agree with the above, whereby it is suggested that 5 years should have been served in order to qualify fo the (QSJM ) I served 3 years with the RAF called up as a national serviceman this should not be a reason even considered for me not having the same rights or entitlements as colleagues who served for longer.
incidently my Father lost his life serving king and country during the last war as did 3 very close uncles .
Reply pete
7:29 AM on February 27, 2009 
Well it bloody well DOES detract from my contribution, so Sir, please listen and RETRACT your statement and revise this divisive criteria!
Reply Gerry Peck
8:37 AM on February 27, 2009 
Gentlemen, I refer you to the governments own figures regarding the QSJM, 35,000 were minted and 9000 were 'allocated' to the Armed forces. In effect a raffle and a pretty poorly organised one at that. It begs the question of whence the other 26,000 minted medals went? Certainly the Armed Forces 'share' of the spoils was not very great was it? It is proof positive, were any more needed, that the very last people on the list when it comes to handouts, are the veterans. Our contribution is past and done with, now we are nothing more than a bit of a nuisance and not even worthy of a moments consideration when it comes to a trifling award that the veterans of other countries can take for granted.

Toy soldiers to aid recruiting, raffles for medals, what next? They have the gall to call the Imperial Awards system the most envied in the world? I call it the greatest farce and a damnable insult to the blood, sweat and tears of good men and women. The MoD are barking mad,

Gerry.
Reply Snowdrop
8:58 AM on February 27, 2009 
This lot aren't fit to wipe the boots of men and women who have, and who continue to serve in uniform. They make the rules up as they go along and change them as and when its suits their purpose. I have nothing but contempt for them and their ilk. They do no service to Her Majesty and are now seen as a laughing stock around the world with their antiquated, prejudiced, opinionated, pompous and self indulgant attitudes. Kick the bloody lot of 'em out or better still put us all in a room with them and see what happens!
Reply Flyboy
12:26 PM on February 27, 2009 
There must be somebody in the MoD with an ounce of common sense and integrity. So I shall appeal to that person should they read this post. Please give us some insight into what they need to sway them to DO THE RIGHT THING (got the quote frome the home page).
Reply p.j.wilson
1:41 PM on February 27, 2009 
It has been a disappointment to me since 1977 and I expected no less from these inept , self important prigs!! I am seriously thinking of buying one anyway and wearing it with my 'bling' medals as a commemorative as Charles does.
Reply Ex Korea
2:13 PM on February 27, 2009 
I note from the Government's response above that The Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal seems to have been restricted to those in FULL TIME SERVICE. I recall that it was the same government - or was it Mr Coney's decision- that refused to issue a National Service Medal because it would have been devisive and, presumably, discriminated against FULL TIME SERVICE personnel. This appears to me to be contradictory and a little unfair especially considering that a number of "part timers" volunteered for active service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It only takes a microsecond to be killed or wounded in action din't you know! You don't have serve full time for oblivion.

Ah well!
Reply JP
3:37 PM on February 27, 2009 
I can confirm TA did qualify if they'd completed bounty earning years, by the way so did Cadet forces etc.
But I remain of the opinion that they could have headed off this particular campaign by issuing to all Vets along ADM lines.
Furthermore they could use the Diamond jubilee to issue a medal to all vets (and serving) if they haven't buckled to an NDM by then. I suppose that will give the MoD another 4 years for vets numbers to deplete. Sad but I'd not be surprised if they thought in those terms.
Reply p.j.wilson
3:12 PM on February 28, 2009 
Reading Award products 'blurb' for a replacement/copy of the Silver Jubilee medal it states -Silver Jubilee Medal (1977)
[QSLF] £30.00
'The Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal 1977 is a die-struck, museum quality replica medals authorised by the Ministry of Defence and struck to the same exacting standards as the original medal. '
If it is authorised by the MOD why cannot Veterans buy and wear it officially ? Or am I just being a 'thick squaddie'
Reply Ape
1:50 PM on March 1, 2009 
Put this way, I can't see anybody marching you off to Pokey
Reply Hippo
7:43 PM on March 2, 2009 
"The Queen?s Silver Jubilee Medal (QSJM), relatively few medals were to be distributed resulted in a great deal of disappointment,"
Absolutely correct, surely this was an oportunity to make amends, at no cost to the MOD, a benefit to forces charity and a huge sense of pride to the the veteran wearing it on parade. Where is the harm in this?
Reply [email protected]
10:45 AM on March 6, 2009 
The Malaysian Government awarded us the PJM,approved by the Queen,but not by our Government. What more can you say about the possability of us ever getting the NDM - None
"Spike" Window - Mbe,Rvm
Reply Old Sweat
5:39 AM on March 12, 2009 
As an old friend recently commented. The reasoning on the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, to have the one date 06/02/02, as the datum point which did eliminate many long serving personnel, was Machiavellian in purpose and usage. Another clear message that the Ministry of Deceit is cost driven in all of its medal musings. We have to put ourselves out if we want to get the NDM Spike, a bunch of us putting out a wreath at the Cenotaph for all veterans that have died unrecognised would stir the pot.


OS.
Reply Andy
12:20 AM on March 14, 2009 
While living in the British Virgin Islands, I noticed some members of the Royal Virgin islands Police Force wearing the QGJM, issued no doubt due to the BVI being an Overseas territory of the UK, what a shame our vets were not offered the same chance as those police officers.
Reply Terry
10:05 AM on April 3, 2016 
The response from the government does not say NO! Could I suggest that all veterans go out and buy a QSJM and wear it! What are the government going to do arreset all people who are wearing it? I don't think so!

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