I've got relatives medals too Kieron but I wouldn't feel right wearing them. Widows & children only of the deceased for me I'm afraid. We'll have to disagree on this old chum.
I had a shufti on the Legion's website and while they say it's not technically 'correct', they also say - " One thing is certain, no action will be taken officially if anyone wears a relation's medals". Far as I'm concerned, on a day like today, if someone decides they'll remember a relative better by wearing pink socks and speaking in a put on Scottish accent I couldn't care less - other people's personal choices are nothing to do with me. Entirely up to them, and basically to be respected, as long as no horses are being frightened. Though I did tell two girls to bugger off that were giggling loudly at the front of the crowd at the Village service... don't think they were remembering anything though... just being really annoying.
funny you should say that, didn't one lad wear a pink dress to his mate's funeral who was killed in Afghanistan. Didn't they make a pact to do it if either of them were killed? EDIT. Yup here . Funeral dress man pays tribute to 'true hero' Black Watch soldier killed in Afghanistan - The Daily Record
I've got relatives medals too Kieron but I wouldn't feel right wearing them. Widows & children only of the deceased for me I'm afraid. We'll have to disagree on this old chum. I would have to agree with Owen on this subject. I would just not feel comfortable wearing somthing I personaly had not earned in the presence of the chaps that had. I just wear a rather dark Artillery flaming-bomb collar dog on the lapel to show some respect, I think this is quite sutle enough. Rob
I just wear a rather dark Artillery flaming-bomb collar dog on the lapel to show some respect, I think this is quite sutle enough. Now that I can go with. Don't ask me why it's different , to me it just is.
But did he wear his medals owen?. Look anyone can wear what they want when they want..Ido though worry about odd socks. I wore mine today for first time in 20 years. I do thogh think the war widows and children have a right to be identified and i suppose that was our way to do so untill the QE medal so ill stick to my guns and state how untill then were we to distinguish them if we all wore our relatives awards?
After considering both sides of the arguement i have concluded that I would not wear my Uncles medal. But that is not me taking sides. I would however (if it were in my possession) put an awful lot of time, money and effort into having it mounted properly and professionally in a frame, where i would take pride of place on the mantlepiece.
Urqh maybe I might be clutching at wrong straws here and maybe the question was not aimed at me, but you asked the question "But did he wear his medals Owen?" I personally did not wear them this year but my 7 year son did. below is part of my grandfathers service record with his medal entitlement if you needed clarification. As said we will all have to agree to disagree on this subject
Idont think there are any sides as such mate..untill the QE medal if I saw any one wearing medals on that side I would presume you were a war widow or child of a military casualty as I always presumed was their right to be identified and revered as such. I aint arguing. Im just stating their right to be recognised amongst the rest of us.
Urqh maybe I might be clutching at wrong straws here and maybe the question was not aimed at me, but you asked the question "But did he wear his medals Owen?" I personally did not wear them this year but my 7 year son did. below is part of my grandfathers service record with his medal entitlement if you needed clarification. As said we will all have to agree to disagree on this subject no kieren Iwas referring to owens dmsoldier in a dress story.
Please accept my apologise everyone just a very proud grandson, may need some more herbal tea and an early night...what time is it 1.30 in the morning
I had a shufti on the Legion's website and while they say it's not technically 'correct', they also say - " One thing is certain, no action will be taken officially if anyone wears a relation's medals". Far as I'm concerned, on a day like today, if someone decides they'll remember a relative better by wearing pink socks and speaking in a put on Scottish accent I couldn't care less - other people's personal choices are nothing to do with me. Entirely up to them, and basically to be respected, as long as no horses are being frightened. Though I did tell two girls to bugger off that were giggling loudly at the front of the crowd at the Village service... don't think they were remembering anything though... just being really annoying. Von poop ill have you know ..both my daughters suffer with terrible turrets syndrome...you upset them both and have put their treatment back by years poor loves...2 hours it took me to get them up there...Then all Iget when they rush in the pub is that i lied and the bogey man does exist...my beret dropped into my guiness...cad..
I got called a bully by a laughing grey-haired gent after the service. I now suspect this was in fact... you.
Please accept my apologise everyone just a very proud grandson, may need some more herbal tea and an early night...what time is it 1.30 in the morning I dont think any of us hsve any problems with whst you state Kieron. Im just looking at it from another angle ...not necessarilly the right one..i dont think there is a right one.. But now we have the QE perhaps there is no problem anyway. As for your grandad..you have the right to be proud..we all do with our families..more so if a casualty of war..or even services at other times. But like you im biased..in the best of ways of course.
Hear hear, I think this one's quite interesting and there's no definitely right or wrong viewpoint. (Owen called me a fence-sitter this evening as he knows I wouldn't personally wear another's medals no matter what side of my chest, but I'm still fine seeing kids doing it... yet to be tested on whether I'd let my sprogs do it on their scouty uniforms, as the family medals aren't in our possession. Think I'd probably let 'em polish them and carry in a pocket, but not wear.) Each to their own, and as ever with the service - being there and showing a bit of respect's the really important thing. Apologies surely not required for any disagreement on the details.
Over here during our African Colonial Wars 1961-74 we had a big parade every June where orders and decorations were publicly bestowed. It was quite usual in the case of deceased servicemen for the gongs to be pinned on the widow or child, which made a chilling sight. I believe this would be more than adequate entitlement for the person to wear the medal. In any case I see no impediment for anyone to honour his/her deceased relative by displaying (wearing or better yet carrying) his/her medals in a fitting occasion. Barring the occasional Walt, this will be a very fine sentiment.
urqh, I think the chap in the dress was actually a civie so no medals worn. I had a chance to get myself a GSM with a Northern Ireland clasp, I really didn't fancy that. Our SPSI CSM Andrews asked if any of us fancied going to NI with Royal Hampshires on a Special S-Type Engagement. I really didn't fancy that, enjoyed being a civie too much. That's why I won't wear anyone else's medals as I wasn't prepared to go & get my own.
I remember posting this snap once before on this forum but thought it was appropriate to post it again on this thread. My late brother Mick sadly passed away on the 15th November 2005, the day before the annual AJEX parade at the Cenotaph. For many years it was a custom for the two of us to meet up on the nearby Horseguards Parade Ground and when my sister-in-law suggested I wear his medals on the parade I was happy to comply.
Personally I am not bothered either way; I have people on tours with me all the time wearing relatives medals under the Menin Gate, or in a cemetery. I have no major issue with that as their motives are good. It has nothing to do with Walt-ism. But personally I would never wear anyone else's medals. I have my dad's, and my grandfather's. My dad has NEVER worn his, and I suspect he never will. They are still in the boxes of issue. My daughter often gets them out, and yesterday as she was watching the Cenotaph, wy wife got out her grandfathers MN medals from WW1 and Poppy sat there holding them. Kieron Hill and many others like him do this for the right reason, and all respect to them in the same way they chose to respect their relatives.
