Veteran's Badge

Discussion in 'Postwar' started by militarycross, Dec 23, 2008.

  1. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    I wear my Vets Badge with pride - but my NI medal has pride of place because I really had to earn that - we were a forgotten army - no homecoming parades & no ramp ceremonies for our dead


    Chris,
    Rest assured there are some here who haven't forgotten and appreciate the hardships and sacrifices you all endured.
    D
     
  2. chrisharley9

    chrisharley9 Senior Member

    D

    I know that there are plenty over in Ulster who will never forget us - my thanks

    Chris
     
  3. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    I wear my Vets Badge with pride - but my NI medal has pride of place because I really had to earn that - we were a forgotten army - no homecoming parades & no ramp ceremonies for our dead

    Couldn't agree more.
     
  4. Sheila M

    Sheila M Member

    Sheila,

    I'm sorry I don't agree that doing four years in Germany as part of British Army on the Rhine or nine years posted in England (Home for the week ends) is worthy of a medal. In my opinion that would devalue the medals earned by members of the forces spent in rather unpleasant parts of the world who really earned them inc. the 18 months of my life.

    May I suggest that medal hunters should have joined combat units rather than rear ech units if medals were what they are after. Failing that they could have applied to a comabt unit once they realised they were so far to the rear they had to send their washing forward. (Squaddie joke)

    At the end of the day medals are awarded for recognition that usually entails some form of sacrifice in one way or another. I don't see how joining the forces in itself is a sacrifice worthy of a medal.

    Regards
    Andy

    Andy,

    The old gentleman I was speaking to this afternoon who had served in North Africa and Italy would disagree with you. In the course of our conversation I asked him if a National Defence Medal would devalue the medals he had earned - he replied with a resounding "NO". He was of the opinion that anyone who had served Queen and Country (or in his case King and Country) should be awarded more than an 80p badge.

    For what it is worth, my son joined the RAOC, which was most definitely NOT a stay at home regiment. And no, he wasn't a medal hunter. I'm not at liberty to tell you what his job was and I doubt I know the full story anyway.

    The campaign was started because Australia and New Zealand (who share our Queen) have issued their troops with an NDM and they, quite rightly I think, want to know why British troops can't have one. I can see their point.

    In fact, I can see both sides of the argument for and against an NDM and I have no wish to offend you or anyone else on here, particularly as this is such an emotive topic.
     
  5. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Sheila,

    You haven't offended me.....I just don't agree with a NDM or equivalent thats all (See post 33).

    Regards
    Andy
     
  6. spider

    spider Very Senior Member

    Obviously the RBL has no problems with this.

    Double standards and profiteering?

    At least the RSL doesn't endorse these types of products.

    As a matter of interest the RSL QLD turned down over $1000,000.00AUD in sponsorship from a brewer.
     

    Attached Files:

  7. urqh

    urqh Senior Member

    These exist, no one said they didn't. The RBL does nothing wrong in selling such. It goes to their funds if they sell them and not to someone else's funds. There is obviously a call for them or they would not exist or be sold.

    That is not the point though is it? The debate is on the awarding of such as an official and thereby accepted MOD wearing on parades for the use of..

    These are not. The RBL does no wrong in selling them, if they didnt, someone else would and does.

    The RBL would be the first to tell you they are not official awards and cannot be worn as such.
     
  8. urqh

    urqh Senior Member

    What is the difference between ‘official’ and ‘commemorative’ medals?

    The term ‘official’ could be used to describe any medals for which Her Majesty, or her predecessors, has given approval. Only these medals are permissible for wear on a service uniform. Commemorative medals are those which have been produced by organisations or private medal companies to commemorate particular branches of service or areas of operations. Examples of popular commemorative medals are:



    • The National Service Medal
    • Allied Ex-Prisoners of War Medal
    • The Dunkirk Medal
    • British Forces Germany Medal
    Commemorative medals such as the examples listed are not issued by the MoD Medal Office and may be purchased from either the private medal company that produces them or from a reputable medal dealer. The Royal British Legion or other Veterans Associations may also be able to offer you further advice should you wish to purchase commemorative medals which cover your time or areas of service.
     
  9. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Does anyone know if this badge was promoted publically?

    I only ask as I never heard of it until I joined this forum and have just printed off quite a few application forms for some patients where I work, some being WW2 Vets and others from Korea to the Falklands.

    None of them seem to have heard of it until one of them asked me about mine that I wear on my uniform at work.

    I've made up a pack to place on the said Ward for the nurses to distribute accordingly.
     
  10. spider

    spider Very Senior Member

    I have given a number of the applications to UK Vets here in Australia, all with resulting badges sent.

    Spider
     
  11. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Just filled in my application form for the badge mainly to get something free from the Government.
    I don't think myself as a 'veteran' but as I meet the qualifying criteria then so be it.
    Didn't see any action only did training exercises in various places.
     
  12. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    You don't have to 'see action' to be a veteran mate. I got mine a couple of years ago-Thanks to the forum.

    I volunteered for all my tours as I felt it was the right thing to do (Especially seeing as I was being paid-I never was or will be one to take money for nothing in return) and spent 18 months of my life overseas sorting out other peoples problems so I guess I earned mine ;)
     
  13. williams46

    williams46 WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    I was in contact with a person who now lives in Perth Australia and was informed if I served in the British Armed Forces during 1939 and 1945 I could apply for a Veteran badge, he gave me the address of where to apply. Being I have my AB 64 part 1, also a card from Infantry Records Preston listing my details of service, and my Demob book. (incidentally need when applying for American Citizenship in 1960) I decided to send for one. Its a cute little thing, one inch tall and 3/4 of an inch wide, its nestled in a hinged box similar to a finger ring box. I printed the necessary information and received the Badge. I thought it strange as it was mailed from France, nice having the French help out. I later applied for the Victory medal, I was informed of the heavy demand, (British Civil Servants so grossly overworked) so it would be some time before I may receive mine. I later received it. Why did I apply for both? same as the answer given by a mountaineer, "Because its there".
     
  14. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    My badge just arrived in the post.
     
  15. Wills

    Wills Very Senior Member

    An old hand who pops in for pint now and again chatted to me on Armistice day, he had been Mercantile Marine and had completed runs to Korea with the RFA - ran off an application form for him and he duly got his enamel Red Ensign (Merchant) and another for RFA service,pleases me to see him wearing them all of the time.

    The Merchant Seafarers Badge
     

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