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Veterans Minister; Andrew Robatham
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Post Veterans Minister; Andrew Robatham 
Copy of email sent to the Veterans Minister.
If Andrew Robatham is your MP contact him and ask him about this email i.e. make sure he gets it.

To The Rt Hon Andrew Robatham MP Veterans Minister
From Paul Alders

Dear Andrew,
Much has been said and written about the acceptance and wear of foreign medals including the rules, I for one fully agree that there must be rules and you have my assurance that I will obey these rules but only on two conditions.
One; these rules must be approved by Parliament.
Two; these rules are applied consistently.
The rules in place at this moment in time have not been approved by Parliament and have been applied inconsistently also in the case of the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal (PJM) have been applied in retrospect.
Below are just some of the reasons why there should be an urgent review of the refusal to let Veterans wear the PJM which has been accepted.
Should you wish to meet to discuss this issue we can visit you in London or Leicester at a time and date to suit you.
I thank you and your staff for their time and look forward to hearing from you.
Kind Regards
Paul


Foreign awards with permission to wear.

Rhodesia Medal        
Indian Independence Medal        
Pakistan Medal        
Ceylon Armed Forces Inauguration Medal        
Malawi Independence Medal        
Guyanan Independence Medal (Worn by HRH FM Duke of Kent
Fiji Independence Medal        
Papua New Guinea Independence Medal        
Solomon Islands Independence Medal        
Gilbert Islands Independence Medal        
Ellis Islands Independence Medal        
St Christopher Nevis & Anguilla Independence Medal        
Service Medal of the Order of St John of Jerusalem        
Belize Defence Force 15th Anniversary Medal        
Interfet Medal (Australia) (International Force East Timor)
Nigeria Independence Medal        
Kenya Campaign Medal (North Eastern Kenya)
Malay Active Service Medal        
Malaysian GSM        
Royal Brunei Armed Forces Silver Jubilee Medal        
Pingat Laila Tugas Brunei GSM        
Unitas Medal - BMATT South Africa        
Malta GC 50th Anniversary of the War Medal        
Brunei Silver Jubilee Medal        
Iraq Active Service Medal        
Iraq Floods Medal        
Iran Coronation Medal        
Vietnam Service Medal        
Oman GSM (Dhofar)        
As Sumood Medal - Oman        
Peace Medal - Operational Emblem Oman        
Peace Medal (Oman)        
Accession Medal (Oman)        
10th Anniversary Day Medal (Oman)        
Russian 40th Anniversary of the War 1985        
Order of the Special Royal Emblem (Oman)        
Glorious 15th National Day Medal (Oman)        
Glorious 20th National Day Medal (Oman)        
Glorious 25th National Day Medal (Oman)        
Glorious 30th National Day Medal (Oman)        
Kuwait Military Service Medal (5 years long service, awarded to loan personnel)
 Glorious 35th National Day Medal (Oman)
Antigua and Barbuda 25th Anniversary Medal

This list does not include the vast amount of foreign medals awarded to individuals such as a Czech medal awarded to Baroness Lena Jaeger and the Malaysian PPN awarded to Roy Follows.


Double Medals

South Africa War. Under the rules it was not possible to qualify for the King’s South Africa Medal (KSA) without also qualifying for the Queen’s (QSA). The opposite was possible. QSA was for one day in SA 11th October 1899 to 31st May 1902. The KSA was from 1st January 1900 to 31st December 1902 provided the individual had completed 18 months in SA.

Great War. It was impossible to qualify for the Allied Victory Medal without also qualifying for the British War Medal. For those serving in an operational theatre before 1st January 1916 there was also one of the Stars. The British War Medal (BWM) could be earned alone by overseas non-operational service e.g. in India. In view of the horror of the conflict this is probably not a good example to quote in relation to the overall War. However, in actions, very similar to those in “peace” gaining a GSM, personnel on the North West Frontier of India within specified areas and dates ranging from 28th November 1914 to 10th October 1915 received all three WWI medals. In similar circumstances the award of the BWM and Victory Medal continued after 1st January 1916.

World War Two. Similar to the above, troops in India during the War qualified for the Defence Medal for one year (360 days) non-operational service overseas. They also qualified for the War Medal 1939-45 after 28 days. As in the Great War there were periods of conflict on the North West Frontier and, described in the same way as are those for single GSMs in peace, by map reference and date, the 1939-45 Star was given on six occasions between 3rd February 1940 and 18th August 1942. So a man in that area throughout the War qualified for three medals in circumstances which would have earned him one at most between the Wars.

World War Two. Only by detailing the different qualifications can an argument be made that there were not two or more for the same thing. Anyone getting a Star also got the War Medal 1939-45 for 28 days service. The Stars were for operational service and, for the army and RAF, were normally for entry to a theatre. Six months (180 days) on operations and the 1939-45 Star would be earned. In the Navy for those afloat the 1939-45 Star was usually a prerequisite to getting the area Star. However, the classic was the Atlantic Star. To get this required 180 days to earn the 1939-45 Star and a further 180 days to earn the Atlantic Star. As the qualification was that the 1939-45 Star had to be earned before beginning to qualify for the Atlantic Star, but any of the period spent in the Atlantic could count towards the Atlantic Star it would be possible to spend six months in the Atlantic earning the Atlantic Star, one day in the Pacific earning the Pacific Star and a further 180 days in the Pacific earning the Atlantic Star! This is two medals for one campaign with a vengeance and also evidence of incredible lack of sensitivity in that a man in the major Battle of the Atlantic for 359 days would not get the Atlantic Star. As Merchant Seamen qualified only while at sea there must be a number who did not qualify.

World War Two. The Atlantic Star, Air Crew Europe Star and France and Germany Star were all alternatives with the second being denoted by a bar, nothing more if all three were earned. If this was to avoid two medals for one campaign it was stretching credibility. In the Far East the Burma Star and Pacific Stars were also alternatives with bars. However, in these cases, for some unstated reason, Hong Kong (25th December 1941), China (15th February 1942), Malaya (15th February 1942) and Sumatra (23rd March 1942) earned the Pacific Star up to the date in brackets. The next day they earned the Burma Star, actually the bar if they had the Pacific Star.

Korean War. Already mentioned. It is perhaps worth mentioning that the Australians in Korea can now wear up to five medals. The Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75 and Australian Service Medal 1945-75 both have Korea bars. I believe they are also allowed to wear the Korean President’s Medal. New Zealand has its own GSM in bronze with a bar Korea and their Service Medal which goes to all who have been on operations since 1945. Canada has the Volunteer Service Medal for Korea. All these are in addition to the original two.

UN Congo. The troops with the UN in the Congo (ONUC) got the UN Truce Supervisory Medal with a bar Congo on the ribbon, both when worn with the medal and on the ribbon alone. This was for service from 10th July 1960 to 30th June 1964. In 1966 a new ribbon, the first of the different UN ribbons was introduced, and the bar was dropped. The only British personnel qualifying were those seconded to Commonwealth forces. In 1962 Ghana awarded all its troops, including British, a Ghana Congo Medal with bar Congo. This was given restricted permission for wear, probably due to the two medal rule and as Ghana was not a favourite Commonwealth country at the time. In 1965 Sierra Leone produced a GSM with bar Congo for service from 26th January 1962 to 28th February 1963. This medal bore the Queen’s head and was for British personnel with the Royal Sierra Leone Forces in Congo. This also received restricted permission for wear, probably due to the two medal rule and because Ghana already had the same restriction. I was told, but never confirmed it, that a General used to wear the old UN as well as the new one saying that the old one was issued by the Nigerians with whom he served. In the case of the Sierra Leone GSM, if worn it took precedence before the ONUC Service Medal. Expensive for the holder.

Kenya. Seconded personnel with the Kenyan forces from 12th December 1963 to 30th November 1967 on operations against the Somali Shifta in North Eastern Kenya were awarded the Kenya Campaign Medal (North Eastern Kenya). No other medals involved here.

Malaya/Malaysia. Two variations on the theme. Those on secondment to the Malay Regiment from 31st August 1957 to 31st July 1960 earned the Malay Active Service Medal in addition to the British GSM clasp Malaya. Although slightly out of the two medal myth, those in North Borneo on 23rd/24th December 1962 would have received the GSM with clasp Brunei on the first day and after 30 days got the GSM 1962 with clasp Borneo. Other dates and medals are on the sheet I prepared earlier on this area and include some anomalies, especially for Naval personnel attached to Army units to keep them busy during a refit.

Oman. Seconded and contract personnel serving with the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) in Dhofar Province for 14 days from 23rd May 1965 to 30th June 1976 received the Omani GSM with bar Dhofar. In the period from 23rd May 1965 to 2nd December 1975, for 30 days service anywhere in Oman, they also received the As Sumood Medal (Endurance Medal referring to the length of the War). From 1st July 1976 the Peace Medal was instituted for one year’s service. Those in Dhofar also received the Operational Award (emblem on the ribbon). The final date for the medal was 17th November 1985 and for the Emblem 1st July 1984. By contrast with Malaya, and using the two medal myth, British personnel in SAF were not allowed the GSM 1962 with clasp Dhofar but they mostly had two Omani medals, and not a few had three, and no one challenged this.

Former Yugoslavia. There are at least ten medals relating to this area. UNPROFOR (former Yugoslavia); ECMM (Former Yugoslavia); UN Special Service Medal (Op Cheshire); NATO Former Yugoslavia; UNMIK (Kosovo); NATO Kosovo; NATO (Macedonia); WEUM Former Yugoslavia 1992; ESDP (Bosnia); NATO Non Article 5. At least two more exist for Police in Macedonia. Rules are basically designed to avoid two medals for one campaign except where the full qualifying service has been done for each. Large numbers of UN troops getting their Service Medal for UNPROFOR must have moved to NATO and after the requisite period receive the NATO Medal with bar Former Yugoslavia. With this number of medals for different organisations, but in the same area, there must be many with more than one.

Operational Command. Similar to the above, other places have more than one medal dependent on the organisation under which one served. Examples where there is scope for double medalling are:

a. In Cambodia the UNAMIC UN Service Medal was for 90 days with the Advisory Mission from 1st October 1991 to 31st March 1992. The UNTAC UN Service Medal was for 90 days with the Transitional Authority from 31st March 1992 to 30th September 1993. It is highly likely that some personnel worked for both missions and got both medals. All other changes in mission title for the UN have carried with them the original ribbon for the medal; this one did not.
b. East Timor where the Australian INTERFET Medal (30 days 16th September 1999 to 10th April 2000) was issued to those working with the Australian forces and the UNAMET/UNTAET UN Service Medal (90 days from 7th June 1999) went to those under UN Command.
c. Similarly in Sierra Leone the British Forces got the OSM Sierra Leone (with a bewildering variation of qualifying periods dependent on the Operation involved of one day; 14 days; 6 days; 21 days; 30 days; or 45 days from 5th May 2000 to 31st July 2002) while those with the UN got the UNOMSIL/UNAMSIL UN Service Medal (90 days from 1st June 1998).
d. The situation in Afghanistan is confused. Initially our troops got the OSM (5 days; 21 days; 21 days plus 6 sorties; 21 days; or 30 days from 11th September 2001). Since then there is a NATO Non-Article 5 Medal with bar NTM-ISAF (International Security in Afghanistan) and now troops appear to be under European Command.
e. In the Congo we have the OSM Congo and MONUC UN Service Medal for those under UN Command (90 days from 30th November 1999). Europe also wanted a Medal for the Congo but, presumably it has been rejected by us, as it was for consideration with the OSM.
f. The Iraq Medal is given for service of 7 days; 10 days; or 30 days from 20th January 2003. There is also a NATO Non-Article 5 Medals with bar NTM-IRAQ (NATO Training Mission). In addition Royal Military Police bodyguards to the Embassy Staff in Baghdad, a very dangerous task, apparently qualify for no medal because they are not under Command the British Force Commander. Possibly also because the FCO Diplomats get no medals. In this context the Defence Attaché in Israel applied for the Gulf Medal but was turned down. He pointed out that Israel received more Scuds than Saudi Arabia and troops in Cyprus got none, but they all got the medal.
g. I cannot find a list of Zones for the Iraq Medal but I am fairly certain that they will overlap with those for the OSM Afghanistan which include Oman, UAE, Bahrein, Kuwait. It seems unlikely that a RAF Technician working on aircraft maintenance will only service aircraft going to one area. I am sure that some way of restricting eligibility to one medal has been attempted, but it seems likely that some will have been able to qualify for both medals.

Accumulated Campaign Service Medal. This will be stoutly denied, but this is the second medal of all time. Originally introduced to give more than one medal to those serving for years in Northern Ireland with just the GSM to show for it, it was thinly disguised as a meritorious award. It is worn next to the Meritorious Service Medal and the gold stripe in centre of the GSM ribbon is said to be for excellence. Also, to pretend it was not a new campaign medal (thus boosting IRA claims for Prisoner of War status) service earning any later clasps to the GSM counted. Three years campaign service earning the GSM for the last seven clasps counted. Since then this has been expanded by adding the South Atlantic Medal; Gulf Medal; Iraq Medal; and Operational Service Medals for Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and Congo. So it is possible to have six medals over three years operations, and qualify for a seventh. Time spent earning UN, NATO and European campaign medals have so far been excluded from adding it to time counting for this medal.

Commemorative Medals.

Sometimes it is very difficult to differentiate between campaign and commemorative when the qualifications are commemorating the end of the War but the medals only go to those who served in certain campaigns. Russian 40th, Malta 50th, and to some extent the Greek medals fall between these stools. However, some are exclusively commemorative and these are listed by areas and treatment here.

Ceylon. For those training the force. I am convinced that the Ceylon Armed Forces Inauguration Medal was accepted for restricted wear. I.e. only in Ceylon or at Singalese events. An RAF friend disputes this and says he can prove it. So I include it as a possible though it is listed in the London Gazette order of wear.

Singapore. For those training the force. The Uniformed Services Malaysia Medal was definitely restricted. The Defence Council Instruction (DCI), which listed recipients, stated this.

Brunei. For those training the force. The Royal Brunei Malay Regiment Inauguration Medal was also restricted by the DCI.

Brunei. The Brunei Silver Jubilee Medal is unrestricted.

South Africa. For those training the force. The UNITAS Medal is unrestricted.

Iran. For those training Iranians on British equipment. The Iranian Coronation Medal is unrestricted.

Oman. For those on Secondment or Contract the Accession Medal (1970); 10th; 15th; 20th; 30th; and 35th National Day Medal have all been unrestricted. On the 15th year, 1985, all officers also received the Order of the Special Royal Emblem and they are not supposed to wear it and the 15th. I have never seen anyone adhering to this instruction.

Ghana. The Ghana Republic Commemorative Medal for service in the Ghanaian forces on 1st July 1960 received restricted permission or wear. For Independence Medals the rule is apparently that they must have the Royal effigy, or something similar, and be paid for by the Country getting independence. Republic Day medals never get approval.

Nigeria. Nigeria produced an Independence Medal in 1961 for service on 1st October 1960. It was to be the usual style with the Queen on the front and Nigerian Coat of Arms on the back and to be worn with other Independence medals in the British list. However, they changed their minds and altered the design to a Nigerian one. In 1964 the DCI authorising the above was cancelled and a new one substituted, but the only real change was that the order of wear altered and it now goes amongst Commonwealth awards of countries of which the Queen is no Head of State.

Zimbabwe. We produced the Rhodesia Medal which was intended to be a campaign medal. In the end all was peaceful and it is now worn ahead of Independence medals and is the only non-campaign medal on which a Mention in Despatches may be worn. The Zimbabwe Independence Medal was produced in Gold and Bronze, for senior people and others, for 28 days in Zimbabwe between 1st December 1979 and 18th April 1980. It is restricted, but if worn it goes ahead of the Rhodesia Medal. Expensive for the holder.

Vanuatu. The Vanuata Independence Medal has been seen amongst British Medals. However, it does not conform to the rules mentioned above and it has restricted permission for wear.

Five-Year Rule Myth

There are numerous examples of medals being issued after five years that can be worn by British citizens: UNOMIG, awarded after seven years; UNSCOM, awarded after eight years; UNOCHA, awarded after eight years; UN SSM Op Cheshire, awarded after five years; GSM 1962 “Dhofar”, awarded after six years; GSM 1962 “Air Operations Iraq” , awarded after six years.

Then there are the following classic examples of medals receiving Unrestricted Approval more than 5 years after the event:

Suez Canal Zone A classic example of this supposed rule being used and abused by the MoD, FCO and HD Committee is the Suez Canal Zone medal. Various parties lobbied for this award that was justly deserved but was judged to be so politically incorrect as to be withheld for 50-odd years.

But the justice of the case could not be denied forever by the Government Departments and HD Committee and eventually they found a way out of their dilemma by declaring that they could disregard the 50 year delay because there was no evidence that the medal had been considered by any previous HD Committee or by the Chiefs of Staff at the time of Suez.

United Nations Special Service Medal with bar UNOCHA (Humanitarian Aid)

The service to which this medal relates ended in 1990 but the medal was not authorised until 1997, seven years after the end date.

And here are the two most stunning examples of the absence of a five year rule or, if it formally exists, the breaking of it:

The Russian “40th Anniversary of the end of the Great Patriotic War Medal”

The Russians offered this medal in 1985 to all those employed in Russia or on the re-supply convoys. Often referred to as the Arctic Convoys, it should be noted that the award is not limited to those on the Arctic Convoys - others are also eligible.

The FCO initially rejected this medal (Anthony Wedgwood Benn said this was because we were supplying the Soviets - and that was seen by the FCO as being politically incorrect). But ten years after the medal had been rejected, it was accepted by the Queen (unrestricted - so it could be worn) “in view of the changed position of and progress made by the Russians”, i.e. on purely political grounds.

Thus the unrestricted acceptance was approved 50 years after the event.

The application and interpretation of so-called rules in this ad hoc manner is neither reasonable nor logical. And, in any event, if a Russian medal can be awarded in this fashion, then why reject a request from a Commonwealth ally, particularly one that is predominantly Islamic, and moderate, and is supportive in today’s war on terror.

The Malta “GC 50th Anniversary of the end of the War Medal”

On the basis that the assertion that a 5-year ‘rule’ exists, this request should have been rejected. It was not. No reason was given for this unrestricted recommendation (the medal was approved by the Queen for unrestricted wear) that flies in the face of a 5-year rule as well as being a clear case of double medalling (together with the Africa Star). It is only conjecture, but many think it was another political decision at the behest of the FCO (and perhaps others) in the year that the Queen made a formal visit to Malta.

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Post medals galore 
Paul, what a concise piece of work.

You did miss out the Croix de Guerre and the Legion D'Honneur, awarded a few years back to British individuals during the D Day landings anniversary. These were all unrestricted, certainly five year busting and, is ancilliary to British Awards.

This ought to keep the Ministers head down with this bit of light reading. I only hope that he can figure out just how screwed up the system really is.

Yours Aye

Arthur R-S

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Yep, Arthur, and the likes of Harry Patch and other survivors of the mud and mayhem of WW1 were also honoured by the French Government "donkeys years" after doing their bit. I think "donkeys years" blows the 5 year rule right out of the water and leaves the H & D lot looking like little twerps who don't know their backsides from their elbows. What a shower they are and so very unfit for purpose.


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Mike Barton
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I have to admit that most of that info was not my work a lot of it was done by other members of the team but that is the point it is a team effort and there is possibly some more medals missing from the list.
The Civil Servants went back to the 1850’s to try and find rules to misquote in order to deny us our rights to wear the PJM so we did the same and some of the papers we had to read were handwritten.
The info that I have placed on this thread is correct and proves the inconsistencies in allowing foreign medals to be worn and throws into touch the so called double medal & five year rule.

You may pass this info onto your MP's if you so wish.

I must also add that before Queen Victoria (1837-1901) only officers were awarded medals; one of the first things that She did was to award medals to other ranks for the Battle of Trafalgar (1805) and the Battle of Waterloo (1815).
This upset the Civil Servants who like to run things themselves so they started to bring in rules so that they could keep control.

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