VETERANS BLOW WHISTLE ON MOD SECRETS
A fifty one-page report has blown the whistle on the MoD’s secretive Medal Review. The report by the National Defence Medal which includes the ‘British Cold War Veterans’ provides an insight into current MoD Medal Review process and report, which Prime Minister David Cameron sent back to MoD for failing to consult with veterans.
It outlines how the MoD failed to notify the public of the review’s terms of reference, the date it commenced, the date of completion; the mystic surrounding its progress and failure to engage with veterans, service organisations or representatives of medal campaigns; the very people the review was about were excluded.
BCWV Co-ordinator Andy Davies; “It’s nothing short of a total farce and a two-fingered salute to those who want to overhaul an antiquated and failing system. The MoD have already been accused of wasting huge sums of money on non-existent equipment and now can’t even conduct a fair and objective review in consultation with the very people it was supposed to consider.”
The report shows how subjective statements, displaying a lack of analysis, reliant on misleading, inaccurate facts and false assumptions; produced unsubstantiated conclusions as reasons not to honour our veterans. Just why did MoD officials give a clean bill of health to the existing medal system, which has produced so much injustice in respect of medallic recognition over 60 years?
A spotlight has been shone on the flawed process and discredited Medal Review report. “You will be startled at what you find when you read the report.”, said Tony Morland Co-Chairman of the UK National Defence medal campaign.
We are fighting a losing battle, the MOD and the Whitehall warriors mind-set is resolute, no shots fired, no medals. The Artic convoy veterans had to wait nearly 70 years before their efforts were recognised, I am 66, and would like to hand down to my sons a symbol of my service, along with my fathers, and grandfathers. This now seems highly unlikely. Service personal have always to a more or lesser degree have been seen by the establishment as disposable items. The written history of the Cold War will be written by politicians, accountants and high ranking officers, the world of the squaddie, at the bottom of the food chain is as alien to the planners and top brass as their world is to us. Gongs are handed out as recognition of statesmen and heads of states diplomatic endeavours in preserving the status quo. The boots on the ground that implemented those decisions are, as far as they are concerned, out of sight, in a foreign land,doing as they are told, while the faceless pen pushers and decision makers reside in their bomb proof billets. We, the soldiers, airmen, and sailors, are but coloured flags to be to be moved around a map. Thus it has always been, soldiers die, and statesmen and politicians shed crocodile tears. Nothing changes, only the uniform.
I served my King in the cold war 40s as a national serviceman. Never had to go to war but proud to have borne arms in defence if necessary. For me it is good enough that I was there and in uniform and I did my best and my bit. I do not need a medal to put on my chest.
At the same time I cringe at those who wear a medal dished out at New Year or Birthday honours for playing football, acting, leading fashion, being a politician or just doing their day job. Far better to embrace modesty and be proud of what one has done but not making a song and dance of it.
Try getting a disability pension out of the MOD I have been fighting for 3 years now. All you ever get is faceless civil servants who have never put there lives on the line.
Hello, having read some of the letters especially Tony Levy’s as it brought back memories of the wonderful time I spent at RAF Laarbruch. I was in the RAF between 1971 and 1983, so not quite long enough for a long service medal but it would have been nice to have something for my service to Queen and country.
I have my veterans badge buts Cold War medal would mean so much more to me. I spent 3 years in RAFG within 3 or 4 minutes of the Eastern Block, surely the worth something. I was by no means the only person in that situation.
Like Dave Roberts I served for 5 years at Laarbruch. When Saddams forces invaded Kuwait I was called in off leave and straight onto 12 hours shifts prepping Aircraft for deployment. This went on all the way from day one until the end of March. Nobody in my section were allowed to be deployed because we were needed for the total support of the operation. We even had to listen to the Victory party at the Squadrons whilst we still supported the post fighting operations. We did not deploy but were involved in the campaign a lot longer then some of those that deployed to Bahrain and sat by the pool at hotels in no more danger then we were. They got medals and a damn good party and we got nothing. That is why the medal system is flawed. It should be about the work put into a campaign not just if you are close to it. Not everybody that is deployed get to see active service and the heros get the proper medals they deserve. Let’s also remember the GSM was still being issued in NIreland after the Good Friday agreement was sign.
ADEN.the missing years. 1960/1964.No GSM awarded even though there was a state of emergency Many british servicemen and civilians were killed and lay to rest in Silent Valley,Little Aden.The Aden veterans association have campaigned for a number of years now,and been rejected every time.
in Singapore lines Aden with 12 regt RA.