Air Efficiency Medal
Thread 'Creep' but interesting
At Her Majesty's Coronation, the commemorative medal was awarded generally to those involved - route lining etc and there was a very limited distribution otherwise.
At the 1977 Silver Jubilee there was an allocation of one per 33 service personnel and a few other criteria.
At the Golden Jubilee, the allocation was those with 5 or more years reckonable service and still in harness on 6 Feb 02. This included RAFVR, RAFVR(T), RAuxAF and RAFR - BUT - if you were an RAFR Class CC you didn't get the gong. This, despite holding a Queen's Commission, wearing the rank, being gazetted etc, holding command over serving airpersons, and generally (apart from the grey hair) being indistinguishable from a 'proper' service bod. The case against the gong was that RAFR-CC was a civil servant and all other arguments were void. This caused a great deal of angst amongst people like ATC Wing Admin officers etc. Needless to say the high priced help were very feeble in fighting the corner for 'their' subordinates.
So what will it be on 6 February 2012 and the Diamond Jubilee?
Any thoughts fellow (and fellowess) pruners?
O-D
At the 1977 Silver Jubilee there was an allocation of one per 33 service personnel and a few other criteria.
At the Golden Jubilee, the allocation was those with 5 or more years reckonable service and still in harness on 6 Feb 02. This included RAFVR, RAFVR(T), RAuxAF and RAFR - BUT - if you were an RAFR Class CC you didn't get the gong. This, despite holding a Queen's Commission, wearing the rank, being gazetted etc, holding command over serving airpersons, and generally (apart from the grey hair) being indistinguishable from a 'proper' service bod. The case against the gong was that RAFR-CC was a civil servant and all other arguments were void. This caused a great deal of angst amongst people like ATC Wing Admin officers etc. Needless to say the high priced help were very feeble in fighting the corner for 'their' subordinates.
So what will it be on 6 February 2012 and the Diamond Jubilee?
Any thoughts fellow (and fellowess) pruners?
O-D
I shouldnt worry about it Old Duffer - the medal itself was one of the cheapest and nastiest medals ever to be presented to HM armed forces. The gold plating on the medal was of such a poor quality that warnings had to be given not to attempt to polish them. If you're really upset about it I can get you a copy for about £25 - and unusually the copies are better than the originals!
BTW DD, did you know that before 1908 the predecessor to the Territorial Decoration (TD) was known as the Volunteer Decoration
Volunteer Decoration - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- and it had post-nominal letters too?
BTW DD, did you know that before 1908 the predecessor to the Territorial Decoration (TD) was known as the Volunteer Decoration
Volunteer Decoration - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- and it had post-nominal letters too?
BTW DD, did you know that before 1908 the predecessor to the Territorial Decoration (TD) was known as the Volunteer Decoration
Volunteer Decoration - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- and it had post-nominal letters too?
..... yes, and scabs!
Jack
Volunteer Decoration - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- and it had post-nominal letters too?
..... yes, and scabs!
Jack
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Yes I did. Then later the RNR got the RD and the RNVR got the VRD. The RD ribbon is the same dark green as shown for the VD but with silver edges. (Or should it be mercury?) These were added so it showed up on the navy blue uniform. Odd, I know, but true.
When the TD, RD and AE were replaced by the VRSM it was decided that the new medal would be awarded after ten years as this had been the time for the AE. The RD was 15 years and the TD was some thing in between, 12 years I think. RNR ratings used to be awarded the RNR Long Service and Good Conduct Medal after 15 years. Now the new medal is for all ranks and rates. So we now have the rather stupid sustem where RNR ratings get a long service medal before they get their third Badge. Which is awarded after 12 years. To prevent reserve officers getting too upset about not having a post nominal award a new medal The Queens Volunteer Reserve Medal was instigated. This is post nominal and is awarded (once in a blue moon for the RNR) in New Year and Birthday honours lists.
When the TD, RD and AE were replaced by the VRSM it was decided that the new medal would be awarded after ten years as this had been the time for the AE. The RD was 15 years and the TD was some thing in between, 12 years I think. RNR ratings used to be awarded the RNR Long Service and Good Conduct Medal after 15 years. Now the new medal is for all ranks and rates. So we now have the rather stupid sustem where RNR ratings get a long service medal before they get their third Badge. Which is awarded after 12 years. To prevent reserve officers getting too upset about not having a post nominal award a new medal The Queens Volunteer Reserve Medal was instigated. This is post nominal and is awarded (once in a blue moon for the RNR) in New Year and Birthday honours lists.
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DD,
You obviously know all about this. What's the story with the award of QVRMs? Who is in charge of dishing them out? How many are awarded? What are the criteria? I was thinking that I can think of a few who ought to be considered but I don't know how we go about doing something about this.
Cheers,
S41
You obviously know all about this. What's the story with the award of QVRMs? Who is in charge of dishing them out? How many are awarded? What are the criteria? I was thinking that I can think of a few who ought to be considered but I don't know how we go about doing something about this.
Cheers,
S41
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AE what for
I was awarded an AE about 60 years ago for service with the RAFVR as a navigator. However it seems to me to be a rather ill named award as it may be given neither for efficency nor - necessarily - service in the air.
It's the same with a lot of medals Sconenav -some are more deserved than others. Not for nothing is the OBE described as being for Other Buggers' Efforts! Sounds like you did your bit to get yours anyway - and that's the main thing.
All the best.
TTN
All the best.
TTN
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More Thread Creep
AFC and Citation. The RAF thought fit to award me with an AFC way back in the 50s for some test flying on the V bombers. The medal was presented in Australia. I am still wondering what is in the citation. Where might it be?
Wg Cdr Clive Saxelby was my CO at Boscombe Down. He was also awarded an AFC at the same time. Sax was about to emerge from the tunnel during the Great Escape when the Jerries discovered the exodus forcing Sax to turn around. That would have been the first day of the rest of his life as most of those who were in front of him were recaptured and executed.
AFC and Citation. The RAF thought fit to award me with an AFC way back in the 50s for some test flying on the V bombers. The medal was presented in Australia. I am still wondering what is in the citation. Where might it be?
Wg Cdr Clive Saxelby was my CO at Boscombe Down. He was also awarded an AFC at the same time. Sax was about to emerge from the tunnel during the Great Escape when the Jerries discovered the exodus forcing Sax to turn around. That would have been the first day of the rest of his life as most of those who were in front of him were recaptured and executed.
Milt,
The recommendation/citation might be in the National Archives at Kew in the AIR/ series of files.
I have always found searching records at Kew is best left to somebody who knows what they're doing, as there can be a great deal of wasted time waiting for documents and finding they weren't what you really wanted.
There are many researchers who advertise their wares and a google search might reveal somebody with whom you can strike a deal. I have a researcher (whom I've never met) who does a superb job for me and her charges are very reasonable.
The downside is that prior to the Freedom of Information Act (introduced at no cost - of course) many public depts got wise and destroyed masses of historical information so that they could say; 'we don't have that info - clear off'. However, if the citation still exists, it might already have been sent to the NA before the FoI came in.
Old Duffer
The recommendation/citation might be in the National Archives at Kew in the AIR/ series of files.
I have always found searching records at Kew is best left to somebody who knows what they're doing, as there can be a great deal of wasted time waiting for documents and finding they weren't what you really wanted.
There are many researchers who advertise their wares and a google search might reveal somebody with whom you can strike a deal. I have a researcher (whom I've never met) who does a superb job for me and her charges are very reasonable.
The downside is that prior to the Freedom of Information Act (introduced at no cost - of course) many public depts got wise and destroyed masses of historical information so that they could say; 'we don't have that info - clear off'. However, if the citation still exists, it might already have been sent to the NA before the FoI came in.
Old Duffer
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Air Efficiency Medal
I am the medal coordinator at the Ulster Aviation Society. Recently I have had a few ex WW2 Flyers asking me why they haven`t got the AE even though they have served the correct number of years. One gentleman came into our museum (Lisburn Co Antrim) and informed me that he joined the RAFVR in Mar 1941 and served to Jan 1947, he then re-joined the R AuxAF in 1950 and served until 1961. At no time did any of his units notify him that he was entitled to a AE. Can any one advise me if they can still issue the AE and can be awarded backdated.
monkeymp All medals can still be awarded as long as the recipients meet the criteria for their award. Some years ago I applied for my father's Territorial Efficiency Medal which he had never received, even though he had died around 30 years earlier. The medal duly arrived, correctly named, and I was pleased to mount it with his other WW2 medals before we had them framed.
Tankertrashnav wrote:
So can those of us who were serving at the time now apply for the Queen's Silver Jubilee medal....
??
All medals can still be awarded as long as the recipients meet the criteria for their award.
??
So can those of us who were serving at the time now apply for the Queen's Silver Jubilee medal.... ??
If that wasn't the case, then I fear you have no chance
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
What's wrong with BYO? At least then it comes without a brown stain. Today who would know, all recipients will have retired, or soon will.
Same is true of the GJM for CC or those serving who missed out.
Morally they deserve it, it is not the same as Walts with campaign medal for campaigns they weren't in or DFC or CAM to which they weren't entitled.
Talking of the AE Medal, anyone know if this reccomendation from the Future Reserves 2020 paper is being taken forward?
Recommendation – Volunteer Reserve Decorations:
Consideration is given to the reinstatement of Volunteer Reserve decorations (ie Reserve Decoration (RNR/RMR), Territorial Decoration and Air Efficiency medal) for long service and efficiency, recognising the different sacrifices made by Reservists.
Consideration is given to the reinstatement of Volunteer Reserve decorations (ie Reserve Decoration (RNR/RMR), Territorial Decoration and Air Efficiency medal) for long service and efficiency, recognising the different sacrifices made by Reservists.
LJ,
I expect the answer is: 'a committee will look at it in due course'.
Logically, it depends on the precise TofRs and CofS that these people are employed on. If they are reservists, do they come under a category which already exists or is there a new grouping in which they will be mustered?
However, it would be rather difficult to have eg long service awards for regulars and for volunteer reservists but leave out these 'regular reserves'; the moreso because of the intended purpose of the new class of reserves and their integration with the regular forces.
Old Duffer
I expect the answer is: 'a committee will look at it in due course'.
Logically, it depends on the precise TofRs and CofS that these people are employed on. If they are reservists, do they come under a category which already exists or is there a new grouping in which they will be mustered?
However, it would be rather difficult to have eg long service awards for regulars and for volunteer reservists but leave out these 'regular reserves'; the moreso because of the intended purpose of the new class of reserves and their integration with the regular forces.
Old Duffer
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Apologies for bring the Army into the debate 
but ...
My late father was pre-War TA (Royal Artillery) and was, of course, called up full-time at STARTEX. After a year or so of hurling flax at the Luftwaffe in SE England, he was commissioned and in due course, along with many others, was awarded the Efficiency Medal. The 'double-counting' of wartime service years obviously accelerated the process.
Anecdotally, it appears that as these ribbons were put up, the Regular Army RA officers were shocked to find their Messes had been occupied by numerous officers who had evidently been pre-War TA rankers.
but ...My late father was pre-War TA (Royal Artillery) and was, of course, called up full-time at STARTEX. After a year or so of hurling flax at the Luftwaffe in SE England, he was commissioned and in due course, along with many others, was awarded the Efficiency Medal. The 'double-counting' of wartime service years obviously accelerated the process.
Anecdotally, it appears that as these ribbons were put up, the Regular Army RA officers were shocked to find their Messes had been occupied by numerous officers who had evidently been pre-War TA rankers.