Whilst I agree that this memorial is long overdue, and that Bomber Command was sidelined in many ways after the war, there is one oft-repeated assertion that needs to be clarified.
Once again during yesterday's commentary it was stated that "Bomber Command was denied a campaign medal". This needs to be clarified, as many have understood this to mean that Bomber Command aircrew were uniquely denied campaign medals, a misunderstanding that one look at the chests of those attending yesterday should have dispelled.
The simple fact is that Sir Arthur Harris felt that in addition to the campaign stars awarded to his crews (Aircrew Europe or France & Germany Star), a medal should be struck which would only be awarded to Bomber Command crews. This was refused on the grounds that all the stars were theatre awards and no other formation in the armed forces had been awarded a special medal and to create a precedent would open up demands from many other deserving cases. Thus there was never an official Bomber Command Medal, but neither was there a Submarine Service Medal, a Commando Medal, or many others you might think of.