A gap in our medal system.
Hi Guys,
I'm a civilian, but I do hope you won't mind if I comment.
One kind of medal I feel we lack in the UK is something like the US's Purple Heart.
For example, as I understand it, in the recent Afghanistan action it was entirely possible for a soldier of, say, 19 to be sent into theatre on his/her first deployment on day one. On day twelve he/she has both legs blown off. By day 19, he/she might be back in Selly Oak and not even entitled to a campaign medal because he/she wasn't in the war zone for the requisite 28 days! Two or three months later he/she is out of the Army and looking forward to a life of disablement and nothing to show for his/her service.
Surely this is unfair. If someone has to go through the rest of his/her life with such a souvenir of the armed services and of war service, surely some recognition of his/her sacrifice is needed.
Regards,
BP.