The Queen's Jubilee 2022

[Old-Duffer]

Her Majesty The Queen will mark 70 years as our sovereign on 6 Feb 22.

Not even the faintest whisper of how this might be celebrated.

Any hints????????????

Old Duffer

[Jambo Jet]

Apart from this whisper ...... BBC Article (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54911550)

In keeping with tradition established with previous royal milestones, a Platinum Jubilee medal will be awarded to people who work in public service, including representatives of the Armed Forces, the emergency services and the prison services.


So plans are afoot !

[Less Hair]

Oprah might not get an invitation.

[Boeing Jet]

Will we be seeing any kind of flypast in the current climate?

[Null Orifice]

Harry an Megan leading the flypast?

[Jetstream67]

Will we be seeing any kind of flypast in the current climate?
Paper masks over all air intakes :)

[clareprop]

Her Majesty The Queen will mark 70 years as our sovereign on 6 Feb 22.

Blimey, it only seems like five minutes ago I was taking a silver bus to work...

[osborne]

Blimey, it only seems like five minutes ago ...

Imagine having a President for 2200 million seconds ..

[Herod]

I'm old enough to remember (just) my father coming home with the sad news that the King had died. Long Live the Queen.

[NutLoose]

Ahhh.. William 1V, such a short reign Herod. ;)

I do Wonder if Betty will be flying solo by then, not looking good is it.

[Lyneham Lad]

Her Majesty The Queen will mark 70 years as our sovereign on 6 Feb 22.

Old Duffer

Well, that gives me almost a whole year to rummage about in the loft to see if I can unearth my 1977 adornment and give it a polish to celebrate the occasion! ;)

[MPN11]

Another ornament neither of us will get. Both missed all the other Jubblys and the non-retrospective LSGC. Are we bovvered?

At least we have both our ancestors’ hard-earned medals from WW2, WW1 and indeed the 19th Century when they actually did something rather more than just draw their pay.

[/cynicism]

[NutLoose]

I must polish up my RAF Silver Jubilee medal...... ohh wait, I never got one :E

[tolip1]

I think whilst she's harbouring a paedophile we should lay off the celebrations.

[Tashengurt]

Wow, I get my good behaviour this year and then another jubilee job. I'll be blinged up like a third world General!

[TLDNMCL]

Bloomin Eck! Got my Silver Jubilee gift at school the year before I put Betty's blue uniform on. Worse than that, until recently I would wander around London, marvelling at how fresh The Jubilee Walk plaques looked alongside the piss stained and chewing gum ridden footpaths of our fair capital city.

[ORAC]

Why tempt fate talking about such things.

[srjumbo747]

I think whilst she's harbouring a paedophile we should lay off the celebrations.
A nice thread spoiled. And a A MODERATOR needs to delete this post.
The US authorities need to speak to a family member about dealings with Jeffrey E, nothing more.

[Laarbruch72]

Another ornament neither of us will get. Both missed all the other Jubblys and the non-retrospective LSGC. Are we bovvered?

At least we have both our ancestors’ hard-earned medals from WW2, WW1 and indeed the 19th Century when they actually did something rather more than just draw their pay.

[/cynicism]

You're possibly cold war era, I take it? So you're also missing the Iraq campaign medal and Operational Service Medal with Afghanistan clasp, for example? People who served in the 2000s and 2010s haven't been simply drawing pay and those campaign awards (and others) were usually hard earned too. Your comment is in poor taste.

[MPN11]

You're possibly cold war era, I take it? So you're also missing the Iraq campaign medal and Operational Service Medal with Afghanistan clasp, for example? People who served in the 2000s and 2010s haven't been simply drawing pay and those campaign awards (and others) were usually hard earned too. Your comment is in poor taste.
Apologies for ruffling your feathers. My post was (I had hoped) obviously focused on non-operational medals. The proposition for "medals for everyone" is indeed traditional, with Coronation and Jubilee medals dating back to the reign of Queen Victoria. I was just observing that my wife and I managed a joint 55 years RAF service without being eligible for any of them!

I am of course well aware of what has been happening in the last 4 decades, where numerous friends and acquaintances have been intimately involved in conflicts ... from Op Corporate onwards. To my regret I was never given the opportunity to be involved in-theatre, unlike my antecedents.

[racedo]

Why tempt fate talking about such things.

This...............

[teeteringhead]

At least we have both our ancestors’ hard-earned medals from WW2 And you can still get them!

I recently applied for and got my late father's Defence Medal. He was just getting a business going again in 1939, having lost his first business through bad debts (owed to him) in the 1930s; so he volunteered for the AFS (Auxilliary Fire Service) on 3rd September 1939!

The business kept going, but as a proud East Ender, he was a fireman in London throughout the Blitz and the rest of the War. Probably not the (relatively) quiet war he hoped for. Family anecdote has it that when they dished out the medals the conversation went thus:

Teeters Snr: "Who gets these medals then?"

Senior Chap: "Well, everyone gets one"

Teeters Snr: "Not worth having then is it?"

Pop, I venture to disagree. So after much research and a (surprisingly) small amount of paperwork, the medal and a certificate arrived last month from the Cabinet Office, a mere 76 years after the end of the War and 49 years after Pop "departed the fix". I look forward to wearing it on the right next Remembrance Day, (probably at least as well earned as the ones on the left!).

Apologies for thread drift, but the mention of WW2 medals struck a very important chord with me. And dust in the eyes again............

[downsizer]

And you can still get them!

I recently applied for and got my late father's Defence Medal. He was just getting a business going again in 1939, having lost his first business through bad debts (owed to him) in the 1930s; so he volunteered for the AFS (Auxilliary Fire Service) on 3rd September 1939!

The business kept going, but as a proud East Ender, he was a fireman in London throughout the Blitz and the rest of the War. Probably not the (relatively) quiet war he hoped for. Family anecdote has it that when they dished out the medals the conversation went thus:

Teeters Snr: "Who gets these medals then?"

Senior Chap: "Well, everyone gets one"

Teeters Snr: "Not worth having then is it?"

Pop, I venture to disagree. So after much research and a (surprisingly) small amount of paperwork, the medal and a certificate arrived last month from the Cabinet Office, a mere 76 years after the end of the War and 49 years after Pop "departed the fix". I look forward to wearing it on the right next Remembrance Day, (probably at least as well earned as the ones on the left!).

Apologies for thread drift, but the mention of WW2 medals struck a very important chord with me. And dust in the eyes again............

This interests me, my grandfather served in the RN during WWII on HMS Hood, HMS Broke and then in Burma but was buried with his medals prior to my birth.

Could we get them back? And how?

[NutLoose]

A fireman in the East End earned it and more.

[Archimedes]

This interests me, my grandfather served in the RN during WWII on HMS Hood, HMS Broke and then in Burma but was buried with his medals prior to my birth.

Could we get them back? And how?

You might wish to look at the RBL page (https://support.britishlegion.org.uk/app/answers/detail/a_id/553/~/applying-for-medals) and that from the MoD (https://www.gov.uk/apply-medal-or-veterans-badge/replace-a-medal-or-badge). Tankertashnav knows a lot about medals and may be able to advise; my take from the MoD page is that the decision to bury the medals with your grandfather would preclude replacement by the MoD, and that you'd instead need to find out the medals to which he was entitled and obtain a set privately. I'm sure someone who has far more knowledge will be along presently, but if not...

Forgive the pedantry, but you're asking for a duplicate set rather than getting them back - as well as offering some twonk the opportunity for an insensitive and inappropriate suggestion, it might imply to someone in officialdom that they might be in a position to be retrieved, which, of course, they're not. They are, in effect 'lost', even though you know exactly where they are (if that makes sense).

[Tankertrashnav]

This interests me, my grandfather served in the RN during WWII on HMS Hood, HMS Broke and then in Burma but was buried with his medals prior to my birth.

Could we get them back? And how?

I am pretty sure that the answer is no. The medal office will make an initial issue of medals which were not issued at the time, or subsequently, and they will also issue replacements (so marked) to recipients who can prove that their own medals have been stolen (a police crime number is usually required). Neither are the case in this instance, so your only course is to buy genuine examples of his medals to represent his group, or good quality replicas which you can have named in the correct style. If you want to pursue this course of action, send me a PM and I will recommend a very reliable firm who will give you a quote. Whatever you do please do not buy original medals and have them renamed - that is a cardinal sin in the medal world where it is rightly regarded as vandalism.

When a chum of mine who was a very keen medal collector retired from the Parachute Regiment in the 70s he worked for a while for a local undertaker. While he was in that job they buried a local woman who was one of the very few female recipients of the Military Medal during the Great War. She too was buried with her medals, Bob saw them being placed in the coffin before it was screwed down. He confessed later that the tears in his eyes were less for the dear departed, than for the loss of a fine group of medals. I used to tease him that he ought to go along to the churchyard one night with a spade and "liberate" the medals - not that I am suggesting that you do the same!

[Lima Juliet]

MPN11

At least we have both our ancestors’ hard-earned medals from WW2, WW1 and indeed the 19th Century when they actually did something rather more than just draw their pay.

Just a bit of Truth Decay treatment required there. During the 19th Century and early 20th Century there were the following:

Military Long Service & Good Conduct Medal
Naval Long Service & Good Conduct Medal
Volunteer Reserve Long Service & Good Conduct Medal
Sea Transport Long Service & Good Conduct Medal
Colonial Permanent Forces’ Long Service & Good Conduct Medal
Naval Good Shooting Medal
Volunteer Decoration
Ability & Good Conduct (Engineers) Medal
Territorial Yeomanry & Militia Long Service & Good Conduct Medal
The Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Medal
The Queen Victoria Golden Jubilee Medal
The Empress of India Medal
Visit to Ireland Medal
Edward VII Coronation Medal
George V Coronation Medal
George V Silver Jubilee Medal

So I’m afraid it looks like great-great-great father was “blinged up bad” like those of us today - and maybe not as “hard earned” as you make out? :ok:

PS. Wishing HRH DofE a speedy recovery and that HMTQ remains at the helm for a few more years to come. Thank you both for your continued service.

[downsizer]

Ok, if I can't get a replacement set, how do I find out exactly what he had?

Mothers details are sketchy on his service other than Hood, Broke and Burma.

She has throughout my life expressed regret at the decision to bury with them and as she is nearing the end of her life I thought it might be nice to get a replacement set for her, and ultimately my children who can also have mine.

[heights good]

PS. Wishing HRH DofE a speedy recovery and that HMTQ remains at the helm for a few more years to come. Thank you both for your continued service.

I hope Phil The Greek gets well soon.

However, I personally can't wait until the royal family is disbanded.

Waste of time, effort and money whilst providing nothing.

Good on Harry for doing something brave by severing ties and going it alone...

[Archimedes]

Ok, if I can't get a replacement set, how do I find out exactly what he had?

Mothers details are sketchy on his service other than Hood, Broke and Burma.

She has throughout my life expressed regret at the decision to bury with them and as she is nearing the end of her life I thought it might be nice to get a replacement set for her, and ultimately my children who can also have mine.

Probably best to obtain the service records - information from MoD (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/request-records-of-deceased-service-personnel)

That will/should provide the necessary information - either stating directly which medals were awarded, or giving sufficient clues for them to be identified.

[Old-Duffer]

heights good,
The current incumbent as our sovereign cannot be faulted and has been let down over the years by several of her kith and kin.

I venture to suggest that a monarchy such as we have is probably a better solution to the head of state question than any sort of elected/appointed arrangement. Perhaps you could offer your solution to the matter - it would prove an interesting 'Thread Drift' to my original question at Post 1.
Old Duffer

[MPN11]

We risk a closed Thread when we stray into Republicanism and alternative forms of misgovernment.

It would be really nice if we avoid such deviations.

[NutLoose]

Ok, if I can't get a replacement set, how do I find out exactly what he had?

Mothers details are sketchy on his service other than Hood, Broke and Burma.

She has throughout my life expressed regret at the decision to bury with them and as she is nearing the end of her life I thought it might be nice to get a replacement set for her, and ultimately my children who can also have mine.

Even if you cannot get a replacement official set, you may be able to get a very good replica set.

[MPN11]

MPN11

... So I’m afraid it looks like great-great-great father was “blinged up bad” like those of us today - and maybe not as “hard earned” as you make out? :ok:
...
Ha, no ... GGF missed all of those. Just the Egypt 1882 with Tel-El-Kebir bar and the Khedive’s Star while a C/Sgt with the Scots Guards. At the end of his service with the Regular Army, he went Reserve Forces, recalled in 1914 but never left Blighty ... so no WW1 entitlement. Clearly he set a family trend! 😀

[teeteringhead]

A fireman in the East End earned it and more. Thanks Nutty - much appreciated on behalf of Pop Teeters.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, he very rarely spoke of his experiences..........

[Old-Duffer]

MPN11,
I submit that 'heights good' intervention, whilst drifting the Thread, is a very good example of the freedom of speech. 'No platforming' and other forms of the suppression of free expression of views is what the Woke generation want, so whilst the mods suck their teeth about this, they see it is an interesting topic worthy of honest discussion. Incidentally, a friend recently wrote to the DT newspaper recounting a civilised debate some 60 years ago when Oswald Moseley was given a fair and polite hearing at his university. The youth of today can't cope with that: GOD HELP US!!!!!!!!!!!
Old Duffer

[MPN11]

Fair call, O-D. Freedom of Speech, Freedom from Facemasks ... so many new Freedoms I can't keep up!!

I'll crawl away now. I made my only sensible input up-thread. :cool:

[Union Jack]

Apologies for ruffling your feathers. My post was (I had hoped) obviously focused on non-operational medals. The proposition for "medals for everyone" is indeed traditional, with Coronation and Jubilee medals dating back to the reign of Queen Victoria. I was just observing that my wife and I managed a joint 55 years RAF service without being eligible for any of them!

I am of course well aware of what has been happening in the last 4 decades, where numerous friends and acquaintances have been intimately involved in conflicts ... from Op Corporate onwards. To my regret I was never given the opportunity to be involved in-theatre, unlike my antecedents.

We risk a closed Thread when we stray into Republicanism and alternative forms of misgovernment.

It would be really nice if we avoid such deviations.

Thoroughly agree on both fronts. It's possible that Laarbruch amongst others may have overlooked the extent to which the Cold War warriors set the standards and trained those who followed them, and MPN11 has also let Heights Good off a lot more easily than I would have done.

Jack

[Gordon Brown]

One grandfather was a fireman in the East End. The other died at Arnhem. Which one earned ‘it’ more?

[NutLoose]

Both saw the Horrors of war close up, one sadly paying the ultimate sacrifice. I couldn’t and wouldn’t even attempt to say who earned “it” in my eyes they were both heroes.

One will be remembered for the action he took part in where he fell and is buried, where as the other having died later will only be recognised by family and relations where he lies as to the sacrifices he made to keep us safe.

[Herod]

One grandfather was a fireman in the East End. The other died at Arnhem. Which one earned ‘it’ more?

They both did. No question

[heights good]

heights good,
The current incumbent as our sovereign cannot be faulted and has been let down over the years by several of her kith and kin.

I venture to suggest that a monarchy such as we have is probably a better solution to the head of state question than any sort of elected/appointed arrangement. Perhaps you could offer your solution to the matter - it would prove an interesting 'Thread Drift' to my original question at Post 1.
Old Duffer

Having been the largest recipient of welfare benefits in the history of the UK, HM can most definitely be faulted.

It is an archaic, pointless and eye-wateringly expensive endeavour to keep the royal family going.

To remind those of the history of the monarchy, going back centuries the person on the throne, that the Queen is decemded from, was basically the most brutal murderer who kept the populace in check and killed rivals.

Why in a modern era do we keep such nonsense going is beyond me.

The royals are totally symbolic and provide nothing in the big (or small) scheme of things.

Having met a few Royals over the decades, some are 1,000% 'me' centric and care not a jot about anyone but themselves and what they can get from the system.

The very definition of a protection racket!

And to be clear, I am in no way advocating an overthrow or anything of that nature.

I am merely voicing confusion at why we end up in arms about 16 year old Tiffany getting a free council house for her 2 kids, yes we praise and glorify the expense and absurdity of the royals?

Intellectual inconsistency.

As for a solution, a lack of royal family will change zero in how the country is run.

HMQ actually does nothing and is merely a symbolic figurehead.

I think having something similar to the (original) US Constitution would be an excellent start and would codify in law the limits of government.

It could be a document used to hold all politicians to a higher standard than the sorry bunch of criminals, fraudsters and puppets we have now.

[Wensleydale]

Having been the largest recipient of welfare benefits in the history of the UK, HM can most definitely be faulted.

It is an archaic, pointless and eye-wateringly expensive endeavour to keep the royal family going.

To remind those of the history of the monarchy, going back centuries the person on the throne, that the Queen is decemded from, was basically the most brutal murderer who kept the populace in check and killed rivals.

Why in a modern era do we keep such nonsense going is beyond me.

The royals are totally symbolic and provide nothing in the big (or small) scheme of things.

Having met a few Royals over the decades, some are 1,000% 'me' centric and care not a jot about anyone but themselves and what they can get from the system.

The very definition of a protection racket!

And to be clear, I am in no way advocating an overthrow or anything of that nature.

I am merely voicing confusion at why we end up in arms about 16 year old Tiffany getting a free council house for her 2 kids, yes we praise and glorify the expense and absurdity of the royals?

Intellectual inconsistency.

As for a solution, a lack of royal family will change zero in how the country is run.

HMQ actually does nothing and is merely a symbolic figurehead.

I think having something similar to the (original) US Constitution would be an excellent start and would codify in law the limits of government.

It could be a document used to hold all politicians to a higher standard than the sorry bunch of criminals, fraudsters and puppets we have now.



So you are trying to compare the current UK Head of State with the US Head of State??? Looking at the previous POTUS, can you actually prefer the US system (the election of whom cost way way more than the Cost of the Monarchy to the UK)? Oh dear.

[heights good]

So you are trying to compare the current UK Head of State with the US Head of State??? Looking at the previous POTUS, can you actually prefer the US system (the election of whom cost way way more than the Cost of the Monarchy to the UK)? Oh dear.

No comparison was made.

The US election costs so much because it has a population 5.5x larger than the UK.

Your argument makes no sense, we have an election that results in a PM, regardless of the royals.

[Wensleydale]

No comparison was made.

The US election costs so much because it has a population 5.5x larger than the UK.

Your argument makes no sense, we have an election for the PM regardless of the royals.

So it is a moot point...


Not so. We have an election for Parliament and the head of the winning party becomes PM. No separate election at all, unlike the American system.

[Tocsin]

And another twerp hits the Ignore list, for cr$pping on a thread... heights DEFINITELY bad.

[mopardave]

Having been the largest recipient of welfare benefits in the history of the UK, HM can most definitely be faulted.

It is an archaic, pointless and eye-wateringly expensive endeavour to keep the royal family going.

To remind those of the history of the monarchy, going back centuries the person on the throne, that the Queen is decemded from, was basically the most brutal murderer who kept the populace in check and killed rivals.

Why in a modern era do we keep such nonsense going is beyond me.

The royals are totally symbolic and provide nothing in the big (or small) scheme of things.

Having met a few Royals over the decades, some are 1,000% 'me' centric and care not a jot about anyone but themselves and what they can get from the system.

The very definition of a protection racket!

And to be clear, I am in no way advocating an overthrow or anything of that nature.

I am merely voicing confusion at why we end up in arms about 16 year old Tiffany getting a free council house for her 2 kids, yes we praise and glorify the expense and absurdity of the royals?

Intellectual inconsistency.

As for a solution, a lack of royal family will change zero in how the country is run.

HMQ actually does nothing and is merely a symbolic figurehead.

I think having something similar to the (original) US Constitution would be an excellent start and would codify in law the limits of government.

It could be a document used to hold all politicians to a higher standard than the sorry bunch of criminals, fraudsters and puppets we have now.
Serious question now. Can I assume you served in the armed forces? So you would have sworn an oath of allegiance, right? How did that feel then? Genuinely curious.

[heights good]

Serious question now. Can I assume you served in the armed forces? So you would have sworn an oath of allegiance, right? How did that feel then? Genuinely curious.

It's an odd one for me, and I would guess for a lots of other people.

I wanted to join the military to fly and do cool stuff, saying a few sentences to make it happen was the process. If I could have done the same thing as a civilian, I would have.

How many pilots joined to be an officer? Or, like 95%, having a commission was just the game that had to be played.

Did attesting mean anything to me on a deep level, not really. Have I dug out blind and done everything that was asked of me over many deployments, exercises and day-to-day sqn life, 100%.

I have never done anything because of a duty to the Queen. It has always been a duty to the guy or gal next to me and because it is what I chose as a career and what I feel I am morally obligated to do.

I think if a lot of people actually stopped and thought about their service on a deep level they would feel broadly similar.

I dont know many who would continue to uphold their oath if they were no longer paid.

That would suggest to me, that like everyone else, it is duty to paying the bills that is important, not allegiance to HM in a way you would have expected 300 yrs ago.

And just to be clear, I am in no way suggestion ill against HM or the royals.

I am merely suggesting that a royal family has no place in a modern society and they offer nothing tangible to the country as a whole as the show is run by politicians.

[heights good]

Not so. We have an election for Parliament and the head of the winning party becomes PM. No separate election at all, unlike the American system.

Semantics.

At the end of a General Election we have a PM.

I have edited my quoted post accordingly.

[Asturias56]

Every Country has a Head of State and it's generally felt that it better if they are to some degree above the day to day politics required to run a country.

They "represent" the country at major occasions (good & bad) and are a symbol , as is the national flag and anthem. The UK has a hereditary Head of State - which removes a lot of arguments but it means it's a bit of a lucky dip as to the capabilities of the incumbent. In the case of Queen Elizabeth she'll have done the job as best she could for 70 years and that , surely, is worth remembering next year.

Sure her own family are a bit of a mess, and occasionally she hasn't reacted to events as many might have wished but she's never wavered, never been found doing dodgy deals with Lockheed, or living in palace in Bavaria, or playing the tables in Monaco while claiming to live a life of religious austerity.

The UK could have done a lot worse

[Richard Dangle]

We risk a closed Thread when we stray into Republicanism and alternative forms of misgovernment.

It would be really nice if we avoid such deviations.

We will have to agree to differ. The OP is boring...the drift is where the interest lies (IMO).

Like HG I'm a dyed-in-the-wool republican...although I would take issue with much of what he/she has posted. I have immense respect for HM who has done great service to this country and been an exemplary monarch. I have largely sympathy for the rest of the family who are born into lives they do not ask for and live a surreal existence in some sort of opague gold fish bowl. I'm pretty sure I'd go off the rails if it were me in their shoes.

I'm not a republican because of any antipathy towards the monarchy; I'm a republican because I think we can govern and lead the people better than we do at the moment. I'm also a realist, so I'm not holding my breath :)

A couple of points...

Comparing the UK and US political systems is pointless. They are apples and oranges; chalk and cheese. They have to be...the autonmy and suffrage of all fifty states is enshrined in the constitution. We are nothing like them...maybe if we had stayed in the EU we might have "gone there", but that really is a derail :)

Describing medieval monarchs as "brutal murderers" is a bit sixth form. Anybody who was in charge of anything had to have "brutal murderer" on their CV. Monarchs, popes, archbishops, lords (and not forgetting the fairer sex, Queens and the Ladies) they were all chopping off heads with gay abandon and often in the cause of peace. Pacifist, peaceful monarchs usually had the reverse effect (Henry VI would be a "arguable" example) arguable because all history is arguable

Serious question now. Can I assume you served in the armed forces? So you would have sworn an oath of allegiance, right? How did that feel then? Genuinely curious.

Fair question, but its not really a thing is it? You can swear an allegiance to something you disagree with (in whole or part) and be true and faithful to that allegiance with complete integrity and honesty. Like I said, the monarchy is what we have and I think the Queen does a great job. There is no discord or discomfort for me. Quite the reverse...I display my commissioning scroll on my office wall and am proud to do so.

In any event, it is a 100% symbolic position. As a member of the Armed Forces in the UK you are a public servant. Your true bosses are the people of the UK. And if that gives anybody discomfort then they are the ones with a problem....and quite a serious one at that (think about it).

BTW, nobody has to swear an oath of allegiance; you can "affirm" your allegiance on religious grounds.

I understand a discussion on republicanism is a controversial topic on a military forum; I don't understand why it has to be conducted in such a hostile (and fairly uninformed) manner amongst presumably intelligent, educated people.

And why on earth would a discussion about republicanism on a military forum need to be locked? I'm pretty certain the Queen is not going to complain.

[davidevans54]

Her Majesty The Queen will mark 70 years as our sovereign on 6 Feb 22.

Not even the faintest whisper of how this might be celebrated.

Any hints????????????

Old Duffer
Preferably by making the whole bunch of Royals and their hangers-on, board an Imperial Airways flying boat and send them into outer space! Who cares? Only the little Englanders. A complete irrelevance designed to give the British delusions of grandeur about their declining, unprogressive, and increasingly impoverished country.

[Sloppy Link]

You might wish to look at the RBL page (https://support.britishlegion.org.uk/app/answers/detail/a_id/553/~/applying-for-medals) and that from the MoD (https://www.gov.uk/apply-medal-or-veterans-badge/replace-a-medal-or-badge). Tankertashnav knows a lot about medals and may be able to advise; my take from the MoD page is that the decision to bury the medals with your grandfather would preclude replacement by the MoD, and that you'd instead need to find out the medals to which he was entitled and obtain a set privately. I'm sure someone who has far more knowledge will be along presently, but if not...

Forgive the pedantry, but you're asking for a duplicate set rather than getting them back - as well as offering some twonk the opportunity for an insensitive and inappropriate suggestion, it might imply to someone in officialdom that they might be in a position to be retrieved, which, of course, they're not. They are, in effect 'lost', even though you know exactly where they are (if that makes sense).

Unless there are any gallantry awards, WW2 medals are not named, a replacement set should be quite easy to source from a popular internet auction site. Expect about £25 for 39-45, Defence, Victory then £30-35 for Atlantic, France and Germany, Africa. A bit more for Burma, more again for Pacific and then £60+ for Aircrew Europe. The price would rise with documented provenance. If he was entitled to the Arctic Star and it hadn’t been issued, he (you) may be able to get that from the Medal Office.

[dctyke]

Well, that gives me almost a whole year to rummage about in the loft to see if I can unearth my 1977 adornment and give it a polish to celebrate the occasion! ;)

I was told I was getting one as a J/T, then they discovered I was getting a CinC award, so they give it to somebody else on the Squadron!

[dctyke]

Unless there are any gallantry awards, WW2 medals are not named, a replacement set should be quite easy to source from a popular internet auction site. Expect about £25 for 39-45, Defence, Victory then £30-35 for Atlantic, France and Germany, Africa. A bit more for Burma, more again for Pacific and then £60+ for Aircrew Europe. The price would rise with documented provenance. If he was entitled to the Arctic Star and it hadn’t been issued, he (you) may be able to get that from the Medal Office.

its not unknown for people to purchase medals, have the edge skimmed and put new service details on the edge!

[NutLoose]

A lot of medals from ww2 will be nameless as said, good luck with your search and one hopes you can give your mum some comfort in holding a set again.

[heights good]

Every Country has a Head of State and it's generally felt that it better if they are to some degree above the day to day politics required to run a country.

They "represent" the country at major occasions (good & bad) and are a symbol , as is the national flag and anthem. The UK has a hereditary Head of State - which removes a lot of arguments but it means it's a bit of a lucky dip as to the capabilities of the incumbent. In the case of Queen Elizabeth she'll have done the job as best she could for 70 years and that , surely, is worth remembering next year.

Sure her own family are a bit of a mess, and occasionally she hasn't reacted to events as many might have wished but she's never wavered, never been found doing dodgy deals with Lockheed, or living in palace in Bavaria, or playing the tables in Monaco while claiming to live a life of religious austerity.

The UK could have done a lot worse

"A bit of a mess".

Edward VIII abdicated to marry a divorced American, numerous divorces, adultery by Margaret, Charles, Andrew, Anne, Diana, Fergie, dodgy business interests, accepting bribes, naked parties in Vegas, possible involvement with sex trafficking, Nazi costumes, racist comments, questionable parentage (Harry), "stepping back from royal life"....

This ignores my point about the utility of the royals.

Regardless of whether HM "could have done a lot worse", it is still an eye-wateringly expensive and largely pointless institution.

The royals cost a fortune, provides nothing of substance and if they were no longer here, have zero effect on the UK other than some old stuffy pensioners complaining.

Other than 'I like the royals' or 'they bring in millions in visitors every year' (not true) or 'they help UK PLC' (negligible at best), I have never heard a compelling and logical argument as to why we should continue.

[Cyberhacker]

Her Majesty The Queen will mark 70 years as our sovereign on 6 Feb 22.

Not even the faintest whisper of how this might be celebrated.

Just checked, and even though the thread is already on Page 3, no-one has actually answered the question, even though WikiPedia is on the case (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platinum_Jubilee_of_Elizabeth_II):

In the United Kingdom, an extra bank holiday will be created and the traditional May bank holiday weekend will be moved to the start of June, to create a special four-day Jubilee weekend, while a Platinum Jubilee medal will be created to mark the Jubilee. It will be awarded to people who work in public service, including representatives of the Armed Forces, the emergency services and the prison services

[heights good]

We will have to agree to differ. The OP is boring...the drift is where the interest lies (IMO).

Comparing the UK and US political systems is pointless. They are apples and oranges; chalk and cheese. They have to be...the autonmy and suffrage of all fifty states is enshrined in the constitution. We are nothing like them...maybe if we had stayed in the EU we might have "gone there", but that really is a derail :)

Describing medieval monarchs as "brutal murderers" is a bit sixth form. Anybody who was in charge of anything had to have "brutal murderer" on their CV. Monarchs, popes, archbishops, lords (and not forgetting the fairer sex, Queens and the Ladies) they were all chopping off heads with gay abandon and often in the cause of peace. Pacifist, peaceful monarchs usually had the reverse effect (Henry VI would be a "arguable" example) arguable because all history is arguable

I did not compare the US & UK political systems.

My point about "brutal murders" was meant to demonstrate that royals are nobodies, they were just descendants of whoever had the greatest luck in killing their way to the top and the greatest urge to be the boss.

No altruism, no service, no 'for the good of the people'.

Fast forward 1,000 years and we still have their descendants on the throne. We adorn them with an insane about of riches, privileges and treat them like they are special.

They are in no way special and have zero role
to play in a modern society.

[The B Word]

heights good

Any more of that talk and you’ll be getting new neighbours...

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/634x769/37955158_9142755_the_birds_are_looked_after_by_ravenmaster_c hristopher_skaife_he_m_19_1610557886486_4543c42249639fb518b2 0f9015fcc4493d4f329e.jpg

[Asturias56]

But heights - every Head of State costs money - I don't think the UK overpays for what it gets

It's reasonably popular, helps with the tourist trade, makes some people proud............. as long as they're kept away from the actual levers of power I can't see the problem. You could have a Putin, a Trump, a Marcos after all

[Sloppy Link]

its not unknown for people to purchase medals, have the edge skimmed and put new service details on the edge!
WW2 medals were issued unnamed, WW1 were named. Gallantry weren’t named the date of award was inscribed.

[shinners]

French are right...royal family members should be......"shorter" )))))))

[Valiantone]

So in June next year we can likely look forward to a reasonable flypast and a few extra days off..... Oh wait the miserable Police are out.....

Oh and after the last years events.... Old people!! Go out and celebrate...

[Tankertrashnav]

WW2 medals were issued unnamed, WW1 were named. Gallantry weren’t named the date of award was inscribed.

Going back to a less controversial part of this thread, that statement isn't strictly correct. Whereas officers' decorations (DSC,MC,DFC etc) were traditionally issued unnamed, merely dated, since 1 January 1984 they have been officially named. Those which were awarded exclusively to other ranks were always named. These included the DSM, DCM, MM, DFM, AFM etc. These of course ceased to be awarded from 1993 when all ranks became eligible for those awards which had previously only been given to officers and warrant officers.

Incidentally the Victoria Cross is invariably named on the reverse of the suspension, whether it is awarded to an officer or another rank.

[Sloppy Link]

Going back to a less controversial part of this thread, that statement isn't strictly correct. Whereas officers' decorations (DSC,MC,DFC etc) were traditionally issued unnamed, merely dated, since 1 January 1984 they have been officially named. Those which were awarded exclusively to other ranks were always named. These included the DSM, DCM, MM, DFM, AFM etc. These of course ceased to be awarded from 1993 when all ranks became eligible for those awards which had previously only been given to officers and warrant officers.

Incidentally the Victoria Cross is invariably named on the reverse of the suspension, whether it is awarded to an officer or another rank.
Ta TTN, I knew they weren’t all named, I just thought....it was all (or none).

[Old-Duffer]

I take the blame for this Thread drifting away from where I started it - so let's see if we can get back to the original point.

The jubilee in 2022 offers a unique opportunity to acknowledge the very many things which might go unnoticed. For example, perhaps those who completed -say- 50 years in the public service during HMs reign might get the jubilee medal. It might be an opportunity to acknowledge those at the frontline working level of the NHS (we did issue an Ebola Medal). There might be a series of bursaries in the Queen's name for disadvantaged students. Research fellowships and the like might be endowed.

The opportunities are extensive but ppruners are nothing, if not imaginative - go to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Old Duffer

[teeteringhead]

those who completed -say- 50 years in the public service during HMs reign might get the jubilee medal. ... like your good self for example O-D!

Beats me with a mere 48 years and 4 months.........

[Old-Duffer]

In that case Teeteringhead I must change the qualifying period to 55 years, as I would not wish to be accused of trying to elbow my way in by taking advantage. Hang on a moment - 55 years still leaves me in the frame!!!

O-D

[T28B]

Some of you seem to have mistaken the Military Aviation Forum for the UK Politics thread in Jet Blast.
The posts were binned, not moved, because you all know better.

[Tocsin]

O-D, talking about medals and celebrating a head of state's jubilee is probably appropriate to a Military forum. I agree with T28B that talking about the overthrow of the monarchy is appropriate to Jet Blast. Actually doing something about it involves getting elected to Parliament with sufficient numbers of votes and MPs to achieve it...