2014 New Year Honours (merged)
Congratulations to one and all.
I find it mildly disconcerting that, although still serving, I know none of the recipients, except the Air Ranks, and then only by their names do I need to get out more?
I find it mildly disconcerting that, although still serving, I know none of the recipients, except the Air Ranks, and then only by their names do I need to get out more?
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You are not alone, I did not recognise a single name from the RN, and I used to get out loads. Always a lot of bitching when these awards come out. Many people just do their jobs as well as they can, receive nothing, expect nothing anyway and simply fade away. Not that's there's anything wrong with that and all the better for it.
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Jimlad,
Perhaps I was bemoaning the lack of junior rank inclusion from the position of a "junior".
We're not all Officers here you know.
I feel quite sure their must be a junior rank more than deserving out there.
Perhaps I was bemoaning the lack of junior rank inclusion from the position of a "junior".
We're not all Officers here you know.
I feel quite sure their must be a junior rank more than deserving out there.
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Originally Posted by Jayand
I feel quite sure their must be a junior rank more than deserving out there.
Did the air ranks work over christmas and new year de-icing runways?
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Ross Paterson
Blimey - AVM and another gong.
Ross was my flight commander at Cranwell back in 1988. Someone I wish I had perhaps paid more attention to than I did. No messing type of chap.
If he is reading this - congratulations.
Ross was my flight commander at Cranwell back in 1988. Someone I wish I had perhaps paid more attention to than I did. No messing type of chap.
If he is reading this - congratulations.
Again....
I note that latest Personnel Bulletin exhorts us to do better at identifying exceptional performance and writing suitable citations.
Maybe not unconnected, DT has presented some data on broad rank spread of State awards since demise of BEM in Military Division of Order of British Empire (see link: Honours bias 'favours officers over soldiers' - Telegraph).
Whilst broadly in agreement that what we have ended up with seems unfair, I do think that to some extent the award of LS&GCM to a high proportion of OR makes up for lack of other State awards. As a wild-arsed guess, I'd say that a greater proportion of OR with 15+ years of service have LS&GC than officers and WO of same service have been admitted to Order of British Empire.
Other than that, well done Rich Langley (OBE).
Batco
Maybe not unconnected, DT has presented some data on broad rank spread of State awards since demise of BEM in Military Division of Order of British Empire (see link: Honours bias 'favours officers over soldiers' - Telegraph).
Whilst broadly in agreement that what we have ended up with seems unfair, I do think that to some extent the award of LS&GCM to a high proportion of OR makes up for lack of other State awards. As a wild-arsed guess, I'd say that a greater proportion of OR with 15+ years of service have LS&GC than officers and WO of same service have been admitted to Order of British Empire.
Other than that, well done Rich Langley (OBE).
Batco
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BATCO
I'm not sure what direction that statement is heading in, but the LS&GCM is awarded to non-commissioned personnel (and, I believe, Officers commissioned from the ranks) after completing 15 years qualifying service (without being disbarred for any reason).
The Long Service aspect most often means that the individual has been around the camps a bit, and is willing to put up with the current employment for a while longer, it is certainly not an 'honour' award...
So, whilst the quoted statement is factually correct, the award of a LS&GCM does not usually leave the recipient with the warm, fuzzy feeling that all of their efforts so far have been noticed and appreciated. It just confirms that the RAF have not got enough evidence to halt their career before pension time.
I have known some truly excellent non-commissioned personnel, many of whom would be truly deserving of some recognition, but because of their rank (at the time), it would have been a no hoper. (Has an SAC ever been awarded an MBE...?)
Whilst broadly in agreement that what we have ended up with seems unfair, I do think that to some extent the award of LS&GCM to a high proportion of OR makes up for lack of other State awards. As a wild-arsed guess, I'd say that a greater proportion of OR with 15+ years of service have LS&GC than officers and WO of same service have been admitted to Order of British Empire.
The Long Service aspect most often means that the individual has been around the camps a bit, and is willing to put up with the current employment for a while longer, it is certainly not an 'honour' award...
So, whilst the quoted statement is factually correct, the award of a LS&GCM does not usually leave the recipient with the warm, fuzzy feeling that all of their efforts so far have been noticed and appreciated. It just confirms that the RAF have not got enough evidence to halt their career before pension time.
I have known some truly excellent non-commissioned personnel, many of whom would be truly deserving of some recognition, but because of their rank (at the time), it would have been a no hoper. (Has an SAC ever been awarded an MBE...?)
I'm clearly just stirring but...
Have you ever noticed on threads like this that it seems perfectly reasonable to rubbish the efforts of Officers and accuse them all of being chinless wonders who just take the credit for others work but you very rarely, if ever, see anyone saying the opposite?
I am absolutely certain that there are more hard working JRs and NCOs who are deserving of awards who don't receive them (and it genuinely disappoints me that more don't) but I feel certain that, whilst those Officers weren't out de-icing runways, they were probably still working their respective dangly bits off in order to receive the recognition they have garnered.
BV
I am absolutely certain that there are more hard working JRs and NCOs who are deserving of awards who don't receive them (and it genuinely disappoints me that more don't) but I feel certain that, whilst those Officers weren't out de-icing runways, they were probably still working their respective dangly bits off in order to receive the recognition they have garnered.
BV
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Has an SAC ever been awarded an MBE...?
I myself am quite nonchalant about the process although I do disagree with individual crew members receiving awards in cases where the whole crew have been courageous. The common argument of all = nothing is unacceptable IMHO.
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Jimlad,
Perhaps I was bemoaning the lack of junior rank inclusion from the position of a "junior".
We're not all Officers here you know.
I feel quite sure their must be a junior rank more than deserving out there.
Perhaps I was bemoaning the lack of junior rank inclusion from the position of a "junior".
We're not all Officers here you know.
I feel quite sure their must be a junior rank more than deserving out there.
I myself am quite nonchalant about the process although I do disagree with individual crew members receiving awards in cases where the whole crew have been courageous. The common argument of all = nothing is unacceptable IMHO.
Fairey Battle P2204 PH-K of 12 Squadron RAF as it might have looked in May 1940. This aircraft was lost on May 12th 1940 while attacking the Veldwezelt bridge at Maastricht. All the crew were killed but only the pilot and navigator Flg Officer Garland and Sergeant Thomas Gray were awarded VCs. The air gunner LAC Reynolds was not given any recognition.
That is SO wrong.
Flying Officer Garland VC, Sergeant Gray VC - 1940 - WW2 Talk
And I totally agree with this
Getting back to LAC Reynolds,it appears to be irrational that he was not mentioned in the citation and was not recognised for his bravery.This lack of appreciation of Reynolds still appears to be apparent as at Waddington,in 2001,I saw a parked No 12 Squadron Tornado bearing the dedication at the rear end of the fuselage "Garland VC and Gray VC".Its a pity that Reynolds name could not have been included.
I refuse to call anyone Sir whatever... And have told them to their face
Oh dear! I probably "resemble" that remark, but hope that you wouldn't take umbrage at me addressing any man I meet as "Sir" if I don't initially know their name.
That said, I don't disagree with the overall tenor of your post, and I speak as someone very involved in the Honours and Awards process
Jack
PS You'd better not go abroad, M'sieu
Oh dear! I probably "resemble" that remark, but hope that you wouldn't take umbrage at me addressing any man I meet as "Sir" if I don't initially know their name.
That said, I don't disagree with the overall tenor of your post, and I speak as someone very involved in the Honours and Awards process
Jack
PS You'd better not go abroad, M'sieu
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I mean as in the title, I was told you can call me Sir XYZ, and I said XYZ it is then.. And that was that, got on like a house on fire once my views were understood and accepted..
I don't mean any offence in it, just my personal view, in the past knighthoods were awarded for deeds, not simply doing your job. Far different from gallantry awards where they have my total and deep respect for what they have done.
Re LAC Reynolds, it appears 12 Sqn at the time tried to get it overturned, shame he couldn't be recognised retrospectively.
RAF BINBROOK HERITAGE CENTRE - Fairey Battle
I don't mean any offence in it, just my personal view, in the past knighthoods were awarded for deeds, not simply doing your job. Far different from gallantry awards where they have my total and deep respect for what they have done.
Re LAC Reynolds, it appears 12 Sqn at the time tried to get it overturned, shame he couldn't be recognised retrospectively.
RAF BINBROOK HERITAGE CENTRE - Fairey Battle
P2204 - Shot down in flames by intense flak - crew killed - F/O Donald Garland and Sgt Tom Gray received the first air Victoria Crosses of WWII posthumously.
LAC Roy Reynolds received no recognition because it was not felt that he merited a VC and no other award could be made posthumously.
This caused considerable distress to his family and to the squadron who have tried unsuccessfully since then to rectify the omission.
LAC Roy Reynolds received no recognition because it was not felt that he merited a VC and no other award could be made posthumously.
This caused considerable distress to his family and to the squadron who have tried unsuccessfully since then to rectify the omission.
Last edited by NutLoose; 13th Jan 2014 at 22:09.
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There are a fair few out there if you take time to look. All very well deserved.
For example:
Corporal to Raise Flag at Olympic Opening Ceremony
For example:
Corporal to Raise Flag at Olympic Opening Ceremony
David has raised more than £200,000 for charity, mainly for terminally ill and disadvantaged children, his efforts leading to him being awarded the MBE in 2008. While serving in the Falkland Islands in 2006 he raised £2,600 in just 16 days including running 36 miles on a treadmill in 5 hours and 55 seconds.
Gentleman Aviator
Nutloose
Just for interest, what are your views on Knighthoods for actors, pop-stars and sportsmen? (eg Sir Larry, Sir Cliff and Sir Wiggo).
Are they not "just doing their job"? And for considerably more money than anyone in uniform or any other sort of public service.......
Just for interest, what are your views on Knighthoods for actors, pop-stars and sportsmen? (eg Sir Larry, Sir Cliff and Sir Wiggo).
Are they not "just doing their job"? And for considerably more money than anyone in uniform or any other sort of public service.......
Has an SAC ever been awarded an MBE...?
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...ours-list.html
with SAC Swift listed as a recipient of the MBE in the NY Honours 2010.
And 1996 must have been a good year as there were three (SAC Mackell, SACW Richford, SACW Walker) - click here
Probably more can be found by those with better google skills than me!
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My apologies for not clarifying that point, all Knighthoods. I can understand it for doing great services to the Crown, etc, but the rest is just piffle.
These days for some strange reason they seem to hand them out just to make up the numbers. Why knight someone for winning a Gold Medal at the Olympics or singing a song?. Its like the MBE to Camerons hairdresser.
These days for some strange reason they seem to hand them out just to make up the numbers. Why knight someone for winning a Gold Medal at the Olympics or singing a song?. Its like the MBE to Camerons hairdresser.