More Medals/Bar!
If one looks at the study by Sir John Holmes, one sees some fairly serious gaps in his remit. Given that the issue (or not as the case might be) of medals has always been emotive, the opportunity for Holmes' study to deal with the thing once and for all has been missed.
Several things, including those mentioned above, might have been covered and I offer these without any opinion as to which way the coin should have landed.
The award of a long service medal for personnel, regardless of rank or combinations of non commissioned and officer service.
A review of the disqualification criteria, which affect mostly young personnel in the early years of service but which prevent them being awarded the LS&GCM in later years.
The different lengths of service required in different parts of the reserve and volunteer reserve forces eg; VR and VR(T) are 10 and 12 years but with different continuity terms and certain classes of the RAFR get nothing because they are deemed to be civil servants.
The replacement of the seven or is it eight different gongs for various parts of the Bulkans and issued by 3(?) different agencies, by a single 'quality' British campaign medal.
The award of a proper medal which denotes the MiD, and Queen's Commendation for Bravery, Valuable Service etc. After all, service personnel may wear the Royal Humane Society and certain other civilian medals, albeit on the right.
Confirmation that the events in Hong Kong during 1967-69, which got a bit hot at times - the events that is, not HK - were not sufficient to warrant a clasp to the GSM. This activity might also be undertaken for several other bits of 'nasty' over the last 50 years or so.
The whole question of the 'levels of gallantry' introduced circa 1994 could well do with a fresh look, given that they were originally set in a very different era than that in which the forces have operated in the last 15 years or so.
Old Duffer
Several things, including those mentioned above, might have been covered and I offer these without any opinion as to which way the coin should have landed.
The award of a long service medal for personnel, regardless of rank or combinations of non commissioned and officer service.
A review of the disqualification criteria, which affect mostly young personnel in the early years of service but which prevent them being awarded the LS&GCM in later years.
The different lengths of service required in different parts of the reserve and volunteer reserve forces eg; VR and VR(T) are 10 and 12 years but with different continuity terms and certain classes of the RAFR get nothing because they are deemed to be civil servants.
The replacement of the seven or is it eight different gongs for various parts of the Bulkans and issued by 3(?) different agencies, by a single 'quality' British campaign medal.
The award of a proper medal which denotes the MiD, and Queen's Commendation for Bravery, Valuable Service etc. After all, service personnel may wear the Royal Humane Society and certain other civilian medals, albeit on the right.
Confirmation that the events in Hong Kong during 1967-69, which got a bit hot at times - the events that is, not HK - were not sufficient to warrant a clasp to the GSM. This activity might also be undertaken for several other bits of 'nasty' over the last 50 years or so.
The whole question of the 'levels of gallantry' introduced circa 1994 could well do with a fresh look, given that they were originally set in a very different era than that in which the forces have operated in the last 15 years or so.
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I had been out a year and received a message asking if I wanted to drop in at some time to collect my long gong from OC PSFs safe, never did. Cold War medal? Hmmmm, not sure - when we're all old enough to warrant some attention through political clout then there will be one. Definitely the need for a wound stripe though, or something like that.
I quite like LJ's idea of a pin back rigid ribbon bar for wear in shirt sleeve order, etc - if you've got them, flaunt them, I say!
Not been issued in the UK since WW2, as far as I know, but I think another good idea, although there will always be argument over what constitutes a wound! Incidentally, when looking into this in some old references, I discovered these are correctly called "wound strips" (not stripes), but like everyone else I've always called them stripes.
Definitely the need for a wound stripe though, or something like that
Originally Posted by Surplus
The qualifying period for the award of the South Atlantic Medal without the Rosette will be extended from 12 July to 21 October 1982
Originally Posted by Brigadier (Retd) BAH Parritt CBE
CONCLUSION
Operation Corporate was a great success. The Royal Navy, in a remarkably short period, gathered a task force together, and sailed 8000 miles to the Falkland Islands. A large number of Merchant Navy ships were taken up from trade. From 2 April to 14 June 1982 the RN provided protection and supplies in the face of fierce opposition; the Royal Marines and Army fought a superior number of enemy and successfully liberated the Islands; the RAF provided essential air cover (sic) and resupplied those ashore as best they could, given the distances, with skill and bravery. The award of the South Atlantic Medal to those engaged in the period of hostilities with the medal and rosette was fully justified.
The issue lies in the selection of the date of 12th July as the cut off period for the award of the medal without the rosette. This decision, within days of the ending of hostilities, was remarkably rapid, and is considered by many observers to have been premature. Although the Argentine forces on the Falkland Islands had surrendered, it is clear that the British Government consistently feared, with good reason, for a significant further period, that there might be a resumption of hostilities. In particular they were nervous that the Argentine Government, notably the Argentine Air Force, which had operated to deadly effect during the war, might initiate some form of “revenge attack”. It was this assessment of the risk that resulted in the three services having to remain at very high states of alert, in extremely rigorous conditions, to maintain a credible defence of the Islands. Although there were in the event no fresh attacks, this may well have been at least in part because of the deterrent effect of British forces maintaining their ability to respond to any threat more or less immediately
In Sir John Holmes’ original review, he identifies one factor which can justify a change in earlier decisions regarding medallic recognition as “Significant new information becoming available that had not been considered previously”. In this case, the very early choice of the cut-off date of 12th July, which may have been at least partly driven by a perceived need, for political reasons, to ensure visible early rewards for the military success, in time for a planned parade in the early autumn, did not reflect or recognise the high degree of risk, as confirmed in repeated Cabinet Office Papers, which continued to exist in the period immediately after the ceasefire. Recognition of and compliance with this risk caused all those still involved in the Falklands Campaign to endure exceptional levels of rigour for several more months.
RECOMMENDATION
In these circumstances I believe that it is justified to extend the current period for qualification of the South Atlantic Medal without the Rosette, on the same conditions as before, to the 21st October 1982. That is the date when the requirement for ships to maintain ‘Defence Watch’ status was removed, because the airfield at Stanley was complete and operational, and the threat from Argentine forces was considered to have reduced sufficiently to justify such a step.
The number of personnel who would benefit from this decision is hard to calculate exactly but is likely to be around 10,000. The cost should be limited, even if new medals have to be struck, which is not certain, given the numbers originally produced. Research to establish eligibility should be relatively straightforward since the events are relatively recent and good records are readily available.
Originally Posted by Wikipedia
...The rosette remains an unusual feature for a British medal and was used in this case because otherwise fewer than two hundred medals would have been issued to the Royal Air Force. The vast majority of the medals were issued with a rosette whereas over 90% of the medals issued to the Royal Air Force are without the rosette and thus rarer, the recipients having been stationed on Ascension Island, some 3,300 nmi (6,100 km) north of the Falkland Islands and the war zone...
P-N , unlikely, but not impossible. He gets the France & Germany Star for his efforts on D Day. Later his ship is sent to the Far East and on the way sees active service in the Eastern Med, which earns him the Italy Star, then his Far East service earns him either the Burma Star or the Pacific Star (but not both). Add on his 1939-45 Star and you have your four campaign stars.
Boats moved around a bit!
I found the criteria for the award of the South Atlantic Medal and the Gulf War Medal (1990/91 version that is) 'interesting'.
In both cases - Ascension Island in the first and Cyprus in the second - that the appropriate medal without clasp was awarded to personnel based there. My recollection was that the medals and the criteria for their award were not determined until the post conflict period. By that time, it would have been readily apparent that neither location had come under attack nor IIRC was either 'closely threatened' by the enemy.
Does anybody know the rationale for the gongs going to people on ASI or Cyprus? I ask as a matter of interest, not to start a rant.
As an aside, shortly after the conclusion of GW1, I attended a briefing (I was at HQSTC at the time) and one of the great men indicated that those of us who had been bunker bunnies during the recent unpleasantness would probably get a campaign medal. I thought this both unlikely (proved to be right) and unjustified (slept in a warm bed every - hence undeserved).
In both cases - Ascension Island in the first and Cyprus in the second - that the appropriate medal without clasp was awarded to personnel based there. My recollection was that the medals and the criteria for their award were not determined until the post conflict period. By that time, it would have been readily apparent that neither location had come under attack nor IIRC was either 'closely threatened' by the enemy.
Does anybody know the rationale for the gongs going to people on ASI or Cyprus? I ask as a matter of interest, not to start a rant.
As an aside, shortly after the conclusion of GW1, I attended a briefing (I was at HQSTC at the time) and one of the great men indicated that those of us who had been bunker bunnies during the recent unpleasantness would probably get a campaign medal. I thought this both unlikely (proved to be right) and unjustified (slept in a warm bed every - hence undeserved).
so in a year you could quite easily get the 39/45, Atlantic, France & Germany, Italy and Burma star. And of course, the Arctic star is now an option as well.
Prior to the introduction of the Arctic Star the maximum number of campaign stars which could be awarded was 5, and, as Davef68 says, these are usually seen on groups to RN, or more often MN recipients. Most famous example of this is the group awarded to Lieutenant Phillip Mountbatten, RN (HRH Prince Phillip), including his MID for the Battle of Cape Matapan. I assume there are now groups with 6 campaign stars, although I have yet to see one.
Does anybody know the rationale for the gongs going to people on ASI or Cyprus? I ask as a matter of interest, not to start a rant.
Last edited by Tankertrashnav; 1st Aug 2014 at 15:48.
Hmmmm, terribly difficult to argue specific cases in such a minefield of rival merit! However, one unrecognised joint effort is, The Cold War. Fought, without present recognition, largely by the volunteer members of all Services. The Cold War was, nonetheless, fought and won. Surely, there is sufficient merit for the recognition of the efforts of around one million servicemen in this campaign! Or, is that the problem? 
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I can still hear those 4.a.m phone calls - and then landing at field-sites in Germany approx 12 hrs later - happy days. I digress, if I wasn't worthy of Silver and Diamond Jubilee Medals after serving Aunty Betty for nearly 40 years, then - for me - they can stick any consideration of a Cold War Medal right up where the Sun doesn't shine.
And while I'm on my soap box re medals - South Atlantic Medal (?), for those who never went further South than Ascension Island, seriously? There was a greater threat to life from Guatemala flying up and down the Belize/Guat border?
If it had not been for Sandy Hunter's push (Cdr BFC), I doubt those on Cyprus would have received a gong - within range!?*
"Breathe in, breathe out..."
And while I'm on my soap box re medals - South Atlantic Medal (?), for those who never went further South than Ascension Island, seriously? There was a greater threat to life from Guatemala flying up and down the Belize/Guat border?
If it had not been for Sandy Hunter's push (Cdr BFC), I doubt those on Cyprus would have received a gong - within range!?*
"Breathe in, breathe out..."
And while I'm on my soap box re medals - South Atlantic Medal (?), for those who never went further South than Ascension Island, seriously? There was a greater threat to life from Guatemala flying up and down the Belize/Guat border?
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
On ASI in 1984 things were quite relaxed with only the 5 or 6 senior officers wearing headdress. As the Timmy started to stage through the operation was winding down quite nicely and eventually Serco took over.
However before Serco took over, just after the Timmy started, a Regt Officer was sent out to create a ground defence plan, DPM was required I believe, and even exercises conducted.
So, during the war and immediate aftermath things were relaxed, enjoyable, and worked smoothly. Came the new Ops block, the draw down of the air bridge and peace, so the pain began
However before Serco took over, just after the Timmy started, a Regt Officer was sent out to create a ground defence plan, DPM was required I believe, and even exercises conducted.
So, during the war and immediate aftermath things were relaxed, enjoyable, and worked smoothly. Came the new Ops block, the draw down of the air bridge and peace, so the pain began
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Out of interest why did they drop the GSM? A lot of the recent conflicts could have been covered by a simple bar, or was it something to do with the bling factor as in changing the uniform design to increase the recruitment rate?
Two theories, both of which have equal credence. Firstly, there is only enough room on the medal for five bars, I think by the time of it's cessation there were 13 bars. Secondly, there was the realisation that when the ribbon alone was worn, the theatre of operations was not recognised as the ribbon alone is relatively faceless and even with the bars, an observer has to invade ones personal space to read what the bar says.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
My grandfather had the pre-1962 GSM earned in 'Iraq' in 1920.
Not sure when it was first issued but 40 odd years for each is something.
Medals day to day are not worn so I suspect many people never see them.
That said, on a cruise last week an Army SO wore his full-size medals (12 or so) on his undress jacket.
Not sure when it was first issued but 40 odd years for each is something.
Medals day to day are not worn so I suspect many people never see them.
That said, on a cruise last week an Army SO wore his full-size medals (12 or so) on his undress jacket.
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I can understand that, but as with the previous GSM the ribbon was simply changed, same colours, different width, surely that could have been sone again, or even a change of design at a set date as happened before, then the bar amount wouldn't have been an issue, as for invading ones space, most joe public will still not know what ribbon is what, so that will still occur,