So where is my "Cold War Medal" then? After nearly 28 years and leaving bare chested (I was a Whitehall Warrior for both the Falklands and GW1) I've been waiting desperately for a just reward to pin on my blazer, even losing sleep over it.

Only joking, I couldn't really give a sh1t!

I've been informed that I will receive my Cold War medal (several actually) in October 16. No ribbon or clasp, and no ceremony- the medals will all be sent to my bank. Monthly!

CG

That's fine for full size but what about the miniatures? Do you use 5p coins? :p

CG,

Nail and head! The grateful country puts dosh into my bank account on the 24th of each month - pity it's taxed, though.

Anyone know the DIN Number? I've looked all over the intrAnet and can't see anything....:\

Downsizer,

Try here:

Thanks mate, I'll have a nosey tomorrow. Swear I couldn't see it today!

Can anyone through some light on this anomaly with medals?

I was deployed last year to support a small UK trg team, which was part of a multinational contingent headed by the U.S. There were also a number of Canadians deployed supporting the same mission, and their contribution was formally recognised with a medal. Now, my understanding is that as a Commonwealth country the award of a medal is authorised by Her Majesty, so if the Canadians were receiving the award, why didn't the MoD/UK?

Not all Commonwealth countries have HMQ as the head of state.

Though Canada is one of those that does have.

In my case I left with qty 2 medals after 29 regular and 11 FTRS years. LSGC and the Jubilee medal.
I just didn't seem to be in the right place - ever. I'm not complaining.

Falklands - Visiting Aircraft Flight at Kinloss turning round spares run Jetstreams.
First Gulf War - 8 Sqn Shacks -not required or of any use!
Second Gulf War - FTRS at Kinloss Coordinating A/C deployment.


Thinks:- Maybe I WAS in the right place

I've revived this thread rather than start a new one, but I spotted this story in the paper the other day

French firm to make British medals for first time - Telegraph

I'm a bit in two minds over this. Having seen the very poor quality of awards being given out recently I think that perhaps the British makers who have lost out have only themselves to blame. The OBE I was given to mount with its proud recipient's existing medals looked as though it had come out of a Christmas cracker. Compared with the earlier splendid orders made by the Royal Mint or Garrards the modern awards are of much poorer quality.

That said, if the tender has been won entirely on the basis of price I have no great hopes for the quality of medals we can expect.

But did it have to be the French ?!!!!

:*

Sad to see, TTN. I can however readily accept that price could be key driver here. Back when I used to order RAF shooting medals from Fattorini, it was quite eye-watering when the bills came in - and these weren't precious metal, or even plated!

But did it have to be the French ?!!!! - TTN

Recipients might just have to get used to being kissed on presentation - on all four cheeks....:eek:

Jack

A possible new ribbon design for the next medal?

http://sunshine-scrapbooking.co.uk/i...kingRibbon.jpg

Ah, Nutloose, THAT one!! I was the instigator of that at RAFSAA :D

Who let you in the Stock Room at Bisley? ;)

A possible new ribbon design for the next medal? - Nutty

Reminds me of taking a yacht into Deauville and discovering that we didn't have a French courtesy flag on board, so we took a deep breath and hoisted Flag Tango and no one noticed for the next ten days, despite the colours being reversed with red nearest the halyard rather than blue....:=

Jack

On behalf of my late father I applied for and have recently received the GSM 1962 with clasp CYPRUS 1963-64. The bar is of a poor quality compared with that of the 2 clasps on his 1918 GSM. The latest of which is the CANAL ZONE clasp. Very disappointing.

As for the French being awarded the contract for new medals - words fail me !!!

Aaron.

Good news, apparently there has been a bit of backtracking after some hostile questioning by a Labour MP in Parliament.

'Get this scandal sorted out': Dudley MP criticises Government over British medals made in France « Express & Star

It remains to be seen whether the contracts will remain in Britain. Meantime maybe this will be a wake up call for British manufacturers and encourage them to up their game and not turn out the sort of shoddy work referred to by Aaron O'Dickydido. It can still be done, I have had a couple of private commissions done for me by a well known firm of medallists in the midlands and can attest that they can turn out superb work. Mind you, I didn't quibble with their quote - maybe as others have said that's the basic problem

TTN, the French could contest that ruling as on that basis they should have been awarded the contract for the Waterloo medal.
Get your free medal to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo this year - Mirror Online

Had the privilege a couple of years ago of visiting the Royal Mint in Wales, where they were STILL producing - amongst lots of other stuff - old campaign medals.

And the quality control was amazing. They produced some of their rejects, gave me a large magnifying glass and invited me to spot the flaw which caused rejection. Beat me - they all looked perfect. Maybe TTN could have spotted a fault; I certainly couldn't't!