MP for Waveney Peter Aldous has called for medallic recognition to veterans who have served in the army yet may not have seen active service.

 

Peter has signed an Early Day Motion calling on the Government for proper recognition of those who have served in the Armed Forces since the end of the Second World War. He is one of 33 MPs to sign the EDM urging Whitehall to honour all veterans with a National Defence Medal and not just on the basis of whether they have seen military action.  

 

The EDM 641 sponsored by Bill Cash MP calls on MPs to note “the significant personal sacrifice armed forces personnel make in their service to the nation” and urges the Government to establish a working group to liaise with the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals and introduce a National Defence Medal.

 

In the US and New Zealand members of the armed forces can earn a medal after serving for three years. In Australia the qualifying period is four years. However, in the UK the regular servicemen can only earn a long service and good conduct medal for 15 years’ service.

 

Peter commented:

 

“I am delighted to support this Motion as believe that former army personnel regardless of whether they have been to war or not should quite rightly be recognised and as such, I shall stand up for the Armed Forces in my Waveney constituency and lobby the Government for greater medallic recognition. We should not ignore those veterans who chose to serve their country at a time when there may not have been conflict as their choice to serve is no less impressive or worthy.”

 

The National Defence Medal Bill 2014-15 sponsored by Stephen Gilbert MP is expected to have its Second Reading stage on 27th February 2015.

 

| EDM