New General Service Medal….

[bigjarofwasps]

Saw this thought it might be of interest?

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63702931

 

 

Will certainly be interesting to see whether, this medal does in fact have a E11R effigy, or given the fact that it appears to have only just been announced today, whether it’ll be the first C111R medal?

“Downing Street said the first awards will be made next year.” suggests that they haven’t been minted yet?

 

The Royal Mint must certainly be a very busy place at the moment!!

[Megan]

I saw that too... but you beat me to it posting here

New Zeland's equivalent, the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Nuclear Testing) was instituted on 18 March 2002, and in common with other New Zealand Special Service Medals has the national arms on the obverse rather than a sovereign's head.

It will be interesting to see what design they come up with for this one.

[bigjarofwasps]

55 minutes ago, Megan said:

I saw that too... but you beat me to it posting here

New Zeland's equivalent, the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Nuclear Testing) was instituted on 18 March 2002, and in common with other New Zealand Special Service Medals has the national arms on the obverse rather than a sovereign's head.

It will be interesting to see what design they come up with for this one.

😆 sorry about that!!!

 

From what I’m hearing. It appears that there be no new medal. But the first and second GSM’s rather will have this addition clasp added to them, depending on when the recipient qualified for it obviously.

 

Shame really, I was kinda hoping to see the first C111R campaign medal. Talking of C111R medals, still no sign of any LSGC’s…….

 

 

[Zulu_00]

Yes it will probably be GSM clasps to save money. That being said, those guys deserve their own proper medal.

[Megan]

One could argue that their service was not campaign serivce so a clasp on a GSM would be inappropriate. New Zealand created a separate series of 'Special Service Medals' which were awarded to recognise participation in other activities - things like the Boxing Day Tsunami, rescuing an aircraft that crashed in Antarctica, etc., as well as their nuclear test programme - and which are quite distinct from their medals and clasps for campaign service.

[dutch9705]

3 hours ago, Megan said:

One could argue that their service was not campaign serivce so a clasp on a GSM would be inappropriate. New Zealand created a separate series of 'Special Service Medals' which were awarded to recognise participation in other activities - things like the Boxing Day Tsunami, rescuing an aircraft that crashed in Antarctica, etc., as well as their nuclear test programme - and which are quite distinct from their medals and clasps for campaign service.

I was a member of the UK Police DVI (Disaster Victim Identification) Team which was deployed following the Boxing Day Tsunami and apart from a couple of MBE’s or OBE’s awarded to senior officers nothing else was awarded. There had been talk many years ago about a possible Police Overseas Deployment Medal and a Humanitarian / Peacekeeping Service Medal but nothing ever came to fruition. I believe that there have been a number of missed opportunities since to create these medals with the creation of several different medals (e.g. IRSM, Civilian Service Medal (Afghanistan) and the Ebola Medal) when they could have just had one medal with different clasps in relation to Humanitarian service. IMHO.

[bigjarofwasps]

13 hours ago, dutch9705 said:

I was a member of the UK Police DVI (Disaster Victim Identification) Team which was deployed following the Boxing Day Tsunami and apart from a couple of MBE’s or OBE’s awarded to senior officers nothing else was awarded. There had been talk many years ago about a possible Police Overseas Deployment Medal and a Humanitarian / Peacekeeping Service Medal but nothing ever came to fruition. I believe that there have been a number of missed opportunities since to create these medals with the creation of several different medals (e.g. IRSM, Civilian Service Medal (Afghanistan) and the Ebola Medal) when they could have just had one medal with different clasps in relation to Humanitarian service. IMHO.

There has been (and likely will be again) opportunities that this medal would satisfy demand for (Covid response instantly springs to mind), but alias like you have pointed out, nothing has come to the forefront. 

17 hours ago, Megan said:

One could argue that their service was not campaign serivce so a clasp on a GSM would be inappropriate. New Zealand created a separate series of 'Special Service Medals' which were awarded to recognise participation in other activities - things like the Boxing Day Tsunami, rescuing an aircraft that crashed in Antarctica, etc., as well as their nuclear test programme - and which are quite distinct from their medals and clasps for campaign service.

New Zealand has some really nice looking medals. Really do wish the U.K. would follow suite and create new awards to encompass events that have thus far been overlooked. Sadly these things are soon forgotten, by those not personally involved or touched by.

 

The campaign for a National Defence Medal, like you guys have had been rumbling on for years, but never gaining any traction.

[Zulu_00]

https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2022-11-22/debates/F4B07DE6-8235-4393-8DE3-D40A7550BF01/NuclearTestVeteransMedals

 

"The Prime Minister yesterday announced the creation of a new medal, the nuclear test medal, which has been graciously approved by His Majesty the King."

 

Looks like it will be a new medal altogether and not a GSM from the wording of this!

[bigjarofwasps]

On 29/11/2022 at 10:06, Zulu_00 said:

https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2022-11-22/debates/F4B07DE6-8235-4393-8DE3-D40A7550BF01/NuclearTestVeteransMedals

 

"The Prime Minister yesterday announced the creation of a new medal, the nuclear test medal, which has been graciously approved by His Majesty the King."

 

Looks like it will be a new medal altogether and not a GSM from the wording of this!

Certainly does read that way doesn’t it!

 

Also curious “graciously approved by the king”, what do we read into that?
 

King’s effigy?

 

First C111R medal?

 

 

[Zulu_00]

4 hours ago, bigjarofwasps said:

Certainly does read that way doesn’t it!

 

Also curious “graciously approved by the king”, what do we read into that?
 

King’s effigy?

 

First C111R medal?

 

 

 

Graciously approved is a generic term. I wouldn't read into it. Remains to be seen whether it'll be the first CIIIR. It could be like the Korea Medal and have the new monarch, or be like the Arctic Star and have the old monarch (although in that case it was just a cypher). If it is of the Queen it'll be an older effigy. Probably the same as the GSM 1962.

[bigjarofwasps]

On 01/12/2022 at 19:35, Zulu_00 said:

 

Graciously approved is a generic term. I wouldn't read into it. Remains to be seen whether it'll be the first CIIIR. It could be like the Korea Medal and have the new monarch, or be like the Arctic Star and have the old monarch (although in that case it was just a cypher). If it is of the Queen it'll be an older effigy. Probably the same as the GSM 1962.

Looks like this medal will be the first, to bear the King’s effigy. If this report in the Daily Express is accurate…

 

https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1714139/king-charles-nuclear-test-veterans-medal-rishi-sunak-christmas-island-latest-news-ont-1714139?fbclid=IwAR31_XC2BGbkXs3ndWf5ZGy5KrtNGWUolpqkPxwY8LKEyd0R6Or87L5p6LQ

[bigjarofwasps]

Appears that the Nuclear Medal is not to be a medal in the true sense of the word……
 

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advisory-military-sub-committee/advisory-military-sub-committee-recommendations-november-2022

[Zulu_00]

Ebola Medal and Rhodesia Medal sort of format so! Still, better than nothing at all.

[bigjarofwasps]

On 24/01/2023 at 09:43, Zulu_00 said:

Ebola Medal and Rhodesia Medal sort of format so! Still, better than nothing at all.

Thought this might be of interest?

 

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/king-charles-honour-nuclear-test-29070465.amp

[Megan]

Saw this in the most recent copy (Feb 2023) of Soldier magazine:

 

"VETERANS of the UK’s nuclear test programme of the 1950s and 60s have welcomed news that they are to be issued with their own campaign medal.

 

Senior defence officials said they expected to release the full qualifying
criteria for the decoration in the coming weeks. Around 22,000 former British and Commonwealth personnel are expected to be eligible.

Troops and civilians who deployed to areas including Christmas and Malden Islands, as well as Maralinga and Emu  Field, will be among those in line for the award, which can also be presented posthumously to relatives. The move is part of a wider programme to commemorate the nuclear test era.

This year will also see the Office for Veterans Affairs launch a special history project to give those involved a chance to tell their stories.

As reported in this magazine, troops who supported the atom and hydrogen bomb tests in the Pacific and Australia between 1952 and 1967 have long been campaigning for greater recognition.

Many claim to have suffered serious illnesses as a result of the programme.

Doug Hern, who served on Christmas Island during the Op Grapple hydrogen bomb detonations in 1957 and 1958, said he was pleased that a medal was finally being issued.

The former Royal Navy Serviceman and ex-national secretary of the British Nuclear Test Veterans’ Association told Soldier: “Obviously the passage of time has tempered any significant celebration, but this is good news.

“As much as anything, the new decoration is an acknowledgement that those who served on these operations were an active part of the Cold War.

“It is also good to see that the award is part of a wider package focusing on the era, which includes the forthcoming history project for our veterans.”

The new medal was announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a special event at the National Memorial Arboretum marking 70 years since the first test.

The PM told veterans their contribution during a volatile era had helped “preserve peace”.

“This medal is an enduring symbol of our country’s gratitude to every person who played a part and the loved ones
who supported them,” he added.

Ref: FEBRUARY 2023 soldiermagazine.co.uk p.15.

[Nick]

Call me a cynic or perhaps disillusioned if you want. But the problem with the UK, as proven time and time again is that the criteria for awards is governed by archaic rules and process, set by faceless unaccountable individuals who don't want to step away from tradition steeped in class and privilege. Unless you are a celebrity, sports person  or part of the establishment, the criteria that governs who gets what is biased, and restrictive. Time and time again years and years of campaigning is required to get recognition for many individuals who are deserving of some kind of award, and by the time the award is approved, conveniently many of the deserving have already passed away. This has alway been the way, the Military General Service Medal being a case in point. There is certainly no will or desire to recognise anything undertaken within the police or other civilian services, many campaigns for recognition have fallen on deaf ears over the years. Too busy looking after their cronies in the establishment and other undeserving cases. 

[bigjarofwasps]

Saw this on another platform, thought it might be of interest?

 

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2023-02-20.148519.h&s=medal#g148519.q0

 

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

On 01/03/2023 at 09:15, Nick said:

Call me a cynic or perhaps disillusioned if you want. But the problem with the UK, as proven time and time again is that the criteria for awards is governed by archaic rules and process, set by faceless unaccountable individuals who don't want to step away from tradition steeped in class and privilege. Unless you are a celebrity, sports person  or part of the establishment, the criteria that governs who gets what is biased, and restrictive. Time and time again years and years of campaigning is required to get recognition for many individuals who are deserving of some kind of award, and by the time the award is approved, conveniently many of the deserving have already passed away. This has alway been the way, the Military General Service Medal being a case in point. There is certainly no will or desire to recognise anything undertaken within the police or other civilian services, many campaigns for recognition have fallen on deaf ears over the years. Too busy looking after their cronies in the establishment and other undeserving cases. 

Well said!

Edited March 3, 2023 by Dave Wilkinson

[bigjarofwasps]

No design or ribbon has yet surfaced re this new medal, but the criteria certainly makes interesting reading.
 

In particular section 15 ( in relation to the Elizabeth Cross)..

 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1147254/Nuclear_Test_Medal_-_Eligibility_Criteria.docx

 

No order of wear included, in the criteria. But section 15 suggests that it may not in fact be a medal that will be worn alongside other campaign medals, etc?

 

 

[ashley58]

Hhmmm interesting, may be able to claim on behalf of my father (RIP).

 

[Megan]

Soldier magazie (July issue) reoirts that this award will be distrubuted 'by the end of the summer'... the veteran's section of the armed forces website says Autumn 2023 but they are accepting applications now. The form is here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/applying-for-medals

 

It will be called the Nuclear Test Veterans Commemorative Medal. Still no indication of what the thing looks like!

 

[bigjarofwasps]

21 minutes ago, Megan said:

Soldier magazie (July issue) reoirts that this award will be distrubuted 'by the end of the summer'... the veteran's section of the armed forces website says Autumn 2023 but they are accepting applications now. The form is here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/applying-for-medals

 

It will be called the Nuclear Test Veterans Commemorative Medal. Still no indication of what the thing looks like!

 

MOD website, says this.

 

Re the design, the saga re which effigy is to be used, still rumbles on some 10 months after the Queen’s passing.

 

New Border Force LSGC has also been knocked back till early next year for the same reason, I understand. 

[bigjarofwasps]

Apparently, the new clasp Global Operations is now available, on miniature medal anyway.

Unaware of any formal criteria, but a point of note is the continued use of the Queen’s effigy.

[bigjarofwasps]

First examples, have been presented.

https://twitter.com/UKdefUS/status/1681683630249107457

[Graf]

24 minutes ago, bigjarofwasps said:

First examples, have been presented.

https://twitter.com/UKdefUS/status/1681683630249107457

Nice photos