Veterans Day UK

Veterans Day UK 2007

Wednesday 27th June 2007

Wednesday 27th June has been designated as Veterans day in the UK. Major cities in the UK will be holding events in honour of armed forces and certain civilian services who have over the years contributed to war effort and national security, many of whom will not in the past have been eligible for a Campaign Medal.

Who is Eligible

Men and women who Served in HM Armed Forces before and/or during World War II are entitled to a Veterans Badge. You can also apply if you Served in the Merchant Navy during Military Operations. There are some other groups who Served during World War II who are included, these are:

• Cyprus Regiment 
• Home Guard 
• Polish Forces under UK Command 

Service after World War II
Men and Women who enlisted in HM Armed Forces between 3 September 1945 and 31 December 1994 are entitled to a Veterans Badge. There is no qualifying length of Service.
 
Posthumous requests
It is regrettable that the badge cannot be issued posthumously. The badge is a survivors' badge, which is to be worn on civilian attire.
 
The only exceptions are War Widows and Widowers who are in receipt of a War Widows/Widowers Pension paid by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency.

It is not very often that the UK Government recognises and rewards contributions to national emergencies and wars with awards. In fact it has been said many times that a medal or award in the UK is hardest to win, harder than any other country in the world; so if you are eligible you should apply.
 
Even during World War One and Two not everyone who took part could be at the front fighting and eligible for campaign medals. Many hundreds and thousands of men and women who served made sure that those at the front could do their job and without the support of these men and women those at the front fighting could not have achieved what they did.
 
Up until now it is only the men and women who served on the front line that have been recognised with campaign medals, but now the Veterans Lapel Badge goes some way to re-dress that inequity.
 
Click on this link to apply for your badge.