Wearing of UK Medals
 

Can I ask please regarding the wearing of medals in the UK.

I have a colleague at work who wears his 10 medal ribbons on his shirt , I do not know if this is right.

Im ex military and would never wear my medals at work on a daily basis , only at a remembrance parade and don't always wear them then.

I dont want to knock the guy down but feel there is a time and a place. makes us all feel a bit un easy .

Would be helpful if I had some constructive knowledge to approach him with,..

Thanks

Ploppy

If you work in Tesco or a Factory then I would also think it strange!!:eek:

If you work in one of the many "Uniformed" services from The Ambulance, Fire, Police to the Coast Guard then it is normal!

Andy

Indeed , just on a blue polo top Im afraid !

10 medals is quite a lot even in recent years! What job do you do? And what age is your colleague?

He's either a very proud veteran or possibly a "W.M."?

Andy

he is genuine , no doubt about that , RGJ , work sainsburys

I supposed it is unusual, but if he's earned them!!

Good luck to him

Best Regards

Andy

Unusual yes, but no law to stop him, earned or not!

Mike,
I think there are laws against wearing medals you have not earned or have been awarded!

Andy

Andy's "WM" comment is probably not far off the mark. 10 ribbons is a big haul.... even in the last 10 years? If you earnt 10...... then I am not sure you would be the kind of bloke to wear them on a Sainbury's polo shirt?

1. http://www.arrse.co.uk/community/ Could send a pic of his shirt to them for their ideas / views.
2. A Manual for the Wearing of Orders, Decorations and Medals. Spink. 2005. ISBN 1-902040-60-0. by Andrew Hanham Section 10.5 says 'medal ribbons alone are worn on non ceremonial occasions with the Nos. 1,2,3, 4 and 6 Dress and the Frock coat..' Book has some notes on Uniformed Public Services, Municipal, Clerical, Academic Robes.
3.Dress Regulations for the RN, the Army and the RAF.

Its a matter for Sainsbury's management, not I would suggest, a co-worker. If Sainsbury's are happy then I don't see what the problem is. As to whether he is entitled to wear them, well that's another matter. That said, you will be hard put to find the CPS, let alone the police being in the slightest bit interested in dealing with such an issue. Watching the last London street marchpast in Whitehall, it seems that there are quite a few such individuals about. Nobody seems that bothered.

Dave.

Or, indeed, actually be working at Sainbury's in the first place!:D

Where?

In the UK - It used to be illegal under the Army Act 1955 to pretend to be a member of the armed forces or to wear medals you were not entitled to. This act was superseded by the Armed Forces Act 2006 and the section was not repeated (in error?) and ceased to be law when the Army Act was repealed (along with the corresponding Navy & Air Force Acts)

In 2009 a veteran was convicted of 'unlawfully using decorations' under Section (1) (b) the Army Act 1955 - This conviction was rare in itself to say the least!

But the Act was repealed by the Armed Forces Act 2006 11 days before he joined hundreds of real war veterans on November 11 making the act obsolete, and his conviction was overturned.

So unless it has been amended, my comment stands.

Ten medals isn't very rare actually. However I don't really care if he earned them are they were self awarded, why on earth is he wearing them day in day out? If he isn't a serious attention seeking tube then he is seriously mentally ill. Either way wearing them on a supermarket uniform is bad form.

Just trying to add up.... NI(GS), IRAQ 1, BOS(UN), IRAQ 2, AFGHAN, Jubilee..... what else could you add to the list in the last 30 years? He was a member of the Black Mafia by all accounts......