ARCTIC MEDAL

[ORISKANY]

At last!

[sailorbear]

Originally Posted by ORISKANY

At last!

Agreed but nearly 70 years too late! and by far too late to say thank you to the vast majority who have long since passed away!

[Jeff Mc William]

Yes. This, and the "Bomber Command" clasp...so well earned and long overdue.

[REMEVMBEA1]

I'm very much in two minds about this, while not for a moment disputing the bravery of both groups I wonder why for instance the Rats of Tobruk , The Chindits , The Malta garrison or the LRDG and many many people who only received a theatre star don't also get extra recognition. Being honest about it Bomber Command already have the Air Crew Europe medal and the Arctic convoy survivors all qualified for the Atlantic Star . My point is , without taking anything away from those brave men , where does it end?

[David Tremain]

Battle of Britain pilots have a BofB clasp and the 8th Army has one for the Africa Star, so why not?
David

[matti467]

I think clasps would have been a very good idea for both WW1 and WW11. I do agree that some like Frank Richards may have had some very long medal ribbons to fit them all on but it would have been more reflective of their efforts in both conflicts.

[sailorbear]

Originally Posted by REMEVMBEA1

I'm very much in two minds about this, while not for a moment disputing the bravery of both groups I wonder why for instance the Rats of Tobruk , The Chindits , The Malta garrison or the LRDG and many many people who only received a theatre star don't also get extra recognition. Being honest about it Bomber Command already have the Air Crew Europe medal and the Arctic convoy survivors all qualified for the Atlantic Star . My point is , without taking anything away from those brave men , where does it end?

Why should it end? why should'nt people be recognised for their part in specific operations or regions and not just by a generic "theatre" medal? Or should we just say no Afganistan, Iraq, Gulf, Sierra Leone or Falklands medal, just another clasp to a GSM?

[Eddie Parks]

Take a look here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...=feeds-newsxml

At the close of WW2 the King decreed there would be no more campaign medals awarded for WW2 so how can a 2012 government award a medal in his name in direct conflict with his known wishes?

There is also the problem that the medal regulations do not allow the award of more than 5 stars to any one man - so will some have to give up a star to get one?

Much better to allow the convoy seaman to accept the Soviet medal with unrestricted permission to wear. Ahh but of course there's no more Soviet Union. Real bag of worms.

Eddie

[Nozzer]

I wonder how long it will be before "replacements" start appearing on internet auction sites?

[Phillip Herring]

I remember my grandfather telling me years ago that there had been plans for a Russiam Convoy Star. One of his friends, a man named Arthur Lord, was part of a family business that had received a contract to produce the medal ribbon. Apparently when the medal was cancelled, the company was ordered to burn all of the ribbon.

Phil

[barriefield-brian]

I applied and received the Arctic Emblem a few years back for my late Uncle. Will have to apply for this one as well. I also got the Newfoundland Volunteer service medal . Was about to get them mounted but now will wait for this one. Cheers Brian

[mannimal]

I fear it will become more of a collectors item than anything else.

Far too late to really mean anything.

[Unknownsoldier]

I am sorry I do not agree with the issuing of either of these, I don't doubt they were brave but if needed a clasp would have sufficed for both, but as said it was decreed no more stars, but to gain points this government (in a time of austerity) have issued what is technically a "disallowable medal". Not only that as said some men will need to give up a star, or a clasp issued, not only that but where will it stop, will the BEF want a clasp will those who served at Alamein want a Rats clasp... The stars were there, decreed made issued, end of... I just think it's wrong to issue them. Plus they have the arctic star emblem why then issue a medal, will bevin boys want one and the land girls?

I know I'll get flamed but it's my opinion, :/

Tom

[Pylon1357]

Not that my opinion means much at all to anyone but myself.... I am a bit bothered by this latest Star. Not that I don't think those who are entitled to deserve something, however, it is 65 years too late, and in my mind, rather pointless.

The king limited the number of Stars and medals created, now the current government has ignored his ruling and wishes.

I am really mixed about this one. Too many issues are raised in my mind that are going to go unanswered.

[barriefield-brian]

I thought they came up with the Arctic Emblem instead of another medal. Also the Soviet medal was only issued to surviving members, they would not issue to family. Cheers Brian