John Baron MP welcomes proper recognition for WWII heroes

MP encourages eligible veterans and next of kin to apply

John Baron MP, has welcomed the Government’s announcement that World War II war heroes who served on the Arctic Convoys and in Bomber Command will be eligible to receive new recognition. Families of those who have sadly died will also be able to apply for the new awards in recognition of their loved ones’ bravery. Up to a quarter of a million veterans and families could be eligible for the awards. Production of the new Arctic Star medal and Bomber Command clasp will start this week and living veterans and widows will be the first in line to receive the new awards from as early as March.

Winston Churchill famously singled the Arctic Convoys out as the “most dangerous run of the war” and the men of Bomber Command faced extremely high casualty rates: 55,000 out of 125,000 who served died.

John said:

“This announcement recognises the bravery displayed by those who fought for our freedom in World War Two. I would encourage all eligible veterans and next of kin in Basildon and Billericay to apply for the new awards.”

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Word Count: 199

Date: 28^th February 2013

Notes to Editors

Eligible veterans and next of kin are now encouraged to apply for the new awards. Details and an application form can be found at www.veterans-uk.info or by telephoning 08457 800 900 (local rate).

• On 26 February 2013 Minister of State for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, Mark Francois announced that the production of the new Arctic Star medal and Bomber Command clasp would begin and veterans and their widows could receive them as early as March 2013 (Ministry of Defence Press Release, 26 February 2013, link).

• It was also announced that the families of those who had served on the Bomber Command or on the Arctic Convoys but were no longer alive, would be able to apply for the awards in recognition of their loved ones’ bravery (ibid.).

Eligibility:

• Arctic Star. The qualifying period for the Arctic Star is “service of any length” recognising the particular severity of the conditions experienced by those who served in the Arctic. Whilst the primary intent is to recognise those who served on the Arctic Convoys, eligibility is extended to include all who served north of the Arctic Circle in World War Two. Those eligible will include members of all three Services as well of course as the Merchant Navy who crewed the ships taking the vital supplies to Russia (Veterans.uk, Arctic Star Application Bomber Command Application Eligibility Criteria, link).

• Bomber Command. The criteria for the Bomber Command Clasp requires prior qualification for the 1939 to 1945 Star, to which it will be affixed, with the additional requirement to have flown at least one operational sortie with a Bomber Command operational unit (ibid.).