Arctic Medals

[DaisyNonna]

As usual by governments, too little too late.

[tonyav]

How do you qualify for one, Daisy.

[factor-fiction]

Should I know what you mean? Your posts are cryptic tonight. I'll need to search on Google to work out what you're referring to

[tonyav]

Yes Factor, Daisy is being very cryptic.

[Mick-Talbot]

If the government won't give us one ....the Ab Editor will....

[factor-fiction]

^ even if we haven't been north of Birmingham

[DaisyNonna]

No I am not. It has been agreed that the arctic convoy personnel in the second world war will now get medals. Mainly Merchant Marine. Unfortunately not many left alive, late eighty year olds and ninety year olds.

[tonyav]

You must have eaten some Arctic Roll at sometime in your life though, factor.

[tonyav]

Agree'd Daisy, much to late.

[Prudie]

I don't doubt they deserve it but is there a concern that everyone in the war will be due a medal thus diluting their value (bit like AB badges really)?

[dotty.]

what about those that never came back from the convoys and died in the freezing waters or were shot in the water? will they get medals too?

[dotty.]

all the services received a medal for their combat record, the convoys were not serving they were crewing civilian ships and so did not qualify for a military medal

[tonyav]

I would like to think that they will dot.

[DaisyNonna]

No Prudie, these men undertook great hardship and personal danger. Many died horribly. Their importance to the war effort should have been acknowledged before now.

[tonyav]

Very very dangerous missions, Prudie.

[Prudie]

Until today I knew nothing about it so can't argue with your sentiments. It's just there must have been a reason for excluding them previously.

[dotty.]

they weren't excluded they did not qualify as they were already serving in the merchant navy and so they were essential for supply shipping, but their contribution really only came to light after the war when it could be revealed without risk of giving away vital information.

[dotty.]

the convoys were massive and many lost their lives
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_convoys_of_World_War_II

I've always know about them, can't remember a time when i was not aware of them,