Artic Convoy And Bomber Command Honoured.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/366096/Finally-war-heroes-get-the-honour-they-richly-deserve

Two more richly deserved honours given out, is it now time for National Service Men to be given theirs?

[Zeuhl]

//is it now time for National Service Men to be given theirs? //

Shouldn't it be based on 'campaigns'?

Isn't there a difference between National Servicemen who saw active service in Malaya for example, and those who were bored to death in West Germany?

BTW the Arctic Convoy merchant marine are a case in point and justly deserved

[jno]

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1199009.html

I'm inclined to agree with Zeuhl that medals (etc) should be for what you actually did.

[sp1814]

AOG

It depends doesn't it? If you were conscripted to the NS, and fought for your country, then yes - this should be recognised.

However, if you were called up, and didn't actually fight, then surely you were just passively accepting your service duties? Why would that deserve special recognition?

I'm not saying it shouldn't - I just question whether non-voluntary service should be recognised.

I'll give you an analogy:

If my employers implemented a mandatory deduction of £10 per month from my salary to give to charity, then I am passively donating that money, and therefore am not deserving of praise. However, if I elect to give £10 independently, then I am actively being charitable.

That's how I see National Service. If you're called up to do it, then you've passively accepted duty, as opposed to someone who goes down to the army recruiting office and signs up.

[bookbinder]

I did my National Service in the infantry between 1960 and 1962. I saw no active service, and I certainly do not think that I deserve a medal for simply doing what I was ordered to do. It is possible for ex-National Servicemen to buy a National Service medal, but I won't be wearing one of those. Anyone who was conscripted, and found themselves being shot at by someone who was determined to kill them, has a good case for being awarded a medal, in my opinion.

[emmie]

about time too.

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

/// It depends doesn't it? If you were conscripted to the NS, and fought for your country, then yes - this should be recognised. ///

/// That's how I see National Service. If you're called up to do it, then you've passively accepted duty, as opposed to someone who goes down to the army recruiting office and signs up. ///

Being conscripted meant you were called up, just the same as during WW2 men of a certain age were called up (conscripted).

All were expected to fight along with the regular armed forces, as they did in Palestine, Cyprus, Korea, Suez, Malaya, Borneo, one did not have any other option.

[anotheoldgit]

Should the woman's Land army have received a medal?

Which they recently did.

[emmie]

of course they should. Not sure why so many get left out, especially the women, they may not have fought in the war as such, but they certainly kept the factories going, and worked hard on the land. Not to mention those very brave women who piloted the planes to the bases for the RAF.

[Zeuhl]

/All were expected to fight along with the regular armed forces,/

But not all did

That is the relevant point surely; medals for those who saw active service (as NS or Regulars) but not necessarily all NS just for having to do NS