Feedback: Let them have medals

TONY Morland's letter, on behalf of the campaign for a National Defence Medal ("Soapbox: Overhaul our out-of-date system for awarding medals", Open Line, September 5), exposes the gross injustice by this government towards those both willing and called upon to defend the freedoms which they and everyone else enjoys.

While other Commonwealth countries are now striking medals for their brave and dedicated soldiers, sailors and airmen in recognition of their service and for the sacrifices that they have made, the UK clings to an antiquated honours and awards system instituted in the 1800s, which it claims "is held in the highest regard around the world". It is strange that being a system held in such high regard, other nations such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand have opted out of it.

While our monarch has approved a wider range of medals and authorising the wearing of foreign awards such as the PJM (Pingat Jasa Malaysia) medal for other Commonwealth veterans and serving soldiers, their British counterparts here in the UK are denied the same rights and privileges.

Our own military services are already severely overstretched and lack sufficient resources and materials, while also experiencing difficulties in both recruiting and retaining personnel.

This current government has failed its covenant with the armed services and is creating a nation where our military and its veterans are denied public respect, and where, in some cases they are seen as an embarrassment.

We see reports that our war wounded are ushered in through back doors of hospital for treatment so as not to cause offence, war memorials are defaced, and older veterans are denied essential care. All the while our leaders laud themselves and award each other medals and honours for their services during times such as the "Cold War", while denying British troops the same recognition.

However, there is growing support among many MPs to providing greater honours and awards to military personnel and veterans.

But Des Browne MP (Labour), Secretary of State for Defence, says: "The British government is under no obligation. There are no plans to introduce a new National Defence Medal. There is nothing further to be gained by continuing this correspondence."

The British Cold War Veterans group has given its full backing and support to Tony Morland and his campaign.

A Davies, Kingswood, Bristol. British Cold War Veterans, www. britishcoldwarveterans.co.uk