The contribution of all those who served in Bomber Command, and the major contribution that Bomber Command made to the Allied victory in the Second World War in the face of significant losses, remains appreciated by the Government. Following the independent Medal Review in 2012 by Sir John Holmes, a Bomber Command Clasp to the 1939-45 Star was introduced for aircrew who served in Bomber Command. The Department has no plans to recommend that a review into a new campaign medal for Service in Bomber Command be undertaken.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4600", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Leo Docherty"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Aldershot"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Leo Docherty"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-03-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-03-28T11:49:20.33Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-03-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "World War II: Military Decorations"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Government plans to mark the service of the 125,000 Bomber Command volunteers during the Second World War with a dedicated campaign medal for their service.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/350", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Hayes"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Holland and The Deepings"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir John Hayes"} ], "uin" : "144831"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1366949", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1366949/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I understand the desire of Sgt Vernon's son to retrieve the medals which are no longer in his family's possession. This service family are rightly proud of Sergeant Vernon and his medals are an important recognition of his distinguished service.<\/p>
The National Army Museum is a Royal Chartered body and a Registered Charity that follows strict UK Accreditation standards when considering disposals from their permanent collection. It is the responsibility of the museum's Council to make a decision in this matter while ensuring that all rules and standards applicable to requests such as this are adhered to.<\/p>
MOD officials have advised me that the Museum have responded to the hon. Member's letter to them about this case. The matter remains open and I have asked the Museum to expedite their handling of Mr Vernon's claim, that had been impacted by reduced staffing during the pandemic.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4600", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Leo Docherty"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Aldershot"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Leo Docherty"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-11-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-11-16T09:42:54.233Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-11-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "World War II: Military Decorations"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to return the (a) Distinguished Conduct Medal and (b) campaign medals awarded in WWII to Sergeant Sidney Morton Vernon to his son, which have been traced to the National Army Museum following a home burglary in 1961.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4471", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachael Maskell"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "York Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rachael Maskell"} ], "uin" : "71377"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1144284", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1144284/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We have enormous admiration and respect for the unique contribution and sacrifice made by Bomber Command aircrew which has been recognised in various ways. Bomber Command aircrew serving after 5 June 1944 (the end date for award of the Air Crew Europe Star) were given recognition for their service in the form of the France and Germany Star.<\/p>
Subsequently, in his independent Medals Review in 2012, Sir John Holmes concluded that Bomber Command had been treated inconsistently with those who served in Fighter Command, and his recommendation of the award of the clasp to Bomber Command air crew was to bring this Command into line with Fighter Command veterans who were awarded a Battle of Britain clasp to the 1939-45 Star, thus reflecting the significant contribution both made to defeating the Nazi threat.<\/p>
In light of the above, we have no plans to revisit the issue of Medallic recognition for Bomber Command veterans, further to the findings of Sir John Holmes' review. It is a matter for the Advisory Military Sub Committee (AMSC) of the Committee on the Grants of Honours, Decorations and Medals, to whom a case regarding Bomber Command has been submitted, to determine whether they will give the issue further consideration.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1544", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Milton Keynes North"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Lancaster"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-09T15:04:41.46Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "World War II: Military Decorations"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, in advance of the 75th anniversary of VE Day, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending the Air Crew Europe Star, in line with the Atlantic Star, to ensure that Bomber Command aircrew who have not received either a 1939-45 Star, nor a Bomber Command clasp, get recognition for their sacrifice and service during World War II.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kevin Hollinrake"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Thirsk and Malton"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Kevin Hollinrake"} ], "uin" : "286297"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/983288", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/983288/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Arctic Star was instituted by Her Majesty's Government in 2012. Since this time 18,756 have been issued. A breakdown of the countries in which the recipients resided can be found below:<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
Australia<\/p><\/td> | 487<\/p><\/td> | Malaysia<\/p><\/td> | 1<\/p><\/td><\/tr> |
Austria<\/p><\/td> | 2<\/p><\/td> | Malta<\/p><\/td> | 14<\/p><\/td><\/tr> |
Bahamas<\/p><\/td> | 1<\/p><\/td> | New Zealand<\/p><\/td> | 170<\/p><\/td><\/tr> |
Belgium<\/p><\/td> | 9<\/p><\/td> | Norway<\/p><\/td> | 2<\/p><\/td><\/tr> |
Bermuda<\/p><\/td> | 3<\/p><\/td> | Poland<\/p><\/td> | 1<\/p><\/td><\/tr> |
Canada<\/p><\/td> | 444<\/p><\/td> | Portugal<\/p><\/td> | 4<\/p><\/td><\/tr> |
Cayman Islands<\/p><\/td> | 2<\/p><\/td> | Republic of Ireland<\/p><\/td> | 41<\/p><\/td><\/tr> |
Channel Islands<\/p><\/td> | 42<\/p><\/td> | Singapore<\/p><\/td> | 1<\/p><\/td><\/tr> |
Cyprus<\/p><\/td> | 8<\/p><\/td> | South Africa<\/p><\/td> | 25<\/p><\/td><\/tr> |
Denmark<\/p><\/td> | 2<\/p><\/td> | Spain<\/p><\/td> | 34<\/p><\/td><\/tr> |
France<\/p><\/td> | 53<\/p><\/td> | Sweden<\/p><\/td> | 4<\/p><\/td><\/tr> |
Germany<\/p><\/td> | 4<\/p><\/td> | Switzerland<\/p><\/td> | 6<\/p><\/td><\/tr> |
Hong Kong<\/p><\/td> | 1<\/p><\/td> | Thailand<\/p><\/td> | 2<\/p><\/td><\/tr> |
Isle of Man<\/p><\/td> | 38<\/p><\/td> | The Netherlands<\/p><\/td> | 9<\/p><\/td><\/tr> |
Italy<\/p><\/td> | 3<\/p><\/td> | UK<\/p><\/td> | 17,259<\/p><\/td><\/tr> |
Luxembourg<\/p><\/td> | 1<\/p><\/td> | USA<\/p><\/td> | 82<\/p><\/td><\/tr> |
Zimbabwe<\/p><\/td> | 1<\/p><\/td> | <\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1544", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Milton Keynes North"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Lancaster"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-10-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-16T14:15:02.877Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "World War II: Military Decorations"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Arctic Stars his Department has awarded since the medal was struck in 2010; and in which country each recipient resided.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4458", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Conor McGinn"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "St Helens North"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Conor McGinn"} ], "uin" : "176391"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/754574", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/754574/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " As at 25 July 2017, a total of 26,697 Arctic Stars and 13,905 Bomber Command clasps have been issued to eligible veterans and their next of kin.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1544", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Milton Keynes North"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Lancaster"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-09-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-09-05T15:05:37.443Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "World War II: Military Decorations"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) Arctic Stars and (b) Bomber Command clasps have been issued to date.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4656", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Layla Moran"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Oxford West and Abingdon"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Layla Moran"} ], "uin" : "6607"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/754575", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/754575/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " There is widespread admiration for the major contribution that the personnel of Bomber Command made to the Allied victory in the Second World War and their commitment in the face of significant losses.<\/p> Those who completed the minimum qualifying period of service in operational areas were eligible for the 1939-45 Star and those with long service in non-operational areas received the Defence Medal. In addition to the 1939-45 Star and Defence Medal, a series of Campaign Stars were created for participants in campaigns and many Bomber Command aircrew were awarded the much-prized Air Crew Europe Star or the France and Germany Star.<\/p> In his independent Medals Review in 2012, Sir John Holmes concluded that Bomber Command had been treated inconsistently with those who served in Fighter Command, and his recommendation of the award of the clasp to Bomber Command air crew is to bring this Command into line with Fighter Command veterans who were awarded a Battle of Britain clasp to the 1939-45 Star and thus reflecting the significant contribution both made to defeating the Nazi threat. The Government has accepted the recommendations of that review.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1544", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Milton Keynes North"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Lancaster"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-09-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-09-05T15:00:45.593Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "World War II: Military Decorations"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps for the issuing of a full medal for Bomber Command veterans.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4656", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Layla Moran"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Oxford West and Abingdon"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Layla Moran"} ], "uin" : "6581"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/712077", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/712077/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Arctic Emblem (AE) was commissioned in 2006 to recognise the service of Armed Forces veterans who served in the Arctic Region between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945. The Arctic Star was instituted in 2012 following the first part of Sir John Holmes\u2019 independent review into the rules and principles governing the award of military campaign medals. The Arctic Star adopted the AE\u2019s criteria.<\/p> <\/p> The two awards have a different evidential basis for eligibility which reflects their differing status. Although an official award instituted by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the AE was never intended to have the status of an official medal; greater latitude in assessing applications was deemed acceptable and a greater reliance placed on the accuracy of veterans\u2019 or their next of kin\u2019s accounts or recollections. Once the Arctic Star had been formally instituted as an official British Military Medal, applications were necessarily assessed by the MOD Medal Office with the same degree of rigour as is, and always has been, applied to the other World War II Stars and Medals.<\/p> To be eligible to receive the Arctic Star, there must be official military evidence of at least one day's crossing into the Arctic Circle 66° 32N of the equator during the period 3 September 1939 to 8 May 1945 inclusive.<\/p> The following sources constitute official military evidence:<\/p> The general principle of 'double medalling' remains extant. The issue of a medal for those who served on Arctic Convoys was looked at by Sir John Holmes in his Review of Military Medals, which was conducted independently of the Ministry of Defence. Sir John's recommendation was that an award (the Arctic Star) would be appropriate and this was agreed by the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals and Her Majesty The Queen. Sir John felt that the Arctic Convoy operation was a separate and distinct campaign, geographically and in every other way, from what was happening in the Atlantic, and should have been considered in that light. As it would be impractical and unfair to withdraw the Atlantic Star from those awarded the Arctic Star, it is considered that double medalling has not occurred in this case.<\/p> While not diminishing the hardships and hazards of the Atlantic Convoys, the Arctic Convoys were subjected to uniquely appalling weather conditions and such an intensity of enemy air and sea attacks that they merited separate recognition from service in the Atlantic and it was therefore felt that this was an exceptional case.<\/p> With regards to double medalling and the Ushakov Medal, Her Majesty's Government have always been appreciative of the Russian Government's wish to honour these brave men. A recommendation was therefore made by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to exceptionally allow the Ushakov Medal to be accepted and worn. President Putin presented the first medals during his visit to London on 16 June 2013.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1542", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Philip Dunne"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ludlow"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Philip Dunne"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-09-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-09-22T15:13:39.66Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-09-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "World War II: Military Decorations"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 January 2015 to Question 219983, whether arrangements for the award of the Arctic Star medal indicate that the presumption against double-medalling set out in that Answer is no longer in force.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3957", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Martin Vickers"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cleethorpes"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Martin Vickers"}
], "uin" : "10129"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/90990", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/90990/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " As at 31 August 2014, the Ministry of Defence Medal Office has issued 4,420 Arctic Star awards to former Service personnel.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3938", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Anna Soubry"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Broxtowe"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Anna Soubry"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-13T16:49:34.727145Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-09-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "World War II: Military Decorations"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many former service personnel have received the Arctic Star medal.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4105", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Justin Tomlinson"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Swindon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Justin Tomlinson"}
], "uin" : "208544"}
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|