Nanette Milne, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East has welcomed the news that veterans who served on Arctic convoys and in Bomber Command during World War II are to be recognised for their bravery and service with a new medal and award.
The North East MSP had raised the issue with UK Ministers and backed calls by the Bomber Command Association’s campaign for a proper memorial to recognise the brave men of the Arctic convoys and Bomber Command during World War II.
More than 60 years after the end of the Second World War, there is a growing call for a special campaign medal for Bomber Command: for the 30,000 pilots and aircrew. During the course of the war, 125,000 aircrew of Bomber Command carried out a total of 366,514 sorties. Of these, 297,663 were by night. During these sustained operations, 55,573 pilots and crew were killed.
Nanette Milne, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East said:
“The announcement by the UK Government that veterans who served on Arctic convoys and in Bomber Command during World War II are to be recognised for their bravery and service with a new medal and award is very welcome and goes some way to recognise the sacrifice made by those who served on Arctic convoys and in Bomber Command during World War II.
“For generations our Armed Forces have served our country across the world in many roles from war fighting, peacekeeping and reconstruction to home defence. In so doing, they have defended our country, our way of life and our cherished values. A large number of our veterans are young and active and now use the skills, the discipline and the leadership they learned in the Armed Forces to benefit their civilian employers and the wider community.
“The entitlement to the Veterans’ Badge was recently extended so that men and women who enlisted in HM Armed Forces between 3 September 1945 and 31 December 1984 are now entitled to the badge.
“If anyone thinks they or someone they know may be eligible for the Veterans’ Badge or the new Arctic convoys and Bomber Command new medal and award, I would encourage them to contact the Service Personnel and Veterans’ Agency on 0800 169 2277 who will be able to further assist with applications or alternatively contact me office on 0131 348 5884 and I will be happy to assist.”