Medal for BAOR

Was looking on the internet at some information on medals authorised many years after an event by Commonwealth Countries.
1.   Namely a medal authorised on 12th Feb 2010 by the Australia Governor General for those who served in Korea after the armistice of 27th July 1953. It is called the Australian General Service Medal Korea.
2.   Instituted in 1950 by the Republic of Korea, the Korean War Service Medal was offered to all personnel who served in the Korean War, however, the regulations of the day did not permit the acceptance or wearing of this medal by British Commonwealth military personnel. In 2001, the Korean Government again offered the Korean War Service Medal to British Commonwealth forces in recognition of the significant contribution and bravery of the veterans who had fought in the war. The Sovereign subsequently approved the acceptance and unrestricted wearing of the award by eligible New Zealanders.
3.   The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for Korea (French: Médaille canadienne de service volontaire en Corée) was a campaign medal created in 1991 by the Canadian monarch-in-Council to recognize former members of the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, and Royal Canadian Air Force who had volunteered to participate in the Korean War, either on the Korean Peninsula itself or in surrounding areas.[1] It is, within the Canadian system of honours, the second highest of the war and operational service medals.

So, if these countries can authorise medals for theatres of operation long after the events and OK'd by HM The Queen, why can't we do the same for our British servicemen who served out in Korea AFTER the 27th July 1953.
This then leads me on to the BAOR saga, whereby no such award has ever been awarded to service men & women who served in BAOR from the end of hostilities to the present time. Why! Why! Why! What about a Bar to the General Service Medal with clasp 'BAOR'
The government have acted after a long drawn out saga over the Suez Medal and the Artic Convoys Medal. Long overdue and worthy additions.
What about it chaps. Who's for starters ................

A medal for BAOR ?
Come on Jim, with respect, a posting to Germany by the time I got to it, in '59, was eventually considered to be a Home Posting.
I agree entirely with what you say about Korea (and I'm keeping my head down on the subject of all the other nasty little places where our lads were putting there lives on the line).
Yes, our training was rigorous but we had loads of off- duty time too.
Other nation's forces did better financially out of a posting to Germany but we did OK.
Northern Ireland reared its ugly head and took the gilt off the gingerbread somewhat but a bar to our GSM took care of that.
I'm of a generation that laughed at Elvis Presley having medals for passing his Basic Small Arms course. Looking at our blokes on parade nowadays I'm bewildered by the amount of medals spread across the chests of our squaddies but there again, they are involved in wars, American.
All that being said, if a chest full of medals helps to keep these lads from harm, then keep 'em coming.

Well Brum, it's either a medal or LOA. What's wrong with the notion of a medal for service in BAOR. After all said and done, it was a defence against a possible Soviet Attack and we were in league with the US, Canadian, Dutch and Belgium Forces. In other words the UN

Or one for Belize?

FFS you will be wanting a medal for eating ACC food next..

Accumulated Campaign Service Medal

This may be of interest if you did several tours or a two year posting in NI

It is only recently that i heard about that medal..The fact that so many are being awarded now shows just how stretched the army is.I see they have cut almost a year off the qualifying time..

brum wrote:

A medal for BAOR ?
Come on Jim, with respect, a posting to Germany by the time I got to it, in '59, was eventually considered to be a Home Posting.
I agree entirely with what you say about Korea (and I'm keeping my head down on the subject of all the other nasty little places where our lads were putting there lives on the line).
Yes, our training was rigorous but we had loads of off- duty time too.
Other nation's forces did better financially out of a posting to Germany but we did OK.
Northern Ireland reared its ugly head and took the gilt off the gingerbread somewhat but a bar to our GSM took care of that.
I'm of a generation that laughed at Elvis Presley having medals for passing his Basic Small Arms course. Looking at our blokes on parade nowadays I'm bewildered by the amount of medals spread across the chests of our squaddies but there again, they are involved in wars, American.
All that being said, if a chest full of medals helps to keep these lads from harm, then keep 'em coming.

Agree the British Army has done many operations around the world without a campaign medal...can think of two:

Anguilla - Op Sheepskin - 1969 the Royal Signals remained until mid 1970

Jordan - Sep/Oct 70 - Royals Signals and RAMC however a Jordanian Army Medal was presented on departure

Sure there are many more...

Those who served in Hong Kong for six months can Buy a medal also many others medals available on the internet including BAOR

Gordon. wrote:

It is only recently that i heard about that medal..The fact that so many are being awarded now shows just how stretched the army is.I see they have cut almost a year off the qualifying time..

Me too Gordon and only because a Royal Signals mate has received his medal...myself only have 20 months...

Gordon. wrote:

FFS you will be wanting a medal for eating ACC food next..

Not me personally but I think gingerjim would.   

I notice a new medal has become available for private purchase.
Awarded for service in areas occupied by Turkish forces, the medal is called
The Order of the Clenched Sphincter and is presented to anyone who managed to successfully pick up the soap in the shower, in the presence of the enemy.

Another one Shelldrake missed out on?  

Or perhaps he didn't succeed!   

In communal shower situations I normally employ the old "Soap on a rope" trick.  

There is a "Commemorative" BAOR Medal which although not approved by H.M. Government  Veterans can buy and wear. Last November at Alrewas I noticed several of them on people's medal bars.

Bit 'Waltish' if you ask me, but I suppose there's no harm in it.

Here is the British Forces Germany version :

This is how you show your medals
Sergeant Major of the Army, US style :

Should only be worn with other commemorative baubles..

Talking about medals etc., how's this chap doing. Ex-WO2 Keith Payne, Late Australian Infantry.





This is my Hero

Jimsigs

you definately needed a medal for eating acc slops in the emporium aka the cookhouse , plus arf a ton of rennies ,

Warrant Officer Class 2 Keith Payne, VC
Keith Payne.

Date of birth: 30 August 1933
Place of birth: Ingham, QLD
Keith Payne was born at Ingham, Queensland, on 30 August 1933. He attended Ingham State School and later became an apprentice cabinet-maker. Unsatisfied with working as a tradesman, Payne joined the army in August 1951 and was posted to the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in September the following year.

Payne served with his unit in Korea between April 1952 and March 1953. He married Florence Plaw, a member of the Women's Royal Australian Army Corps, in December 1954, was promoted to corporal the following year and returned to operational duties when he joined the 3rd Battalion in February 1960. Payne served in Malaya with this unit and in 1965, now a sergeant, he joined the 5th Battalion. In June 1965, by now a Company Sergeant-Major, Payne was posted as an instructor to the Officer Training Unit at Scheyville, NSW. In February 1967 he joined the 2nd Pacific Islands Regiment in Papua New Guinea and remained there until March 1968 when he returned to Brisbane. On 24 February 1969 he was appointed to the Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam.

In May that year he was commanding the 212th Company of the 1st Mobile Strike Force Battalion when it was attacked by a strong North Vietnamese force. His company was isolated and, surrounded on three sides, Payne's Vietnamese troops began to fall back. Payne, by now wounded in the hands and arms and under heavy fire, covered the withdrawal before organising his troops into a defensive perimeter. He then spent three hours scouring the scene of the day's fight for isolated and wounded soldiers, all the while evading the enemy who kept up regular fire. He found some forty wounded men, brought some in himself and organised the rescue of the others, leading the party back to base through enemy dominated terrain. Years later, asked whether he was afraid, Payne replied, "My God yes, yes, I was."

Payne's actions that night earned him the Victoria Cross. He was evacuated to Brisbane in September suffering from an illness, receiving a warm reception at the airport before entering hospital. In January 1970 Payne was posted to the Royal Military College Duntroon as an instructor.

Payne received his VC from the Queen aboard the Royal Yacht, Britannia, in Brisbane. He was made a Freeman of the city and of the shire in which his hometown was located. A park in Stafford, Brisbane, where Payne lived was also named after him. He received the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star from the United States and the Republic of Vietnam awarded Payne the Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star. He retired from the army in 1975, but saw further action as a captain with the Army of the Sultan of Oman in the Dhofar War.

Payne returned to Australia and became active in the veteran community, particularly in counselling sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder. Payne and his wife raised five sons and are now living at Mackay in Queensland.

Well done Len for the info on Keith Payne. I have the write up as well. What a bloke. Of course Canada, New Zealand & Australia now have their own VC but with very, very slight differences. For instance.
Victoria Cross Canada was introduced in 1991. The  description has changed from  'For Valour' to 'Pro Valore'.

The Victoria Cross for New Zealand was established in 1999. One award has been made in 2007 for an action in 2004.

The Victoria Cross for Australia was created in 1991. Three VCs have been awarded, one in 2009, one in 2011 and the third in 2012.

Here`s another for you Jim,Only £69.95

Gordon,

Ah, the Veteran's Star. Don't think I can afford that one. In any case, I don't consider my self a veteran yet. Anyway, the lapel badge they sent me a while back will suffice.

jimsigs

Gordon. wrote:

Here`s another for you Jim,Only £69.95

Might get one of those to go with my new LS & GC and Artic Convoy medals!