Words from Westminster - Recognising and Commemorating our Armed Forces
April 5, 2007 10:01 AM
The beginning of April marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Falklands War. On the 2nd April 1982 Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, initiating a conflict that would last just over seventy days.
During the course of the fighting we lost 255 British servicemen - many of which were sailors who lost their lives through attacks on their ships. The toll on the Argentinean side was even greater and neared 655.
Over the course of the next few months there will be many events in commemoration of the losses on both sides and of the brave efforts of those who fought - both here in Westminster and across the country.
Such events should never go unnoticed and remembering the tireless efforts of our armed forces should not be limited solely to commemorative anniversaries.
As our troops continue to fight in two of the most complex conflicts of the present day I recognise and pay tribute to our Armed Forces.
In particular, I want to focus attention on veterans and former service personnel. Our veterans and their past experiences and achievements should never be forgotten with the passing of time and there is an issue which may affect many veterans across Devon.
In January, the Ministry of Defence reported that around five million veterans are eligible for a veteran's badge, and so far they have been awarded to around 328,000 veterans and 3,000 merchant seamen.
However, there remains on average 7,300 unclaimed badges in every parliamentary constituency. I believe that many men and women in our region may qualify for their veteran's badge but are perhaps unaware that they are either entitled or eligible.
So my purpose in writing this week's column is to bring attention to a wider campaign to encourage former service personnel to claim their badge.
Those eligible for service badges are those who served in the Armed Forces before 31st December 1969 including: veterans of the Suez Canal Zone 1951-1954; war widows or widowers who receive a War Widow's or Widower's Pension; members of the Polish Forces under British command and members of the Cyprus Regiment during the Second World War; Merchant Navy seamen and members of the Home Guard.
May I take this opportunity to urge those who believe they may be eligible for a service badge, or are unsure, to come forward to claim them. You have certainly earned it.
NOTE: For further details and application forms please contact Nick Harvey's Office in Westminster or his Constituency Office in Barnstaple.
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