SEAFARER VETERANS COMMEMORATED
January 5, 2007 3:31 PM
The Merchant Navy Association and Merchant Mariners are commemorating merchant seamen and fishermen who supported military operations up until 1969 with a veterans badge which they started issuing last October.
Nick Harvey says: 'I would like to highlight for all those in North Devon who served in the Merchant Navy and fishermen involved in military activities that they are being honoured by a new veterans badge covering service up until 31 December 1969. Former members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary remain eligible for the UK Armed Forces Veterans' Badge issued in 2004. If a seafarer holds one of the latter he may still apply for the Merchant Seafarers badge. Neither is issued posthumously as they are survivors badges intended to be worn on civilian clothing. The only exceptions are widows or widowers who receive the War Widows/Widowers Pension.
'The MoD has ordered an initial batch of 10,000 seafarers badges and the Merchant Navy Association say that the uptake to date has been very good with applications from as far a field as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States.'
The new UK Merchant Seafarers Veterans' Badge is available from both the Merchant Navy Association, 9 Saxon Way, Caistor, Market Rasen, LN7 6SG, at mna.national@virgin.net or 01472 851130 and the Merchant Mariners, 16 Glebe, Road, Brampton, Huntingdon, PE28 4PH, info@merchant-mariners.co.uk or 01480 412958.
'The UK Armed Forces Veterans' badge also covering up until 1969 is issued by the Veterans Agency which aims eventually to include everyone who served in HM Armed Forces. To date the uptake has been phenomenal with 359,500 badges having been issued.'
Veterans can apply for this badge by e-mailing help@veteransagency.gsi.gov.uk or telephoning 01253 330561.
Nick Harvey concludes: 'I hold application forms for both badges at my constituency office at 23 Castle Street. I think these schemes are very worth while and veterans of all generations are entitled to wear these badges with well earned pride. I would urge anyone not aware of these schemes to apply.'
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