Suffice it to say, Big Lee drew my attention to the fact that the MoD has finally announced the creation of awards to recognise the services both of Bomber Command veterans and those who served on Arctic convoys in World War 2. Specifically, the Bomber Command Clasp is to be worn on the ribbon of the 1939 to 1945 Star, and follows the design of the Battle of Britain Clasp.
And I quote (from the Defence Minister, Mark Francois):
I am and always have been an awestruck admirer of the exploits of the men of Bomber Command. I was given a copy of Paul Brickhill's "Dam Busters" by my grandfather (a Civil Service inspector on ... let's just say a number of wartime projects that he wasn't allowed to talk about) when I can't have been much more than 8, and I've pretty much devoured every single book and documentary I've been able to lay my hands on since. If you're reading this, and any of your family served in Bomber Command during WW2, know that they have my utmost respect and admiration."All those who served our country in Bomber Command and on the Arctic Convoys deserve nothing but the utmost respect and admiration from us."That's why I am delighted that these special individuals will in the next few weeks begin to receive the Bomber Command clasp and Arctic Star that they have so long deserved."I am also pleased to announce that the families of those no longer alive will also be able to apply for these awards in recognition of their loved one's bravery."
My grandfather was a navigator on a Lancaster but he never liked to talk about anything he went through during the war. It wasn't until I was 20 that I found out that he'd been shot down over northern France, lost all but one of his aircrew in the process but made it home and kept on flying. And it wasn't until his funeral that I found out he'd been awarded the DFC. Like I said, he really didn't want to talk about it.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most unassuming men I've ever met, and I really wish he was still around to get the recognition he deserved.
For the veterans of the Arctic Convoys and Bomber Command, their recognition for their bravery and devotion to duty is long over due. Freedom doesn't come cheap and many of them paid the highest price to secure it for future generations.
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