No medals from Russia

[FredPuli43]

Men who were on the World War Two convoys taking supplies to Russia have been told they cannot receive medals from the Russian government. The Foreign Office says they cannot receive medals from a foreign power when the action concerned took place more than five years ago [from a BBC East local news bulletin tonight]

Any comment? It seems very petty of the government, but what is the authority for this Foreign Office rule? And what power has our government got, in practice, to prevent the medals being received? They might object to George Blake getting a medal, though they couldn't stop it, but one for our loyal men who are being honoured by an ally of the time seems to be unexceptionable.

[baza]

if we had to pay for the medals then I could understand our poor government declining, but as the russians are giving them that it is a bloody insult to the brave men on those convoys. How many to99ers in the FO know where their rear ends are let alone where russia is.

[sandyRoe]

My father served as a radio operator on some of those convoys. It was a very long time ago. Would there be many old mariners left now to receive their gongs?

[baza]

sandy, even if there's only one left he deserves the recognition.

[plautus]

Sounds like a typical brief from Cameron. Still, he now has less than half the life time of parliament to go before he and his party sink into oblivion for their great betrayal, unless, of course, the true Tories oust him before that comes to pass. Watch this space!

[glasman]

Seems that the foreign soldiers are getting better treatment from Russia now than was afforded by Stalin to his own soldiers back then.

[FredPuli43]

Some 200 men who served on the convoys are still alive and would receive the medal, Sandy [from the same source]

[ABerrant]

http://epetitions.dir...ov.uk/petitions/40873

[sandyRoe]

Then they should. They earned them.

[SeaJayPea]

Even more reason to allow it, Sandy.

Couldn't agree more woith your assessment of the F.O. Baza. Quite a lot of the world's turmoil can be laid at the door of that particular organisation. I give you Israel/Palestine and a considerable part of Africa as examples.

[baza]

I think I read somewhere that other nationals that served on these convoys have been given medals , so what the hell is our governments problem?

[naomi24]

That's potty!

[vulcan]

Just when I think this government can't get any lower they delight in proving me wrong. What an absolute disgrace they are to this country and to the proud men that marched at the Cenotaph last Sunday. I am cynical enough to believe they, the government, are waiting for these men to die, as they are the nuclear veterans, so that the problems these men represent will disappear.

[douglas9401]

".....so what the hell is our governments problem?"

They would have to foot the bill for a reception? There's an austerity drive on (for the plebs anyway) donchaknow.
I'm sure it's not beyond the wit of the Russians to arrange a wee do themselves and show our lot up for what they are and what they really stand for.

[baza]

you would think that a reception for a couple of hundred men would be a lot cheaper than the credit card bill that was abused by that pig farmer who only did 9 weeks of a 9 month sentance.

[FredPuli43]

Agree, Douglas. What is to stop the medals being sent in the diplomatic bag from Moscow and the Russian ambassador inviting the 200 to the Russian Embassy so he can pin the medals on (kissing of cheeks optional)? As a dplomatic incident, that would hardly register, if it was one at all.

I am at a loss to discover what law is broken by going against the fatuous rule or protocol pronounced by the Foreign Office (none, apparently). It would take a lot of defending once the papers and the general public became aware of it, and or boys in the FO are supposed to be skilled at avoiding both undiplomatic behaviour and anything which lowers Britain in the estimation of the world.

[jno]

they were thinking about reviewing the situation

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...h-east-wales-20158436

have they now done so?

[FredPuli43]

They hadn't reviewed the situation as of last night, when BBC East gave their report, jno. And asking for a review of the whole situation sounds like 'Thanks, we'll take this momentary heat off by pretending we're doing something'.There is nothing to stop the Prime Minister himself ordering a change in the practice in this instance, or generally, right now. It wouldn't even need so much as an Order in Council. It's well within his powers without.

[ABerrant]

The House of Commons has been in recess since the 13th of November (and returns today 19th) so nothing could have been done since the question was asked in the Lords on their last day (14th Nov)

http://www.publicatio...01.htm#12111440000132

[anotheoldgit]

This is old news 13 October 2012

http://www.dailymail....-War-II-campaign.html

The veterans have already been honoured by their own country, with this commemorative medal for British Veterans of the Second World War Arctic Convoy.

http://i.dailymail.co...00258-880_306x423.jpg

Which is more than can be said for all those conscripted into National Service during the period 1945 to 1963.

It would seem by this story, that they already have a Russian medal.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...ies/14/a6186314.shtml

But having said all that, no amount of medals can show proper honour for the heroism of these brave Merchant Navy personnel, who had to endure horrific conditions sailing in dangerous icy waters, so as to get aid to Russia.