The Veterans Badge
The Veterans Badge
UK Merchant Seafarers Veterans' Badge
The Merchant Seafarers’ bravery and sacrifice in assisting HM Armed Forces in military operations has been formally commemorated with the launch of the new UK Merchant Seafarers Veterans' Badge.
The badge is available to all Merchant Navy seafarers and fishermen who served in a vessel at a time when it was operated to facilitate military operations by UK Armed Forces at any time.
The badge cannot be issued posthumously as it is a survivors’ badge, which is to be worn on civilian clothing. The only exception to this is for Widow(er)s in receipt of a War Widow(er)’s Pension paid by Veterans’ Agency. The deceased must have served prior to and including 31 December 1984 (National Insurance Number must now be provided).
The introduction of this dedicated badge for Merchant Navy seafarers and fishermen means that applications by these individuals for the HM Armed Forces Veterans' Badge will no longer be accepted with effect from 27 June 2006. If an individual already holds an HM Armed Forces Veteran's Badge they may still apply for the UK Merchant Seafarers Vetera’'s Badge.
Members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary who served prior to 31 December 1984 should continue to apply for the HM Armed Forces Veterans' Badge.
New Award for Families
A new national award for the families of Service Personnel who die on operations or as a result of terrorist action whilst on duty has been announced (Tuesday 10th June 2008).
The Federation has always supported the view that families of those merchant seafarers whose death occurred under the same criteria as for the award of the UKMSVB should be recognised. The announcement makes no mention of the Merchant Navy but we will campaign for merchant seafarers including fishermen to be included in the scheme.
The Award is still the subject of consultation and the Federation has submitted its case for inclusion to the MOD. You can make your voice heard too by writing to the Minister for Veterans Affairs, MOD Main Building, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HB, requesting that merchant seafarers be included.
Success in the area of Veterans Awards is confirmation that we can achieve much more for our merchant maritime traditions of service and the importance of the Merchant Navy
The award of the Veterans Badge could not have been achieved without the members' support and we, the Federation of Merchant Mariners, thank you most sincerely. It is no time to rest on our Laurels, indeed we must strive to see that the merchant seafarer continues to be included in all national developements alongside our colleagues in the HM Armed Forces.