Enough already! 'Andrew could lose Falklands medal'

The Times, which in fairness has been going hard on every conceivable aspect of the 'Andrew' story, is now suggesting that the former Prince could now be deprived of the South Atlantic Medal awarded to those who served in the 1982 Falklands Campaign.

"Andrew could lose Falklands medal after being stripped of rank
Defence secretary John Healey says he will be guided by King’s decision as former prince may be forced to forfeit award from 1980s conflict"

Most of this saga is none of BAFF's business directly. I would be more than astonished if the former officer in question is a fellow member (although no doubt welcome like anyone else who is serving or has served). Our members will have their own personal views on these events which, so far, seem to have had strangely more dire consequences for Brits than for most of those allegedly involved across the pond.

I know that BAFF strongly supports the protection of young people and of anyone subject to exploitation.

I suspect that John Healey's quote in the Times was simply his cautious reply to a journalist's question.

However, for the avoidance of any doubt whatsoever, my respectful advice both to the Defence Secretary, and to the Palace, is that it would reflect very badly on them both were such a deprivation seriously to be considered.

I suspect that many of the public would agree. However, for once this shouldn't be decided by public opinion.

Gallantry medals and similar awards can be reviewed in very, very exceptional circumstances if a really serious problem with the facts arises later; it has happened. But for a campaign medal such as the 1982 South Atlantic medal, there are almost no legitimate reasons for later deprivation, especially where the alleged later conduct has nothing at all to do with the operational service.

This to me is a fundamental point of principle. If we showed up and did our duty, those of the majority who survived had lives to live after and if we made mistakes in our lives or even commit crimes, that has nothing at all to do with the campaign medal.

King George V - our country's Sovereign duting WW1 - stated that no matter the crime, the Victoria Cross should not be forfeited. He famously added that if a VC winner were sentenced to be hanged for murder, he should still be allowed to wear the medal on the gallows.

That principle seems right to me. It should be clarified right away that there is no question of any current or former member of HM Forces being later deprived of campaign medals for unrelated subsquent conduct, such as the alleged conduct of the retired officer in question.

Douglas Young

The above article was supplied at our request by former BAFF Chairman Douglas Young, following a social media post by him at the 'Army Rumour Service' website.