Well, what to write about? I don't want this to turn into a blog - an online journal. But I thought that if I were to write about topics related to the medal and/or ribbon industry that were burning in my own head. If you have a topic that you'd like to suggest, EMAIL ME.

So... what's on my mind? How about the fight to get British Veterans of the Suez Canal Emergency in from 1951 to 1954 recognition in the form of a medal?

For a little background - first, between the Second World War and the Falkland's War, there were no official British war medals issued, even though British Forces were engaged in conflict around the world. Recognition, for these gallant sailors, soldiers and airmen came in the form of bars to General Service Medals. For the Veterans of the Suez Emergency, there wasn't even a bar.

200,000 servicemen went over to Egypt in order to protect the Canal - they fought guerilla forces who objected to British control of the area. Over 300 men paid the ultimate sacrifice... and yet, the British government of the time decided that the men weren't on 'active service' - a political move that has had ramifications over the last five decades.

As far as I'm concerned, the recent decision (June of this year) by the British House of Commons to issue a clasp to the Naval General Service Medal 1915-62 and the General Service Medal 1918-62, while fifty years too late, is a great one. Apparently, the bar is "Canal Zone".

For quite of a few of the soldiers this will be their first and only medal, having only served a few years and not long enough to qualify for other bars or long service medals. (National Servicemen) For others, it'll be one of many to add to the Second World War and Korea gongs. Either way, it doesn't matter - the fact that their service is finally being recognized in this manner is very important.

I'm sure there are still a lot of kinks to be worked out, terms of reference for service - where, when and the rest of it... but the sooner the better - last week's remembrance day highlighted the fact to me that our veterans of the mid-20th century's wars are already into their seventies. Numbers are dwindling, and will obviously continue to do so. Allowing these old men, who were, for the most part, in their late teens and early twenties whilst they fought, to wear their richly-deserved medals on parade can only be small solace, I'm sure.

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? CONCERNS? EMAIL ME