Soldiers miss out on medal worn by Mike
JUNIOR soldiers who took part in parades across London last week have criticised a decision to stop them receiving the Platinum Jubilee commemorative medal.
They are angry they were denied the honour while civil servants, retired officers and non-working members of the Royal Family, such as Mike Tindall, were allowed one.
It followed a decision by a committee of senior colonels in the Royal Household requiring all military personnel across the Army, Navy and Air Force to have five years of service under their belts in order to qualify for the honour.
Civilian members of the Royal Household needed only to have worked for one year, while retired generals, admirals and air chief marshals automatically qualified.
But the rules mean that around 120,000 regular members of the Armed Forces missed out.
Among those on parade was Jim Sanderson’s son, an Irish Guard with three years’ service, who said he and his fellow guards felt “fed up” to be denied the medal while
‘Demoralising for young soldiers’
people like Miketindall, the husband of Princess Anne’s daughter Zara, wore one – gifted to him by the Queen.
The Irish Guards, who boast Princewilliam as honorary colonel, this year presented the colour to the Queen in her birthday parade.
“I don’t think the British Army appreciates how utterly demoralising it was for young soldiers to be slighted in this way,” said Mr Sanderson, a council officer in Somerset.
“Certainly, I could tell my son was completely fed up and from what he said he wasn’t alone.”
He added: “My son and his mates are furious that they have been rejected by a system in which they serve yet does not recognise their commitment.
“It is very disappointing. Every member of the Armed Forces who was serving last week should have been awarded this medal.”
Last night, a government spokesperson said: “The qualifying criteria for Armed Forces personnel and other public servants is consistent with the criteria that was applied for the Golden and Diamond Jubilee. Recipients had to have completed five years’ service by February 6 – the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty’s accession.”