Medal matters
( 5 items )
Medal Matters
28 October 2007
Received from Jim Blackburn - Email jimblackburn@clear.net.nz
Information has just been received that all ex-RNZN personnel who
served in HMNZS Royalist during the period 9 October 1957 and 31
November 1957 and WHO APPLY can be issued with the New Zealand General
Service Medal with the Clasp (Korea 1954-57)
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Email received from member Stan Foster 15 Feb 06
Bill
Long time since I was in touch. Hope this finds you well.
Was just browsing the RNZNA web site and am impressed with the new format.
Real easy for us ex comms to follow.
On medal matters, just recently I returned to Wanganui for a short holiday (turned out less than 12 hrs). Ran into a Policeman that attended every ANZAC Day that I did in that city. He immediately got "stuck in" about medals. I actually thought that this fellow was an ex serviceman, but it turns out that he in fact joined the Police in 1965 to avoid doing compulsory military training, and therefore miss the dreaded Vietnam thing.
As I have said he fronted Anzac day parades with his two medals proudly displayed, but as it turns out they are Civilian awards and not Military.
He is not the only one who turns up at Anzac (and other parades) wearing "Civilian" awards, while the likes of myself and countless hundreds (if not several thousand) ex SERVICEMEN and WOMEN have too meekly front with NOTHING to show for our volunteer service.
Here in Nelson we have a raft of Firemen who front in uniform with medals but have never served this country in any military capacity.
It has now got to the stage that I will NO LONGER be attending Anzac or any other day/parade, and am seriously thinking of resigning from all the Navy Associations that I currently belong to.
This situation of NON MILITARY personnel fronting in uniform with medals and being treated by some as (dare I say it) "hero's is what I consider, a bit over the top.
As you can gather, I am just a little bit "PISSED OFF" with this situation and would like to know what, if anything, our peers are doing about it.
Regards
Stanley G Foster
His comments says it all for many of us. Bill Lochrie
RNZN Medallic recognition (non recognition?)
New Zealanders eligible for Malaysian military medal
The Queen has given her approval for eligible New Zealanders to wear the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) medal.
Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today that the Queen has given her approval for eligible New Zealanders who served in Malaya / Malaysia to wear the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) medal.
Helen Clark said the Malaysian government wishes to award the PJM medal to those who served in Malaya / Malaysia for at least 90 days, between 31 August 1957 and 31 December 1966. This also includes service in Singapore up to 9 August 1965.
"New Zealand and Malaysia enjoy a long-standing and valuable defence relationship. The Malaysian government's offer of the PJM medal is an acknowledgement of the contribution made by New Zealanders to the security of Malaysia, and the region," Helen Clark said.
Defence Minister Mark Burton said while the PJM medal is a foreign award, it would be administered by the New Zealand Defence Force. The medal recognises certain service in Malaya, Borneo, and Singapore between 1957 and 1966.
"The NZDF will act as the agent for the Malaysian government in the administration of the PJM award. However, in all possible circumstances, senior representatives from the Malaysian government will present medals in person to recipients, including the next of kin in the case of posthumous awards," Mark Burton said.
Application forms should be sent to: Medals Office, Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force, Private Bag 905, Upper Hutt, New Zealand.
Once the applications have been verified, they will be forwarded to the High Commission of Malaysia, in Wellington, which will undertake the approval and presentation of the PJM medal to eligible veterans.
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Applying for Your Own Medals
If you are an ex serviceman or woman who has not previously been issued with the medals to which you are entitled, or you do not know what you are entitled to, the process is very simple.
Write to:
The Medals Office
Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force
Private Bag 905
UPPER HUTT
RNZN deployments eligible for the PJM medal
The following 16 RNZN deployments are eligible for the PJM medal:
HMNZS Royalist 31 August 1957 to 18 June 1958
HMNZS Rotoiti 22 May 1958 to 11 March 1959
HMNZS Pukaki 6 June 1959 to 15 March 1960
HMNZS Rotoiti 17 April 1960 to 15 February 1961
HMNZS Royalist 22 February 1961 to 12 July 1961
HMNZS Pukaki 9 July 1961 to 23 May 1962
HMNZS Taranaki 18 May 1962 to 12 March 1963
HMNZS Otago 5 June 1963 to 25 November 1963
HMNZS Taranaki 15 December 1963 to 20 August 1964
HMNZS Otago 15 October 1964 to 10 May 1965
HMNZS Royalist 20 May 1965 to 29 October 1965
HMNZS Santon 10 April 1965 to 25 November 1965
HMNZS Hickleton 12 April 1965 to 27 November 1965
HMNZS Taranaki 3 November 1965 to 23 April 1966
HMNZS Santon 26 November 1965 to 20 May 1966
HMNZS Hickleton 28 November 1965 to 30 July 1966
Personnel who served on two or more of the following five RNZN deployments may be eligible for the PJM medal, if their total number of days of qualifying service (as indicated in brackets) is 90 days or more:
HMNZS Royalist 25 March 1959 to 10 June 1959 (53.5 days’ qualifying service)
HMNZS Otago 23 February 1962 to 26 March 1962 (27 days’ qualifying service)
HMNZS Royalist 14 March 1963 to 26 June 1963 (75.5 days’ qualifying service)
HMNZS Royalist 19 May 1964 to 17 July 1964 (33 days’ qualifying service)
HMNZS Otago 29 April 1966 to 2 September 1966 (67.5 days’ qualifying service)
You must include the following information to assist the Headquarters staff to locate your file:
Surname
Full Given Names and any other names you are known by
Date and Place of Birth
Service Number
Rank and Service (Army / Navy / Air Force)
Regiment / Battalion / Unit / Ship
Period of Service
Next of Kin, Address and Occupation at time of Enlistment
Don't forget to include your current Address and Phone Number in the letter.
Applying For Deceased Family Members' Medals
There is a growing interest from many families in the military service given to the nation by their deceased relatives. If the medals to which your relative was entitled have never been issued, it is still possible for family members to claim them. To do so you should write to Staff Officer Medals (see above address) and provide as much of the above information as possible to assist the Archives staff to locate your relative's file: Most importantly, you must provide documentary proof of your relationship to your relative and a copy of their death certificate or funeral notice.
Naval General Service Medal with the clasp Malaya (NGSM (Malaya))
update 03 September 2001
The Defence Force has confirmed the following deployments to Malaya as qualifying personnel for the award of the NGSM (Malaya):
* HMNZS Pukaki June 1955 to April 1956
* HMNZS Kaniere April 1956 to May 1957
* HMNZS Royalist July 1957 to June 1958
* HMNZS Pukaki June 1959 to April 1960
Please note that the dates (above and below) refer to time spent on station in the Far East, and do not include service in or around New Zealand or Australia.
New Zealand naval records indicate that those who only served on the following deployments are unlikely to qualify for the NGSM (Malaya):
* HMNZS Kaniere September 1954 to July 1955
* HMNZS Black Prince June to July 1955
However, the crews of Kaniere (1954-55) and Black Prince (1955) may qualify for the New Zealand Operational Service Medal (NZOSM). Research is continuing on whether or not these deployments meet the qualifying criteria for the NZOSM.
For four deployments, naval records are incomplete. It is not yet clear whether the following deployments will qualify for the NGSM (Malaya):
* HMNZS Pukaki February to August 1954
* HMNZS Rotoiti circa May 1958 to April 1959
* HMNZS Royalist February to June 1959
* HMNZS Rotoiti April to July 1960
(the cut off date for eligible service for the NGSM (Malaya) was 31 July 1960)
To determine if these deployments meet the requirements for the NGSM (Malaya), the Defence Force would appreciate information from veterans about the precise locations and activities of the ships during these periods (preferably on a day by day or week by week basis). Useful sources could be diaries, ships logs, personal letters, newspaper articles, lists of crew. Please contact Donald Anderson or Mike Hanley if you are able to assist. The contact details are:
Postal:
Personnel Branch
Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force
Private Bag
Wellington
E-mail: donald.anderson2@nzdf.mil.nz
or michael.hanley@nzdf.mil.nz
Any deployments which do not qualify for the NGSM (Malaya) may still qualify for the New Zealand Operational Service Medal (NZOSM). Personnel Branch will keep interested veterans informed about developments (see page 2 of the enclosed Medals Initiatives).
Individuals who served on more than one deployment (where none of those separate deployments qualify for a medal) may have accumulated sufficient days in the Malayan operational area - as defined by Defence Force - to qualify for the NGSM (Malaya) or for the NZOSM or for both medals.
Medal Inititives - November 2001
The government announced on 11 June 2001 the introduction of new service medals in conjunction with existing medals to meet a number of concerns about the recognition of service since 3 September 1945.
The responsibility for managing the administrative requirements associated with the manufacture, entitlements and issue of some 55,000 medals rests with Personnel Branch, Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force, who will inform eligible veterans when to make application for specific medals as they progressively become available during the next 12 months.
Applications
To avoid delays and double handling veterans are asked to apply for their medals in accordance with the details promulgated by Personnel Branch from time to time. When applications are called for, veterans are requested to write to the Staff Officer Medals, Personnel Archives, PO Box 905, Upper Hutt, stating:
Service Number
Service: RNZN, NZ Army, RNZAF or name of other organisation
Full forename(s) and surname
Name of medal being applied for
Details of service that supports a claim for the medal, or medals
Next of Kin
The next of kin of a deceased person may make application for that person's medals in the same way as described above. The only additional requirement is that the applicant for a deceased service persons medals should state his or her relationship to that person.
Further Details
Brief details about the range of new awards are below. The awards will progressively become available during the next 12 months. The Defence Force will keep interested veterans informed about developments through the media, veterans newsletters and the RSA Review as further details are available.
Should further details about the medals or the administrative process associated with applications be required applicants should address their questions to:
Personnel Branch
Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force
Private Bag
Wellington
Email: michael.hanley@nzdf.mil.nz
New Zealand Operational Service Medal
A new medal to be called the New Zealand Operational Service Medal (NZOSM) will be awarded to New Zealand personnel for service in operations since 3 September 1945. The medal will continue the black and white theme of the ribbon of the New Zealand War Service Medal (NZWSM) 1939- 45, but in a different arrangement. In order of wear the NZOSM will take precedence directly after the NZWSM but before any other campaign medal awarded for service after 3rd September 1945. The regulations for the NZOSM have yet to be finalised. It is likely that the medals will be to service, police and civilian personnel who have qualified for or have accrued a defined period of time towards one of the following war or campaign medals:
The Korea Medal, the Naval General Service Medal (Malaya), the General Service Medal (Malay Peninsula, Brunei, Borneo)
The New Zealand Service Medal 1946-49, Vietnam Medal, East Timor Medal, New Zealand General Service Medal (warlike and non warlike)
Other medals approved by the Queen for wearing by New Zealanders to recognise service with the United Nations or NATO
New Zealand personnel awarded the Rhodesia Medal (1980) will also qualify for the award.
The NZOSM will be awarded once only to personnel who served in these operations. Some other service will be included, but this will need approval by the government. The NZOSM will not be engraved with details of the recipient, as the process will delay the issue of the medals. At this stage the design and manufacturing requirements have yet to be arranged. However it is anticipated that the medal will be available for issue in Jun or Jul 2002. When arrival dates are confirmed Personnel Branch will advise potential recipients to forward applications for the award.
New Zealand Service Medal 1946-49
The award of the New Zealand Service Medal 1946 -49 will be extended to include the service of HMNZ Ships Gambia and Achilles in Japanese waters as part of the occupation force during the period following the Japanese surrender. Before a medal can be issued from existing stocks it will be necessary to amend the Royal Warrant to include the service of both vessels and obtain the Queen's approval for the change in eligibility for the award. It is anticipated that formal approval for the change will not be completed before September/October 2001.
Naval General Service Medal with the clasp Malaya
The criteria for the award of the Naval General Service Medal have been revised and the operational area re-defined to include duty in support of ground operations as well as actively supporting other operations. The Defence Force has identified the following deployments to Malaya as qualifying personnel for the award of the medal:
- HMNZS Pukaki June 1955 to April 1956
- HMNZS Kaniere April 1956 to May 1957
- HMNZS Royalist July 1957 to June 1958
- HMNZS Pukaki June 1959 to April 1960
Veterans of this service may apply for this medal now. The Defence Force will be working with RNZN veterans of service in Malayan waters to ascertain eligibility for the medal in respect of other deployments to Malaya between 1948 and 1960. Other qualifying deployments will be announced as details of the service are confirmed. The medal is presently being minted and will be available by the end of September 2001 but will need to be engraved with the recipients details before issue. A miniature medal will also be available for purchase by eligible personnel. The cost of the miniature is not known but will be advised at a later date.
New Zealand General Service Medal (warlike) with the clasp Near East
The NZGSM in silver is to be awarded to members of the crew of HMNZS Royalist for service during the Suez crisis in 1956. Draft regulations for the award have been prepared for the approval of the Queen. An order has been placed for the medal, which should be available by the beginning of November 2001. A miniature medal will also be available for purchase, however the cost is not yet known and will be advised at a later date. Members of the crew of HMNZS Royalist should now write to the Staff Officer Medals, applying for the award. As the medals will have to be engraved with the recipients details before issue it is likely that recipients will not receive their medal until near the end of 2001.
The Vietnam Medal
The government has approved the award of the Vietnam Medal to members of 40 or 41 Squadrons who flew one or more operational sorties over South Vietnam or Vietnamese waters in support of operations between 29 May 1964 and 28 January 1973. Applicants should now write to the Staff Officer Medals with the personal details required above and providing relevant extracts from log books to prove eligibility. Full-size medals are currently available for issue. Miniature medals are also available at a cost of $10.00 each.
New Zealand General Service Medal (warlike) with the clasp Vietnam
Approval has been given to award the NZGSM with the clasp Vietnam to a range of personnel who served in Vietnam between 1964 and 1975 but did not qualify for the Vietnam Medal. The NZGSM will be awarded to crews of RNZAF aircraft who flew into South Vietnam between 29th January 1973 and 29th April 1975. In addition, the medal will be awarded to members of civilian medical teams and some other philanthropic organisations who served in Vietnam. The regulations governing the award of the NZGSM with the clasp Vietnam are yet to be approved. It is anticipated that the regulations will be finalised by October 2001, however the medals will not be available before November and will need to be engraved before issue. At the appropriate time, eligible personnel will be invited to make application to the Staff Officer Medals. A miniature medal will be available for purchase at a cost to be advised.
NB. Personnel awarded the Vietnam Medal will not be entitled to receive the NZGSM with the clasp Vietnam.
New Zealand General Service Medal (non warlike) with the clasp Rwanda
The NZGSM with the clasp "Rwanda" will be awarded to RNZAF personnel who served in support of operations in Rwanda between 1 August and 17 September 1994. Applicants should write now to the Staff Officer Medals, with the personal details required above. The medals will need to be engraved before issue and will not be available before November 2001. A miniature medal will be available for purchase, with the cost to be advised.
The following are the latest details of the proposed areas of operation that will qualify for the award of the NZ Operational Service Medal when it is issued. This list is subject to change at any time in the future.
New Zealand personnel who witnessed nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1970s will be eligible for a new medal, the Prime Minister Helen Clark and Veterans' Affairs Minister Mark Burton announced today.
"The Queen has agreed in principle to the institution of the New Zealand Special Service Medal," Helen Clark said.
The medal will recognise service to New Zealand in very difficult, adverse, extreme, or hazardous circumstances. Such service often involves risk (whether physical, environmental, or psychological) similar to operational service, without fitting the criteria of operational service.
It is intended that the medal be initially awarded to New Zealand Service personnel and civilians who formed part of an official New Zealand presence at an atmospheric nuclear test. This includes attendance at British nuclear tests in the Pacific and Australia in 1956-58, American tests in 1957-58, and French testing at Muroroa Atoll in 1973. Approximately 1100 people will qualify for the award.
"The award of this medal to nuclear test veterans will help resolve a long-held medallic grievance, by providing them with tangible recognition of their service to New Zealand," Helen Clark said.
The medal will also be available to the families of eligible personnel who are deceased.
The institution of this medal follows the government announcement in June last year of the institution of the New Zealand Operational Service Medal and other awards, to resolve medallic grievances stretching back to 1945.
"Over 1,500 applications have already been received for the Operational Service Medal," Mark Burton said. "However, it is estimated that up to 50,000 New Zealanders could be eligible to receive recognition for their service in the many campaigns and operations that New Zealand forces have been sent to over the past 57 years.
"A number of operations that have not previously been acknowledged by the award of any medal will be recognised by the Operational Service Medal. One example is the New Zealanders who participated in the 1948-49 Berlin Airlift."
Full details of the qualifying service for the New Zealand Operational Service Medal and the New Zealand Special Service Medal, and details of the medals themselves, are summarised below.
NEW ZEALAND SPECIAL SERVICE MEDAL
The first award of the New Zealand Special Service Medal is to personnel who were sent by the New Zealand Government to observe atmospheric nuclear tests.
New Zealand was an active supporter of the British programme to develop a thermonuclear weapon. For Operation Grapple, the 1957-58 tests at Christmas Island in the central Pacific, New Zealand provided two frigates to act as weather-observation ships. HMNZ Ships Rotoiti and Pukaki were deployed to Christmas Island in March 1957 and were present for the first test at nearby Malden Island in May 1957. The second test followed on 31 May and the final test for 1957 on 19 June. After returning to Auckland, Rotoiti and Pukaki were made available for an extra weapons test in November. More tests were conducted in 1958, with Pukaki being deployed to observe tests in April and again in August and September.
In addition to the support for Operation Grapple, New Zealand sent observers to other British nuclear tests in Australia in 1956 and 1957. The United States also invited observers to weapons tests, and New Zealand personnel attended tests in Nevada in 1957 and at Eniwetok Atoll in 1958.
Later attendance by New Zealand personnel at atmospheric nuclear tests was of a somewhat different character. To demonstrate its opposition to French nuclear testing, the New Zealand Government sent the frigate HMNZS Otago to Muroroa Atoll in 1973. Otago was off Muroroa when a test was detonated on 22 July. HMNZS Canterbury followed Otago in this duty, and was present for a further test on 28 July. Although France continued nuclear tests at Muroroa, subsequent tests were underground.
Design
The Special Service Medal is gold plated and bears on the obverse the New Zealand Coat of Arms and on the reverse a representation of a bouquet of New Zealand flora, composed of fern fronds and sprigs of blossom of Pohutukawa, Manuka, Kowhai and Mt Cook Lilies, with a scroll below inscribed FOR SPECIAL SERVICE. The medal is suspended from a ribbon with an orange-yellow centre with crimson, red, white, and black stripes on either side. The Herald of Arms, Mr Philip OShea, designed the medal.
NEW ZEALAND OPERATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL
The Operational Service Medal is awarded to all personnel who have received one or more of the following campaign medals for service in the New Zealand Armed Forces:
New Zealand Service Medal 1946-1949
Korea Medal
General Service Medal (1918) with clasps: Malaya
Naval General Service Medal with clasps: Minesweeping 1945-51
Malaya
Near East
General Service Medal (1962) with clasps: Brunei
Borneo
Malay Peninsula
Vietnam Medal
Rhodesia Medal
New Zealand General Service Medal
East Timor Medal
United Nations Medal (where accepted for wearing by New Zealanders)
Personnel who have not qualified for any campaign medal may be awarded the Operational Service Medal In some circumstances. Any person who has accumulated seven days service towards any of the campaign medals will be eligible. Personnel who served during the 1948-49 Berlin airlift are also eligible.
Design
The Herald of Arms, Mr Philip OShea, designed the Operational Service Medal after consultation with veterans groups. The medal is silver plated with the New Zealand Coat of Arms on the obverse and a Kiwi, facing to the right, with below a wavy line with the inscription For Operational Service. The medal is suspended from a black and white ribbon.
Veterans who consider they are eligible for either of the medals should write to:
Staff Officer Medals
Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force
Private Bag 905
UPPER HUTT
Veterans should supply as much of the following details as possible:
Service Number
Service: RNZN, NZ Army, RNZAF or name of other organisation
Full forename(s) and surname
Name of medal being applied for
Details of service that supports the claim.
Contact: Chris Roberts [Press Secretary] 04 471-9773 or 021 270-9012
chris.roberts@parliament.govt.nz
Update 2002
Defence Minister and Minister of Veteran's Affairs Mark Burton today announced that approximately 800 additional New Zealand navy veterans now qualify for a medal recognising their service during the 1960s confrontation with Indonesia. "This will rectify another long-standing grievance of New Zealand veterans," Mark Burton said. The General Service Medal with the clasp "Malaya Peninsula" was awarded for service off the coast of Malaya in patrols against infiltrators between 1964 and 1966. "Service on HMNZ Ships Royalist and Otago in 1965 and 1966 respectively which was not previously recognised, will now qualify for the medal," Mark Burton said. "In the past there was a restrictive and inconsistent approach taken to the interpretation of qualifying criteria for this medal. This has created situations where two ships could be in the same area, with one able to count qualifying service and the other not able to. "For example, one of the most dangerous incidents involving a New Zealand naval vessel during this period was not considered to qualifying for medallic recognition.
In 1966, HMNZS Hickleton engaged a sampan containing armed uniformed Indonesians. Two Indonesians were killed and two seriously wounded. Two New Zealanders received gallantry decorations for the incident. Yet this service was not counted towards the GSM "Malay Peninsula". (HMNZS Hickleton subsequently qualified for the medal through other service.) "The government has made significant progress on veterans' medallic grievances over the last two years," Mark Burton said. "This is the fourth major grievance of naval veterans that the government had redressed. Others included service on Achilles and Gambia in 1945, at Suez in 1956, and service off Malaya in the 1950s. As a result, an additional 3000 naval veterans are now eligible for medals. "I hope to make further announcements shortly, as we continue to resolve long-standing grievances by providing veterans with tangible recognition of their service to New Zealand," Mark Burton said. Background Notes RNZN ships based in South-East Asia in the 1960s helped to defend the Malay Peninsula against Indonesian infiltration.
During 1965 and 1966 the qualifying criteria for the medal stipulated that only service 'on sea patrol duties' could be counted towards the 30 days required. Naval qualifying service for the later period was understood at the time as official patrols. RNZN personnel on two deployments spent 30 days or more on official patrols and thus qualified for the medal. Contemporary orders were vague and did not define 'sea patrol duties' for the purposes of the medal, nor did they specify an operational area. The RNZN accepted British advice at the time as to which ships qualified for the award of the medal. The regulations were interpreted too restrictively, with some confusion over what was a sea patrol. Two ships could be in the same area with one ship being able to count this service as qualifying time and the other unable to. There were thus anomalies in the way the medal was administered.
The New Zealand Government has made its own interpretation of whether its ships qualified for the medal. Any New Zealand ship in the operational area around the Malay Peninsula risked being involved in hostilities regardless whether they were officially on sea patrol or transiting the area. Each ship had the same rules of engagement and faced the same risks, as the Hickleton incident demonstrates. The Minister of Defence has approved the award of the medal for all sea service within a defined area around the Malay Peninsula. The effect of this revised interpretation is that an additional 790 veterans of the deployments of HMNZS Royalist in 1965 and HMNZS Otago in 1966 will qualify for the GSM "Malay Peninsula". Veterans or next of kin may apply for the medal by writing to:
Staff Officer Medals
Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force
Private Bag 905
UPPER HUTT
As many as possible of the following details should be provided:
Service Number
Full forename(s) and surname
Details of RNZN service that is thought to qualify for the medal
FAR EAST STRATEGIC RESERVE (FESR)
The following is a letter I wrote to the PM with regards to medallic recognition for service with the Far East Strategic Reserve (FESR) whilst RNZN Frigates were attached to the COMFEF up to 1972.
The Right Honourable Helen Clark
Prime Minister of New Zealand
Parliament Buildings
Private Bag
WELLINGTON
29/5/02
Dear Prime Minister
Another Anzac day just gone, and it was good to see many of our members proudly wearing medals that they had not had the privilege of wearing previously. For many years their service to this country had gone unrecognised, but this Labour Govt had promised to right this anomaly, and I can assure you that those members of our association are very grateful to you and your Govt for righting many of the medallic grievances.
However, as the national secretary of the Royal New Zealand Naval Association, I am writing to you in respect of a group of naval veterans who feel that their service continues to be unrecognised. I refer to those who saw naval service with the Far East Strategic Reserve (FESR). All commissioned RNZN frigates that deployed with the 11th frigate squadron were - as far as we were concerned rated OPERATIONAL. The COLD WAR was a war against communism, and as such did not involve major battles, it involved continuous pressure and cooperation by a host of nations including New Zealand, to suppress any further threat or occupation of many countries in South East Asia. I believe the Ching Peng movement in Malaysia did not surrender until granted amnesty from their Govt until around 1989. The seas surrounding countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Borneo were still dangerous places to be up until 1972.
RNZN ships exercised continuously with the navies of SEATO, in areas such as the South China Sea, right up until the end of the Vietnam War. Units of the RAN and USN were highly involved in that war. Our ships acted as plane guard duty for aircraft carriers, submarine detection and many other hazardous engagements. We were trained for this type of naval warfare. We did very comprehensive work ups in Hawaii with the USN Fleet Training Group at Pearl Harbour and with the RAN in the East Australia Exercise Areas out of Sydney - before coming under the operational control of the Commander-in-Chief Far East Fleet (COMFEF) based in Singapore. Because of a continuous naval presence in the area, the scourge of the pirate menace was not as prevalent as it is today.
We were ready to go to the aid of our allies if necessary. We were all young volunteers and ready to do our countries bidding. Most of our time was spent at sea exercising with allied navies - a small proportion of the time was spent on R&R with visits to countries considered good trading partners with New Zealand and to show the flag, and be present to demonstrate New Zealands good will, and support to those nations.
Many of our veterans feel very aggrieved and disappointed by the lack of recognition for our service with the FESR. Many say what will be will be and some dont care. However, the majority feel that we should be recognised, especially since everyone else seems to have been. We feel that you should follow the Australian initiative, and give credit and dignity to the personnel who served their country with the FESR. Many feel that you should honour your pre election promise and recognise ALL of those veterans who served this country - and whose service has gone unrecognised. It is a hard to comprehend or understand why some groups of veterans will get recognition, whilst others will not. Recognising all veterans seems to be the only solution in our way of thinking.
Yours sincerely
W.D Lochrie (Bill)
National secretary
RNZN Association
The reply
Bill Lochrie
National Secretary
Royal New Zealand Naval Association
PO Box 3013
CHRISTCHURCH
Dear Bill
Thank you for your letter of 29 May about recognition for naval service with the Far East Strategic Reserve.
The Defence Force is still in the process of reviewing medallic recognition for some operations. One of the areas under review is naval service in South-East Asia. The first stage in this review led to the award of the Naval General Service Medal with the clasp Malaya" for personnel who served during the Malayan emergency until 1960. The second stage involved a reconsideration of the qualifying criteria for the Malay Peninsula" and "Borneo" clasp to the General Service Medal. This led to the recent announcement that personnel who served on HMNZS Royalist in 1965 or on HMNZS Otago in 1966 could now receive the General Service Medal with the clasp Malay Peninsula.
The award of any of these medals also entitles veterans to receive the New Zealand Operational Service Medal. In addition to this, any person who completed a minimum of seven days' service towards any of the specified campaign medals is entitled to receive the NZOSM. Examples of this include HMNZ Ships Black Prince and Royalist in 1955 and 1959 respectively, while HMNZS Taranaki completed a total of eight days' qualifying service towards the "Borneo" and Malay Peninsula" clasps in 1964.
It is now intended that the Defence Force will complete an overview of service in the region during the 1960s to allow consideration to be given to recognising any service that has not yet been recognised by the award of a medal.
Decisions to award medals are made in light of the operational conditions pertaining at the time, rather than to recognise the strategic role of significance of the service in question. Thus while the primary reason for the RNZN presence in South-East Asia was a New Zealand contribution to strategic defence, medals have been awarded to recognise service in the actual conflicts that eventuated. There is no guarantee that any further medals will be awarded, and any award must meet the core requirement that the service in question was beyond the normal requirements of peacetime service. Deployments overseas, even to areas of significant tension, will not automatically qualify for recognition.
I should comment on your point about Australian recognition of this service. New Zealand and Australia have quite separate royal honours systems. Australian awards have been developed by the Australian government to meet their own specific requirements. Decisions by the New Zealand government have reflected different perceptions here about how best to recognise operational service.
Yours sincerely
Hon Mark Burton
MINISTER OF DEFENCE
What are we going to do about it?
It is now April 1st 2003, and yes I do feel like an April fool. I have not heard a word since on recognition for FESR Veterans. Young ratings today do 2 months in places like Bougainville and are awarded the NZOSM. We, who did 6 to 11 months trips away get no recognition for our service to this country. This is a genuine grievance, and I encourage all FESR veterans to put pen to paper and write to the PM or the MOD and demand that we be recognised. This Labour Government made a promise in 1999 that they would recognise those defence force personnel whose recognition had gone unrecognised. We are still waiting Mr Burton.
Medallic issues: Some e-mails sent to me on the subject
.... That there is a need to recognise our service in RNZN (not only FESR) was evident by the number of blokes at Taranaki's reunion who had bought themselves a commemorative medal from the "English Tie Company" here in AK. The commemorative is the 11 frigate squadron. I had never seen it before and it looks quite good. Personally I have not bought one, but from the number I saw, it told me the boys are starting to feel that their service needs some sort of recognition. Suppose it is because they are all grandfathers now and want something to pass on. (Who knows)....
.....Thankyou for your reply, and the helpful information,........you are right in saying the Australian honours system is quite different to ours, and I guess my cynical nature got in the way of common sense. My reason behind my last e-mail was, the concern of thousands of Naval personal who served in the Far East for long periods of time during the sixties, particularly during the Indonesia Confrontation who have had no recognition. Any more information on this subject would be appreciated....
....Hi Bill, the following is part of an article, on the back page of the latest RSA Review written by Richard Jackson, editor of Navy Today magazine.............
"The RNZN is proud of its record in South East Asia. Ever since the Korean War we have deployed fully armed, trained and worked-up ships to a multi-national fleet, conducting what we would now call peace-support operations, in what was - for many years - a very volatile region. That has been a little recognised achievement, but it is perhaps the NZDFs most enduring contribution to regional stability."
Perhaps you might be able to use this to help the medal recognition cause...
....Congratulations on your letter to Mike Hanley on January 9. Perhaps in future correspondence you may wish to raise the matter of "the ship that never was". I refer of course to Rotoiti's 1958-59 commission, a large part of which was spent in what were politely called "anti-piracy" patrols around what was then British North Borneo. But here's the rub. None of Rotoitis crew are eligible for medallic recognition. Why? Because NZDF don't know where the ship was and according to Mike Hanley, navy have LOST the records and have appealed to any ex-members who may have letters or diaries to help them out. I have had correspondence with NZDF on this matter, largely unsatisfactory, and back in October, wrote to the Minister of Veterans Affairs saying that I did not believe Navy had lost (misplaced, yes, lost, NO) all the details and sought clarification of Navys stand on the matter. Although I did receive an acknowledgment from Ferner on October 9 that my letter would be placed before the minister "for his consideration" I HAVE NOT YET HAD ANY FORM OF RESPONSE FROM THE MINISTER.
Should the above be of any benefit to your case, I will be happy to forward copies to you.
Cheers ....
....Long time no speak. I have been out of communication for a while, due to work commitments. So please forgive. You will not doubt be happy with the news about the Special Service Medal for our nuclear vets. Seems as though the Government is keeping its promises after all. Any further news about the Operational Service Medal or FESR one? Also do you know if they are considering a general "overseas service" medal?
Please keep in touch....
....gidday bill, I am really annoyed about the lack of recognition of my service.
i want your opinion on this line of pressure to the NZ. govt. we were served alcohol and tobacco whilst under age I got my beer issue when I was 18 , and my rum when I was 20.....the legal drinking age at that time was 21 , there are a group of solicitors and barristers in Australia. who will fight the case on a no win , no pay situation. most of us Comms ratings are now smokers, and hopeless alcoholics. I know it sounds mean, but why cant they recognise us. this is for your eyes only
best wishes....
.....hi Bill, thanks for your email, interestingly I have some contact with War pensions recently. I applied for, and had approved for them to pay for more plastic surgery (done at St Georges 2 weeks ago) (They have paid for all the surgery I have had for my skin cancer probs) When they sent me the letter approving the surgery they also sent me a "review" form for my war disability pension (a small pittance) - this was a real surprise to say the least, so I got the specialist to fill it all in and sent it back to them. I am currently waiting to hear how they will view this (not holding my breath) But still the surprising thing was that they sent me the form in the first place !!!
Incidentally I am having another operation on Monday this time at Southern Cross and they are paying for that as well (and so they should the bastards) - for your information my disability pension is paid for "basal cell carcinoma" (which is a type of skin cancer) and while it doesnt actually mention "Mururoa" it says the problem is attributable to my service with the NZ armed forces !! Guilty as charged !!
Lets hope some of the other Vets have a bit more luck cheers ....
..Hi Guys .. just thought you might be interested to know that I was awarded the New Zealand Special Service Medal this morning. ( for Club Mururoa). It was not pinned on my chest by the Minister of Defence, or the local MP, or the Mayor of Christchurch, or more importantly Commander Edwards but via a bloody courier bag dumped on the back doorstep. Nice to see they havent lost that human touch isn't it!!! It would have been nice to have a local presentation I got the stitches out of my face especially, Ha ha...
..Some more on the saga of the NZOSM...
Been talking to some more of the boys up here who were in pussers during the Cold War days and they are of the opinion that every sailor who served overseas on an operational frigate during that time should be eligible for the medal. Lots were talking about it on ANZAC Day and were voicing the same opinion, but the above is from sober guys this week. I know on ANZAC Day heaps who spent 10, 12 years etc were pissed of with all the currently serving ODs prancing around with a chest full of peacekeeping medals, while they had nothing to show for their years of service. This hurt a lot of people. Just fuel for any submissions the RNZN Assoc may be making. After all it is election year...
Bill,
I am inquiring as to the issue of the NZOSM to the Nuclear Vets that have received the NZSSM. (received mine)
Do the Nuclear Vets get the NZOSM as well as the NZSSM...? I have had conflicting information. When looked at I can see no difference between the operational situations of the 1960s and the emergency of the Mururoa situation.Is the Mururoa operation considered a campaign.
I look forward to your reply.
Thanks.
Hi Bill,
Well written. May I suggest you include all who served in operational frigates up to the end of the Cold War, not just those who served in FESR. I say this, as I detected a deal of feeling among the boys up here on ANZAC Day. When the boys saw ODs who had only been in pussers less than a dog watch parading around with their peacekeeping medals they felt a bit upset.
Some of the comments I detected were:
- all frigates were considered operational when they left NZ waters - the trips away took a great toll both on the matelot and their families (some marriages/relationships did not survive)
- matelots were required to work and work in some pretty confined spaces for long periods of time.
- before the 3 month resignation thing came in people had to buy their way out of pussers. In other words unless they had access to funds (who did?) they were virtually "imprisoned". With the resultant stresses it caused.
- the cold war was at its height and all servicemen/women were subject to its trends and tensions.
- during the Vietnam war era all servicemen and women were regarded as "the enemy" by the peace protesters.
- when ships were attached to the US Pacific fleet (CINCPac), they were considered operational once they arrived in Pearl Harbour. This fleet was a prime target during the Cold War and considered a front line fleet by the Americans.
And so it went on.
In short, the boys who gave up to 14 years of their lives have absolutely nothing to show for it. If they stayed on in pussers over 14 years they at least got a long service and good conduct medal. When the NZOSM was first mentioned everyone thought it would sort the situation out. But when they found out that it was only going to those who already had some sort of war and peacekeeping medal, they felt (and still feel) very let down.
Hope this helps.
Cheers ..
..as I understand it we were operational and on ACTIVE patrols throughout our deployments.. take Taranaki who intercepted gun runners.. etc. Otago who was doing carrier escort. and where were those planes flying ??? ohhh and where in hell were we the night I saw bright things flying across the sky ?? of course its all very political and we were NEVER there!! and how is it that Otagos cruise in 1970 1971 was gazetted by RNZRSA as qualifying for returned service membership and a consequent rehab loan.. but nope no medals.. mind you I have a friend who fought through the Falklands in the hot seat and he never got the medal either but the peacekeepers who came after did.. his unit pulled out after 20 days.. "go figure
Any comments you have on this contentious issue I would be very interested in hearing from you.
Please contact me.
Bill Lochrie
National Secretary
