My friend served in Egypt in the Suez Canal Emergency 1950. How does he get his general service medal?

Question

My friend is nearly 80 and he thinks he is entitled to get the general service medal but hasn't a clue how to go about it. He is rather proud and doesn't see why he should have to chase this up. I think he should have the medal he is entitled to. Can anyone tell me how to go about this for him?

Without-style: Could you ask your dad if he had to pay? I would be grateful. Thanks.

In the meantime thanks very much to Colin M with the details my friend needs. he still knows his rank and service number and if he is holding one of my sticks (I am on 2 crutches) for me he stands to attention with the stick as gun and quotes his rank and service number as if he is reporting for duty - it wasn't a very good idea when the police helicopter as hovering over us the other day!!!!

Also thanks to Conranger1

I now have found out he served from 1952 to 1953.

Thanks martdfrogman. Especially with the fax and email address as I am profoundly deaf and end up often having to chase things up for my friend, which can be very difficult sometimes!

Answer 1

Hi,
This is taken from the UK Veterans website.
I have used these guys to help apply for my Fathers medals for him.
http://www.veterans-uk.info

Good luck.

Applying for the medal

Veterans of the Canal Zone, or the next-of-kin of those who have died, should apply in writing to the MOD Medal Office, giving full name, date of birth and Service number. As with the initial issue of all other British campaign awards there will be no charge for the medal. There has been criticism in the Press about delays in issuing these medals, which was caused by a backlog of initial applications received in the latter half of 2003. At peak, the medal offices received over 2,000 applications in a week. Since then over 40,000 cases have been reviewed and the waiting list has been reduced substantially. It is anticipated that all outstanding cases will be dealt with within the next few months.

The address of the medal office is as follows:

AFPAA (JPAC)
MOD Medal Office
Building 250
RAF Innsworth
Gloucester
GL3 1HW

Email: [e-mail]
Fax: [phone]
Free Phone: [phone]
Overseas Civ: [phone]

They will acknowledge every application on receipt. In common with other campaign medals, all applications will be dealt with strictly in the order that they are received. Although the backlog has been substantially reduced in recent months please be prepared for a wait. A dedicated Canal Zone new section has been established at the Medal Office and all the available resources are concentrating on recovering the necessary Service files from the Departmental archives, checking individual eligibility and preparing medals for despatch. All cases are being dealt with as quickly as possible.

Answer 2

Contact the MoD Medal Office:

Ministry of Defence Medal Office (MOD MO)
Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency (AFPAA)
RAF Innsworth
Gloucester
GL31 1HW
phone: [phone]

Give:
full name and date of birth;
service number;
regiment or corps (for the Army);
branch or trade (for the Royal Navy and RAF);
rank and the date you were discharged; and
name and address now.

The first Suez emergency, which lasted between 1951-1954 and preceded the disastrous Suez Crisis of 1956, claimed 300 lives.
Rules governing medals say they cannot usually be awarded more than five years after a conflict, but in 2003 a committee said special circumstances meant they could now be struck for this case.




Hope this helps.

Answer 3

First of all, two warships from any country are not a threat to anybody. It's not like the Mediterranean is not already full other warships. The US has an entire fleet there. So does Russia. All Mediterranean countries have their own military fleets, several of which are 10s of times stronger than those 2 ships, Israel included. Secondly, sending those two warships does not violate any law. It is well within Iran's rights to sail their military ships anywhere in international waters anywhere in the world. Also, Egypt is obligated to allow any ship to pass through the Suez Canal unless Egypt is in war with that nation. Thirdly, Israel has no right to dictate to Egypt who to allow or not allow to pass through the Suez Canal. If Israel does any military action against those ships, they would be in violation of international law.

Answer 4

One thing I do know for certain is that he -will- have to pay for it, which might take the 'praise' aspect and diminish the pride he can take from it.

My Dad looked into getting military medals the a few years back, I can't remember who he contacted, I can ask and see if he remembers and report back, though as I said, he will have to pay for it.

--Edit

As other have mentioned quite rightly below he told me it was the MOD Medal Office, though he never bothered because he had to pay for them (and he’s quite disgruntled that he’d have to) he couldn’t remember how much, but he’s an ’adorable tight git’ so even five pound would be five pound too much!

Hopefully it’s a different case for your friend!

You probably know all this by now, but it came to me (rather suddenly!) Suez wasn't until '56 as our fellow peers pointed out rather amusingly, however Malaya was declared a state of emergency in '48, and referred to as an emergency and not a war, which is what it was but the plantations pushed for emergency as they wouldn't be able to recover their losses from the insurance companies if it had been declared a war.

It could of been very likely he did his national service over there.

Answer 5

Blimey, it's a medal not worth having. What the hell is general Service anyway. In the 50s I servrd in Malaya fighting Chinese Communists. We were never awarded medals for it, we were just glad to do our tour and get out of it.

Answer 6

I dont think the British award medals to "one-man armys" that go off and attack other nations, but on the off chance your buddy got his dates wrong (often happens with old age), he will have to apply to the M.O.D. at:

MOD Medal Office,
Building 250,
RAF Innsworth,
Gloucester, GL3 1HW,
United Kingdom.

Answer 7

If he was fighting there in 1950 it was probably him who started the war as it took place in 1956.

Answer 8

I doubt it. The Suez crisis was 1956.

Answer 9

Too late ...but ask your local MP...there will be some publicity for the MP ...so he/she will be willing to help

Answer 10

I am not sure this may happens