For
generations our Armed Forces have served their country across the world
in many roles from war fighting, peacekeeping and reconstruction to home
defence. In so doing, they have defended our country, our way of life
and our cherished values. A large number of our veterans are young and
active and now use the skills, the discipline and the leadership they
learned in the Armed Forces to benefit their civilian employers and the
wider community. The Ministry of Defence Strategy for Veterans highlights
that because of all this it is important to focus on supporting veterans
of all ages by celebrating, and raising public awareness of, their achievements
and their contribution to society. To promote recognition of veterans
by the wider British public the unique and unifying symbol of the HM
Armed Forces Veterans Badge is available to all those who have served
in HM Armed Forces.
The
HM Armed Forces Veterans’ Lapel Badge was launched in May 2004 by
the Minister for Veterans, to raise the profile of veterans by assisting
the wider public to recognise them. The first veterans badge was issued
to Lord Healy, a veteran of the Battle for Monte Cassino, on 10 May 2004,
which initiated the roll out of the badge to the generation who served
in the Second World War. Since then eligibility to apply for the badge
has been extended in sequential phases and now all veterans are eligible
to apply.
The
badge is an enamelled, engraved, and pinned, lapel badge featuring the
words “HM Armed Forces – Veteran”, which encompass the
Tri-Service, Anchor, Crossed Swords and Eagle motif. Its symbolism is intended
to unite all veterans in recognising the commonality of their service,
to encourage a sense of unity and community between surviving veterans
and to ignite public recognition of our veterans and their continuing contribution
to society.
Eligibility
Criteria
All those who have served in HM Armed Forces, including Volunteer and Regular Reserves
Exceptions
Veterans who served in Armed Forces of other Countries and those who served
alongside HM Armed Forces are not eligible (e.g. Canadian Navy or Royal Australian
Air Force).
Posthumous
requests
The badge is a survivors badge
and therefore is not issued posthumously.
The only exception is for War
Widows and Widowers who are in receipt of a War Widows/Widowers Pension
paid by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency. This also includes
those who have received an award of Survivors Guaranteed Income Payment
(SGIP) under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. This is in recognition
of the fact that their death was due to their military service.
How to apply
You can apply by any of the following
methods:
Click on one of the links below
to access the application form.
Application
Forms
Please
ensure you complete the form including your service details as fully as possible.
You
may post or fax your completed form to the Service Personnel and Veterans
Agency.
Another
option is to download the form, complete it electronically, save the form
and return to the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency by email.
If
you wish, you may call the Freephone number to apply. Please ensure you
have to hand all the details asked for on the application form.
Postal
address:
Service Personnel and Veterans Agency,
Norcross
Thornton-Cleveleys,
Lancashire,
FY5 3WP
Fax:
01253 330561(UK Only)
+44 1253 330561 (Overseas)
Email: SPVA-VeteransBadges@mod.uk
Freephone
Helpline
Free: 0800 169 2277 (UK only)
Free: 0800 169 3458 (Minicom UK only)
+44 1253 866043 (Overseas)
Information
for Third Parties
- ex-Service
organisations
- public
advisors
If you wish to publicise the availability of the Veterans Lapel
Badge, please use the exact criteria and contact details as shown above.
UK
Merchant Seafarers Veterans Badge
If you Served in the Merchant Navy during Military Operations click here.
