The Veteran's Badge is a badge awarded by the
Ministry of Defence
A ministry of defence or defense (see American and British English spelling differences#-ce.2C -se, spelling differences), also known as a department of defence or defense, is the part of a government responsible for matters of defence and Mi ...
to any person who served in the
British Army
The British Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of the United Kingdom. the British Army comprises 73,847 regular full-time personnel, 4,127 Brigade of Gurkhas, Gurkhas, 25,742 Army Reserve (United Kingdom), volunteer reserve perso ...
,
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...
,
Royal Marines
The Royal Marines provide the United Kingdom's amphibious warfare, amphibious special operations capable commando force, one of the :Fighting Arms of the Royal Navy, five fighting arms of the Royal Navy, a Company (military unit), company str ...
,
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the Air force, air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, on the merger of t ...
,
Volunteer or
Regular Reserves of the
British Armed Forces
The British Armed Forces are the unified military, military forces responsible for the defence of the United Kingdom, its British Overseas Territories, Overseas Territories and the Crown Dependencies. They also promote the UK's wider interests ...
.
History
In 2004, the Veteran's Badge was established by the then Minister for Veterans
Ivor Caplin to show that a person had served in the
British Armed Forces
The British Armed Forces are the unified military, military forces responsible for the defence of the United Kingdom, its British Overseas Territories, Overseas Territories and the Crown Dependencies. They also promote the UK's wider interests ...
, though the badge was exclusively awarded to Second World War Veterans at the start. This was later changed when the categories were broadened so that any veteran of the British Armed Forces and the civilian service the Air Transport Auxiliary may apply and receive one.
The aim of the badge was to make identifying veterans in public easier. The first Veteran's Badge was awarded to
Lord Healey who served at the Battle of Monte Cassino.
The badge is not awarded posthumously.
Description
The badge is an enamelled, engraved, and pinned, lapel badge with the words 'HM Armed Forces - Veteran'. It encompasses the Tri-Service, Anchor of the Royal Navy, Crossed Swords of the British Army and Eagle motif of the Royal Air Force.
See also
*
Honours Committee
The Honours Committee is a committee within the Cabinet Office of the Government of the United Kingdom formed to review nominations for national honours for merit, exceptional achievement or service. Twice yearly the Honours Committee submits f ...
*
Military awards and decorations of the United Kingdom
The British Armed Forces recognises service and personal accomplishments of individuals while a member of the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force with the awarding of various military awards and decorations, awards and decorations.
Toge ...
External links
GOV.UK Veteran's Badge Application
References
{{Reflist
Military awards and decorations of the United Kingdom
British military insignia