As detailed in the media release, the Minister of Defence, Hon Peeni Henare, the Government has approved the recognition of the service of NZ Armed Forces personnel who served in South East Asia between 1 February 1959 and 31 January 1974 but did not deploy into combat areas such as Borneo or Vietnam. These personnel are now eligible for the award of the New Zealand Operational Service Medal (NZOSM).
This recognition is something that the RNZN Communicators Association has been battling for over six years, engaging with several Chiefs of Defence Force and numerous Ministers of Defence in the period. Finally getting the recognition is due in no small way to the efforts of the Communicators Association’s committee. Along with another interested ex-Service group, the South East Asia Veterans Association (SEAVA), they have consistently pushed for NZ Defence Force personnel to be given equivalent recognition to that accorded to Australian Defence Force personnel, who they served alongside in the same operations and areas.
The eligibility requirement is for seven or more day’s service posted or attached to the Far East Strategic Reserve (FESR) or the Australia New Zealand United Kingdom (ANZUK) Force during the identified dates. Surviving eligible Veterans or next-of-kin of deceased eligible veterans are required to apply for the award of the medal.
The period involved includes many deployments by various HMNZ Ships to the FESR or ANZUK Force. A good many, if not the majority, of the personnel who served in some of those ships, have since crossed the bar. The Association’s committee will initiate a project to identify deceased Communications Branch personnel who would be eligible for the medal, so that their next-of-kin (where traceable) can be told of their relative’s entitlement and helped to apply for the medal. This will be a considerable task, trying to identify ships’ that deployed and when, and the names of the Communicators in the ship. Anyone communicator who can recall names of any of the members of the Communications Branch who have ‘crossed the bar‘ who may have served in the FESR or was part of the ANZUK Force Unit is requested to leave a comment to this post with their names.
A copy of the full report by the Medallic Recognition Joint Working Group can be read by clicking this LINK.
I would personally like to acknowledge the contribution of previous Presidents and committee members in this ongoing campaign. Although not the complete answer we hoped for, finally getting recognition makes everyone’s efforts worthwhile.