Veteran's Badge
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox award
| name = Veteran's Badge
| image = File:Veteran's Badge MOD 45149106.jpg
| alt =
| caption = A Veteran's Badge in its presentation box.
| presenter =
| country = {{plainlist|*File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom}}
| type =
| eligibility =
| awarded_for = Serving in either the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force, Regular Reserves or the Volunteer Reserve (Army Reserve, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marines Reserve).
| campaign =
| status = Currently Awarded
| description =
| motto =
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| post-nominals =
| established = 2004
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The Veteran's Badge is a badge awarded by the Ministry of Defence to any person who served in the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force, Volunteer or Regular Reserves of the British Armed Forces.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/apply-medal-or-veterans-badge|title=Apply for a veterans badge or a medal|website=GOV.UK}}
History
In 2004, the Veteran's Badge was established by the then Minister for Veterans Ivor Caplin{{Cite web|url=https://support.britishlegion.org.uk/app/answers/detail/a_id/529/~/veterans-lapel-badge|title=RBL - Veterans' Lapel Badge|website=support.britishlegion.org.uk}} to show that a person had served in the British Armed Forces, though the badge was exclusively awarded to Second World War Veterans at the start.{{Cite web|url=https://www.themilitarytimes.co.uk/uncategorised/have-you-applied-for-a-veterans-badge/|title=Have you applied for a Veteran's Badge? • The Military Times|date=September 11, 2019|website=The Military Times}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mygov.scot/veterans-badge/|title=Apply for a veterans badge - mygov.scot|website=www.mygov.scot}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.journaloftradingstandards.co.uk/counterfeit-goods/military-medals-a-matter-of-honour/|title=Military medals: a matter of honour|date=November 2, 2018}}
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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/rbcimages/hm%20armed%20forces%20veterans%20badge.jpg|title = Error}}
See also
External links
- [https://www.gov.uk/apply-medal-or-veterans-badge/replace-a-medal-or-badge GOV.UK Veteran's Badge Application]