The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has announced that former British Armed Forces personnel who were discharged due to their sexuality, will now be able to have their medals restored.
For many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) veterans, their medals were forfeited due to a historic ban on being homosexual in the military, which was not lifted until 2000. This recent announcement underlines the MOD’s commitment to ensure it is an organisation that fully welcomes and endorses LGBT+ personnel.
The Army and the Corps fully supports the decision to implement this policy and in response to the injustice that has now been acknowledged and addressed by the MOD, Regimental Headquarters The Royal Logistic Corps wishes to offer assistance with medal restoration.
How will the MOD consider applications?
The service is open to affected veterans and the next of kin of veterans who are now deceased. Where available, service records will be examined to confirm that applicants meet the criteria for restoration and there must be clear evidence that discharge from the service and forfeiture of medals was for a reason connected with sexuality and that there were no other significant issues which were the cause of dismissal.
How to apply
Applications for the restoration of medals should be made to the MOD Medal Office. Applications should include a covering letter summarising the circumstances of the discharge from the Armed Forces and the completed medals application form. All documents should be sent to:
MOD Medal Office
Room G36
Innsworth House
Imjin Barracks
Gloucester
GL3 1HW
Cases will then be assessed and passed to the relevant Service for further action. The Army will investigate these cases and make recommendations to the Defence Council on restoration. For more information, please complete a contact form here: https://www.royallogisticcorps.co.uk/contact/
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