FIFTY years after the end of the Second World War, three governments decided to pay a tribute to the British forces who were personally involved in the defence of their country.

They were Russia, with the Russian Convoy Medal, Malta with the Malta Defence Medal, and the Greek War Medal, awarded to all those who fought in the Greek theatre of war. They were all classified as 50th anniversary awards.

The British Ministry of Defence accepted the three medals, but at the same time informed the services that as they were all awarded more than five statutory years after the period of service they were intended to commemorate, they could not be worn on official parades.

Eventually, after many associations had put the pressure on, the Ministry Of Defence (MOD) relented and agreed that two of the medals could be officially accepted and worn, ie the Russian and Malta medals. The Greek War Medal was refused the same privilege, despite the fact that thousands of allied forces died or were taken prisoner in that theatre of war.

In the battle for Crete alone, besides the military losses, upwards of 24 Royal Naval warships were destroyed, sunk or seriously incapacitated and 1,800 sailors died. It is now time that the MOD, with the approval of the Queen, classifies all three medals in the same category and for whatever reason that it was originally refused, the War Medal awarded by the Greek republic should receive the same status as the Russian and Malta Medals, it was just as hard to come by.

Bernard Hallas,

Ex Royal Marine,

Hawthorne Avenue,

Haxby, York.

Updated: 11:24 Monday, October 28, 2002