MOD issues Remembrance Day rule for anyone with relatives’ medals | UK | News
Let’s not forget that this year, Remembrance Sunday falls on Sunday, November 9th, and the actual Remembrance Day falls on Wednesday, November 11th.
And on this somber day of reflection as we remember those who fought and died to protect our freedoms, many people will still be awarded old war medals through their families for World War I, World War II and various other historic conflicts.
While many will keep their family’s medals locked away to keep them safe, others want to honor their sacrifice by wearing their medals at Memorial Day ceremonies.
If you decide to do this, no matter how well-intentioned, there is a little-known rule published by the Department of Defense.
He says you should only wear them on the right side of your clothing, not the left side like a former soldier or woman would.
The MOD explains: “You should only wear official decorations, medals or insignia to which you are entitled and approved to be accepted and worn. Unofficial medals should not be worn in conjunction with official orders, decorations and medals.”
“If you are the next of kin of a deceased soldier, it is common practice to wear your relative’s decorations and medals as a mark of remembrance. It is customary to wear medals on the right chest only in civilian clothing, official approval is not required to wear your relative’s medals.
“Current serving personnel should not wear their relatives’ medals or unofficial medals while wearing uniform.”
There is another rule for unofficial medals that cannot be worn alongside official medals.
He adds: “Unofficial medals, sometimes referred to as ‘commemorative’ medals, are often designed and produced by private medal companies, usually to commemorate some form of service in the Armed Forces for which no formal MOD approval has previously been given.
“These medals have not been approved by the Sovereign, are not authorized to be worn, and cannot be worn with official orders, decorations and medals.
“A practice of wearing unofficial medals mounted on a separate medal bar has recently been recorded, but this also carries no official sanction.”
