§ Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the campaigns since 1974 that resulted in a medal being struck, what the duration was of each campaign, and when the first medal in each case was presented. [129304]
§ Mr. CaplinSpecific campaign medals and clasps to both the General Service Medal (GSM) 1962 and, more recently, the Operational Service Medal (OSM) have been instituted for the following campaigns and operations since 1974. It is not possible to say when any given campaign started or was completed, but the dates specified in the table represent the qualifying period considered to be suitable for the award.
Medal Clasp (as required) Qualifying dates GSM Northern Ireland 14 August 1969-ongoing GSM Dhofar 1 October 1969–30 September 1976 The Rhodesia Medal 1 December 1979–20 March 1980 South Atlantic Medal 2 April 1982–14 June 1982 GSM Lebanon 7 February 1983–9 March 1984 GSM Mine Clearance Gulf of Suez 15 August 1984–15 October 1984 GSM Gulf 17 November 1986–28 February 1989 The Gulf Medal 2 August 1990–7 March 1991 GSM Kuwait 8 March 1991–30 September 1991 GSM Northern Iraq and Southern 6 April 1991–17 July 1991 Turkey GSM Air Ops Iraq 16 July 1991–18 March 2003 (Op Resinate South)
16 July 1991–30 April 2003 (Op Resinate North)
OSM Sierra Leone 5 May 2000–31 July 2002 No record was made of when these medals were first issued to eligible recipients. Medals for campaign service are generally posted direct to individuals or, if still serving, sent in batches to their Unit/Regiment/Ship/ 415W Squadron and distributed. Any formal presentation ceremony would be a local initiative organised by the commanding officer of the unit concerned.