Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for UK Armed Forces Veterans Badge?

To promote recognition of veterans by the wider British public the unique and unifying symbol of the HM Armed Forces Veterans Badge is available to all those who have served in HM Armed Forces.

The first veterans badge was issued to Lord Healy, a veteran of the Battle for Monte Cassino, on 10 May 2004, which initiated the roll out of the badge to the generation who served in the Second World War. Since then eligibility to apply for the badge has been extended in sequential phases and now all veterans are eligible to apply.

How to apply

You can apply to the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency at the following website www.veterans-uk.info or by completing the application form.

Please ensure you complete the form including your service details as fully as possible. You may post or fax your completed form to the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency. Another option is to download the form, complete it electronically, save the form and return to the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency by email. If you wish, you may call the Freephone number to apply. Please ensure you have to hand all the details asked for on the application form.

Postal address:

Service Personnel and Veterans Agency,
Norcross
Thornton-Cleveleys,
Lancashire,
FY5 3WP

Fax:0253 330561(UK Only)
+44 1253 330561 (Overseas)
Email: SPVA-VeteransBadges@mod.uk
Freephone Helpline
Free: 0800 169 2277 (UK only)
Free: 0800 169 3458 (Minicom UK only)
+44 1253 866043 (Overseas)

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How do I claim for Campaign Medals?

The vast majority of Service personnel receive campaign medals awarded to them while they are still in the Armed Forces, as they are required to be worn for ceremonial duty and other functions for which their uniform is required. If, however an individual leaves the Armed Forces before the medal can be issued, it is his or her responsibility to claim them from the Ministry of Defence Medal Office. As a result, there are still many veterans who have not received the medals to which they are entitled. By far the largest group of veterans were those who were in the Armed Forces during the Second World War.

To claim medals which never before have been issued, replace stolen/destroyed medals (see below for special instructions), or find out if an individual is entitled to a medal, please write to the medal office at the address below. The following information (or as much as possible) will be required:

Service Number, Regiment/Corps (Army/RM), Branch/Trade (RAF and RN), Full Name, Date of Birth, Rank and date of discharge, plus, of course, your current name and address.

Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA)
(Joint Personnel Administration Centre)
MOD Medal Office
Building 250
Imjin Barracks
Gloucester
GL3 1HW

JPAC Enquiry Centre
Fax: 0141 224 3586
Free Phone: 0800 085 3600
Overseas Civ: +44 (0) 141 224 3600
Mil 94560 3600

www.veterans-uk.info and follow the links for medals

Service Records

Prior to 1972 all RN personnel were given their service record when they discharged. For pension purposes the RN retained pay details. Therefore the only information held on RN personnel who served prior to 1972 are their Service details (number, rank, name etc) and a list of dates and ships/shore bases.

Certificate of Kinship

Information from the personal record of a deceased Ex-serviceman/woman can be released only with the consent of the official Next of Kin. The Certificate of Kinship form aims to identify whose consent is required and the data you provide will be used only in connection with your enquiry. This form is retained for 2 years should you have subsequent queries.

A Subject Access Requests (SAR) form needs to be completed in order to access records.
The following address should be used for all Royal Navy and Royal Marine Enquiries
RN Disclosures Cell
Room 48
West Battery
Whale Island
Portsmouth
Hampshire
PO2 8DX
Telephone: 02392 628779/ 02392 628781

www.veterans-uk.info and follow the links for Service records