Farron calls for National Defence Medal to honour local unsung heroes

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has called on the government to introduce a National Defence Medal (NDM) for ex-servicemen.

At present, service men and women only receive a medal if they have served in a specific campaign. Tim Farron believes that it's vital at this time of remembrance that we honour all of those who have served.

Tim said "Here in the South Lakes there are service men and women who, for example, were targets for the IRA during the Northern Ireland troubles even though they may not have formally served in Northern Ireland. There will be others who served in the Falklands after the war, but were still at risk from landmines and the same is true of soldiers who served in the Balkans. It's important that we acknowledge our debt to all these brave men and women who put themselves in harm's way for our sake"

The National Defence Medal would formally recognise and honour military service wherever undertaken from 1945 onwards. Tim is calling on the government to commission a National Defence Medal for all Her Majesties Forces who served a reasonable engagement.

Yesterday, Tim laid wreaths at the cenotaphs in Kendal and Windermere and standing alongside him at the ceremonies were many ex-service men and women who would be eligible for a National Defence Medal. The Queen has already awarded a similar medal to veterans in Australia. Tim believes that it is only right that we honour the sacrifice of UK service men and women in the same way.