Courtesy of John Ross 4th June 2014 Dear Prime Minister On the 4th July 2014, the family of Cpl Stewart McLaughlin, who was killed in action, whilst fighting on Mount Longdon, during the Falklands War, will be handing a petition into 10 Downing Street for your consideration. The family will be accompanied on a short march to Downing Street, by members of the 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, who served alongside Stewart in 1982. There will be other past and present members of the Regiment, family members, and those who served in other Regiments and Services, all supporting the McLaughlin family. The family have been involved in a protracted campaign, to gain recognition for Cpl McLaughlin, for his exemplary, leadership, bravery, and example during the battle on Mount Longdon. His actions were witnessed by many. In 2013 Lt Gen Sir Hew Pike, who in 1982 commanded 3 Para, took the unprecedented step, of writing a retrospective citation for Cpl McLaughlin. This has been presented to the relevant authorities at the MOD, however the persistent response has been, an acknowledgement of the merits of an award, for Cpl McLaughlin, but unfortunately the guidelines in place do not facilitate retrospective awards. The actions of your Government in relation to retrospective campaign medals for the men who served on the Arctic convoys, and Bomber Command, was absolutely, the right decision, and welcomed and acknowledged by veterans from every era. I would ask that the same criteria be applied in respect of individual awards. The continued stance, and refusal to consider retrospective awards for individuals, when it can be proven that their actions were deserving of recognition, is fundamentally and morally wrong. I have listened to the various reasons, for this policy, and they are neither, just, or indeed logical. I have not gone into great detail in respect of Cpl McLaughlin, as the family will be submitting a substantial portfolio, of information, which I would respectfully request that you, personally read. I would again respectfully ask, that this matter is dealt with on merit, if that is the case, then there can be no denying, as stated by many senior military figures, that Cpl McLaughlin fully deserves to be recognised. Regardless of precedent, an appropriate posthumous award, should be conferred upon this extraordinarily brave soldier. I would also ask, that if you are available on the 4th July, that you personally meet the family. Whilst remembrance for many, and without meaning to be disrespectful, is the donning of a poppy, and a trip to a war memorial, in November, for the family members and comrades of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, for this great country, remembrance is every day for the rest of their lives. Yours sincerely John Ross
Posted on: Wed, 04 Jun 2014 20:29:41 +0000
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