Bomber Command Clasp

Bomber Command Clasp

(click on picture)

Recently announced by the UK Government for those who flew at least one operational mission over Germany and France: see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21583176

The Bomber Command Clasp is granted to the aircrew of Bomber Command who served for at least sixty days, or completed a tour of operations, on a Bomber Command operational unit and flew at least one operational sortie on a Bomber Command operational unit from the 3 September 1939 to the 8 May 1945 inclusive. This applies to Servicemen after they have met the minimum qualification for the 1939-45 Star, which in many cases, though not exclusively, is sixty days.

Forms and Information

More information and an application form is available from the UK Veterans web-site: http://veterans-uk.info/arctic_star_index.htm

Alternatively, a copy of the application form and a description of the eligibility criteria are available below (both documents in PDF format, requiring Adobe Reader):

Bomber Command Clasp Application Form (print off the form, complete and either email or post to the address on the form)
Eligibility Criteria

RAF Aircrew Applications

Apply to the UK MOD address as above.

Commonwealth Forces Aircrew Applications

Do not waste your time applying to the UK MOD address above! On the basis of actual experience, you will only receive, eventually(!), the following response:

"... as your service was with Commonwealth Forces we are unable to assess your case. 
In order to apply for the Bomber Command Clasp you will need to contact ..."

followed by an appropriate address such as the Australian High Commission London for RAAF, etc. From this it was possible to obtain the address for RAAF applications.

RAAF

Apply to the address below (mailing address only, no email or online facility was provided):

The Directorate of Honours and Awards
T-4-13H
Post Office Box 7952
Canberra BC ACT 2610
Australia

The application form below will also be of use as the application to the Australian Authorities require this instead of the UK MoD form.

Application for the Issue of Medals and/or Clasps (Australia), Form AD807

NB: If you are applying on behalf of a veteran is still living, before the Australian authority is able to complete the assessment they require a signed application from the veteran or a certified true copy of a Power of Attorney (POA) if he is unable to sign the application himself. Unfortunately they are unable to accept an application submitted on his behalf without his signature or a signature of the POA.

RCAF

For details of how to apply and application forms see:

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/feature/bomber_command
http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/forms/document/505 (although on testing form download this failed - repeatedly)

Follow this link for news of the Government of Canada Presenting the First Bomber Command Bars.

RNZAF

For details of how to apply and application forms see:

550 Squadron Representation at No. 10 Downing Street

Sam Lipfriend of 550 Squadron Association was one of a number of Bomber Command veterans invited to No. 10 Downing Street on the 19th March 2013 to receive their Bomber Command Clasps from the Prime Minister David Cameron. Artic Convoy veterans were also among those invited to meet the Prime Minister that day.

Photos courtesy of Sam Lipfriend

Photo	Description
	PM David Cameron with Sam Lipfriend
	Sam and Pam Lipfriend
	Sam and Pam Lipfriend
	Sam and Pam Lipfriend