Unfortunately I need to attend an ACO members funeral and No1s are authorised.
Is it appropriate to have medal bars on display?
I am looking for a serious and informed answer, not opinions please
Yes mate.
Edit to add: full medals. Just do a quick google images check to see the scores of similar.
It varies and should normally be promulgated in advance. I have been to ACO & Service funerals where we have worn medals and I have been to one’s where only the pall bearers wore medals and the rest of us just wore our ribbons.
The default position is wear them. A funeral where uniform is requested is classed as a full formal parade, however this wishes of the family may be taken into consideration and any specific requests not to wear them honoured. So, if you haven’t been told not to, you wear them.
Regs say only bearer party - that was the case at the previous CACWO funeral and the QCS arranged and issued the admin order. Black Armbands are for WO’s and above only.
Please direct us to which “regs” these are.
Indeed - 818 seems to be saying 1SD and medals for all attendees.
I stand corrected… it use to be in QR(RAF) 174 now it says as directed much as 818 - so guess its down to the person writing the admin order. That said looking at pics, its been the bearer party… and route lining only, but then I have seen ATC funerals do what they feel as in Banner on the coffin :oops:
There is a great deal off leeway in a service funeral, as although the organisation has it’s way of doing things the family sometimes want other things. (At the last funeral I attended the Squadron banner was paraded at the request of the family).
The medals only for the bearer party is certainly something that I have seen both at Service, ATC & Police Funerals.
I’ve attended - one or two - service funerals in my time and on each occasion, EVERYONE wore medals.
From what I understand, on the occasion of WO Tonk’s funeral, the Admin Order was written by a Regiment SNCO who is connected to the ATC and it was he who decided (possibly in consultation with others?) that only selected personnel were to wear medals. It’s not unheard of.
As said above, the default setting is that everyone wears medals.
Whatever the family wants trumps any dress reg and if “we” are tikering it must be passed by the family for approval.
I went to one where it was no uniform or paraphernalia of any description at the family’s request. Caused a few rumblings but was one of the better (not really the right word) ‘service’ funerals I’ve attended as it was far more relaxed.