Comments on: R.I.P Geoffrey Thomas Barnes (M.1945c-50b) http://www.olddovorians.com/2010/06/r-i-p-geoffrey-thomas-barnes-m-1945c-50b/ Bringing Old Dovorians together Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:44:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Charles Lovelace, FMM. http://www.olddovorians.com/2010/06/r-i-p-geoffrey-thomas-barnes-m-1945c-50b/comment-page-1/#comment-199 Charles Lovelace, FMM. Mon, 11 Jul 2011 08:23:47 +0000 http://www.olddovorians.com/?p=183#comment-199 Further to the above, the signatories of my award for the Flavian Medal of Merit were also sent supporting letters from Australia and New Zealand. In June 2011, the NDM campaign HQ received a letter of support from Rear. Adml. Ken Doolan, AO., RAN on behalf of the Returned and Services League of Australia indicating full support of his membership for the UK to strike a National Defence Medal, similar to their own medal and as promulgated by H.M.The Queen, fount of all honour.They have some 240,000 members and are the Australian equivalent to the Royal British Legion. Further to the above, the signatories of my award for the Flavian Medal of Merit were also sent supporting letters from Australia and New Zealand.
In June 2011, the NDM campaign HQ received a letter of support from Rear. Adml. Ken Doolan, AO., RAN on behalf of the Returned and Services League of Australia indicating full support of his membership for the UK to strike a National Defence Medal, similar to their own medal and as promulgated by H.M.The Queen, fount of all honour.They have some 240,000 members and are the Australian equivalent to the Royal British Legion.

]]> By: Earle Ryan http://www.olddovorians.com/2010/06/r-i-p-geoffrey-thomas-barnes-m-1945c-50b/comment-page-1/#comment-106 Earle Ryan Sat, 11 Sep 2010 16:51:26 +0000 http://www.olddovorians.com/?p=183#comment-106 I am not as surprised as Julia. I knew Charles way back in August 1958 when we were in the same Royal Marine Squad ( 931) at Lympstone Devon. Although of small stature Charles have the courage of a lion and the determination to succeed in life. I have only recently made contact with Charles after 52years. It has been a pleasure for me that Charles and I were able to update our lives. I am most proud of Charles and his life achievements. Long may they continue Earle Ryan ( Former RM133496) I am not as surprised as Julia. I knew Charles way back in August 1958 when we were in the same Royal Marine Squad ( 931) at Lympstone Devon. Although of small stature Charles have the courage of a lion and the determination to succeed in life. I have only recently made contact with Charles after 52years. It has been a pleasure for me that Charles and I were able to update our lives. I am most proud of Charles and his life achievements. Long may they continue
Earle Ryan ( Former RM133496)

]]> By: Julie Dickinson http://www.olddovorians.com/2010/06/r-i-p-geoffrey-thomas-barnes-m-1945c-50b/comment-page-1/#comment-103 Julie Dickinson Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:43:53 +0000 http://www.olddovorians.com/?p=183#comment-103 Hi Dad Suprised to see this information about you online, but very proud of you. XXXX Hi Dad

Suprised to see this information about you online, but very proud of you. XXXX

]]> By: Charles Lovelace, FMM. http://www.olddovorians.com/2010/06/r-i-p-geoffrey-thomas-barnes-m-1945c-50b/comment-page-1/#comment-49 Charles Lovelace, FMM. Sun, 01 Aug 2010 14:26:09 +0000 http://www.olddovorians.com/?p=183#comment-49 'Mea Culpa.' For Farnhan please read Farnham in Surrey. Just put it down to my dotage. Now in a moment of hubris I will detail the Flavian Medal of Merit with its transcript. However the Society does not seek publicity other than to honour those to whom a medal has been awarded. The first UK Flavian medals were presented by Henry Elwes, Esq., JP, Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, representing H.M.The Queen, on Friday, November the 14th 2003. On the 14th of November 2008, I was both honoured and privileged to receive this award at a private yet official ceremony. Transcript of Award of the FLAVIAN MEDAL OF MERIT. This is to certify that Charles Lovelace has been awarded the FLAVIAN MEDAL OF MERIT for an act of determination in overcoming prejudice, inequality or injustice as described herein: In that in 2008 has taken determined action to fight for the rights of armed forces veterans of the United Kingdom by mounting and supporting a nationwide campaign to gain equality and recognition for all those who have served their country. On behalf of the International Board of Directors: Signatories: USA, Canada, Denmark, Guyana, Latvia and the United Kingdom. This award rightly caused consternation with the wretched 'bean counters' at the MoD and with the graceless Minister for Veterans. Even worse the Rt. Hon. Michael Mates, Esq., MP, (Cons.) tabled an Early Day Motion in support of our cause, securing nearly 200 cross party supporters. The campaign is ongoing, gathering both in strength and popular support from veterans, service organizations and current serving members of the Armed Forces. ‘Mea Culpa.’ For Farnhan please read Farnham in Surrey. Just put it down to my dotage.
Now in a moment of hubris I will detail the Flavian Medal of Merit with its transcript.
However the Society does not seek publicity other than to honour those to whom a medal has been awarded.
The first UK Flavian medals were presented by Henry Elwes, Esq., JP, Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, representing H.M.The Queen, on Friday, November the 14th 2003.
On the 14th of November 2008, I was both honoured and privileged to receive this award at a private yet official ceremony.
Transcript of Award of the FLAVIAN MEDAL OF MERIT.
This is to certify that Charles Lovelace has been awarded the FLAVIAN MEDAL OF MERIT for an act of determination in overcoming prejudice, inequality or injustice as described herein:
In that in 2008 has taken determined action to fight for the rights of armed forces veterans of the United Kingdom by mounting and supporting a nationwide campaign to gain equality and recognition for all those who have served their country.
On behalf of the International Board of Directors:
Signatories: USA, Canada, Denmark, Guyana, Latvia and the United Kingdom.
This award rightly caused consternation with the wretched ‘bean counters’ at the MoD
and with the graceless Minister for Veterans. Even worse the Rt. Hon. Michael Mates, Esq., MP, (Cons.) tabled an Early Day Motion in support of our cause, securing nearly 200 cross party supporters.
The campaign is ongoing, gathering both in strength and popular support from veterans, service organizations and current serving members of the Armed Forces.

]]> By: Charles Lovelace, FMM. http://www.olddovorians.com/2010/06/r-i-p-geoffrey-thomas-barnes-m-1945c-50b/comment-page-1/#comment-36 Charles Lovelace, FMM. Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:32:17 +0000 http://www.olddovorians.com/?p=183#comment-36 As an OD, I was entertained by the late Donald Luddington, in HK when I went to the HK Police under contract with the Crown Agents for one tour of duty only (1966-1969). A fellow officer married his daughter Anne. I commanded a riot unit and served in Special Branch. Like G.T. Barnes, I also was in St. Martins House from 1953-1957. My achievements were rather more modest.. However I was a house prefect, a 2XV rugger cap, a member of the shooting eight, a Sgt in the CCF and a PTI. I also belonged to various clubs and greatly enjoyed modern languages. Whilst at college both I and the late T.W.P. Simmonds, also in St. Martins, joined the RMFVR in 1956 at the City of London Centre. We both attended RMFVR 14 day camps, greatly encouraged by N.E.T.Tuckwell, Esq., house master of Leamington and head of the CCF. In 1958, I entered the Royal Marines for national service.I was commissioned within eight months, winning the 'coveted green beret' serving in the UK and on HMS Undine. (Cod War) Thereafter I served with the RMFVR/R until 1966. I was also briefly attached to 43 Cdo RM. Returning from HK and as a multi- linguist I worked for the Racal Group.Later, I ran my own successful defence procurement company and in the interim joined the Queen's 6/7(V)HSF as the Farnhan Pln.Cdr. Years later I co-founded the National Defence Medal Campaign Society and was awarded the international Flavian Medal of Merit for services directly attributed to this campaign which is current. I am happily married with my Chinese wife. We have a graduate son working within the MoD a married daughter, graduate son-in-law and last but not least, Sophie our wonderful granddaughter who will be four in October 2010. As an OD, I was entertained by the late Donald Luddington, in HK when I went to the HK Police under contract with the Crown Agents for one tour of duty only (1966-1969). A fellow officer married his daughter Anne. I commanded a riot unit and served in Special Branch.
Like G.T. Barnes, I also was in St. Martins House from 1953-1957. My achievements were rather more modest..
However I was a house prefect, a 2XV rugger cap, a member of the shooting eight, a Sgt in the CCF and a PTI. I also belonged to various clubs and greatly enjoyed modern languages.
Whilst at college both I and the late T.W.P. Simmonds, also in St. Martins, joined the RMFVR in 1956 at the City of London Centre. We both attended RMFVR 14 day camps, greatly encouraged by N.E.T.Tuckwell, Esq., house master of Leamington and head of the CCF.
In 1958, I entered the Royal Marines for national service.I was commissioned within eight months, winning the ‘coveted green beret’ serving in the UK and on HMS Undine. (Cod War) Thereafter I served with the RMFVR/R until 1966. I was also briefly attached to 43 Cdo RM.
Returning from HK and as a multi- linguist I worked for the Racal Group.Later, I ran my own successful defence procurement company and in the interim joined the Queen’s 6/7(V)HSF as the Farnhan Pln.Cdr.
Years later I co-founded the National Defence Medal Campaign Society and was awarded the international Flavian Medal of Merit for services directly attributed to this campaign which is current.
I am happily married with my Chinese wife. We have a graduate son working within the MoD
a married daughter, graduate son-in-law and last but not least, Sophie our wonderful granddaughter who will be four in October 2010.

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