The Mayne battle plan
VC honour bid for Ulster's SAS hero
(11 December 2005 Sunday Life newspaper)
CAMPAIGNERS are to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of legendary SAS co-founder Blair Mayne later this week by stepping up efforts to have him honoured.
Wednesday marks 50 years to the day since Col 'Paddy' died aged 40 after crashing his car in Newtownards.
More than 100 MPs have signed three separate Parliamentary motions in the past year calling for him to be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.
Mayne was the most decorated British soldier of World War II.
It was the decision by MoD officials in 1945 not to upgrade his fourth DSO to a VC that is being challenged by the MPs.
Derek Harkness, a Newtownards businessman and member of the Blair Mayne Group, said: "We will campaign on and embarrass them into giving Blair his true reward.
"We have cross-party support and are hoping the wrong will finally be put right."
Dr Ian Gibson is the latest MP to table a motion in the Commons demanding a review of the decision not to award him the VC.
During the 1945 incident at Oldeburg, Mayne was called in to help clear German lines after a convoy of Canadian tanks was attacked. He drove up and down the road, taking out German sniper positions by firing a machine-gun from his waist.
Two senior officers recommended he should receive the VC to accompany the three DSOs he'd already won. In the event, he was awarded another bar to his DSO.
Mr Harkness claimed new evidence has emerged that explains why Mayne's actions were not considered worthy of the VC.
Correspondence from the time reveals that the MoD committee believed there was a "flaw" in the VC recommendation because it was not a single act of heroism. Mayne had been assisted by another officer who provided covering fire.
But the campaigners are undeterred. They already have the words of support from SAS founder David Stirling, who said it is "a monstrous injustice".
A statue of Mayne has been erected in Newtownards town centre and efforts are under way to preserve the family home at Mount Pleasant.
The former Ireland and British Lions rugby player is buried in Movilla Cemetery,Newtownards.
Spike
VC honour bid for Ulster's SAS hero
(11 December 2005 Sunday Life newspaper)
CAMPAIGNERS are to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of legendary SAS co-founder Blair Mayne later this week by stepping up efforts to have him honoured.
Wednesday marks 50 years to the day since Col 'Paddy' died aged 40 after crashing his car in Newtownards.
More than 100 MPs have signed three separate Parliamentary motions in the past year calling for him to be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.
Mayne was the most decorated British soldier of World War II.
It was the decision by MoD officials in 1945 not to upgrade his fourth DSO to a VC that is being challenged by the MPs.
Derek Harkness, a Newtownards businessman and member of the Blair Mayne Group, said: "We will campaign on and embarrass them into giving Blair his true reward.
"We have cross-party support and are hoping the wrong will finally be put right."
Dr Ian Gibson is the latest MP to table a motion in the Commons demanding a review of the decision not to award him the VC.
During the 1945 incident at Oldeburg, Mayne was called in to help clear German lines after a convoy of Canadian tanks was attacked. He drove up and down the road, taking out German sniper positions by firing a machine-gun from his waist.
Two senior officers recommended he should receive the VC to accompany the three DSOs he'd already won. In the event, he was awarded another bar to his DSO.
Mr Harkness claimed new evidence has emerged that explains why Mayne's actions were not considered worthy of the VC.
Correspondence from the time reveals that the MoD committee believed there was a "flaw" in the VC recommendation because it was not a single act of heroism. Mayne had been assisted by another officer who provided covering fire.
But the campaigners are undeterred. They already have the words of support from SAS founder David Stirling, who said it is "a monstrous injustice".
A statue of Mayne has been erected in Newtownards town centre and efforts are under way to preserve the family home at Mount Pleasant.
The former Ireland and British Lions rugby player is buried in Movilla Cemetery,Newtownards.
Spike