Unclaimed medals

MANY former servicemen and women proudly wear their medals at special events such as Remembrance Sunday, but it is surprising that there are still a large number of unclaimed medals.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) is creating a major programme which will allow those who are entitled to their medals (including family members of those who are deceased) and to achieve this, it needs volunteers to assist its research.

The plan is to create a digital service to make it very simple to claim the outstanding medals but first the MOD is looking for people to take part in its research.

A research session will last 30­ 45 minutes, will be held remotely and the MOD will arrange a suitable date and time

Anna Ellis LEAVE your Kindle or tablet at home because the book is back on holiday!

Researchers from easyJet Holidays, surveyed the nation’s holidaymakers and revealed a staggering 87 per cent insist a real book is better on holiday than any form of tech.

The research was commissioned to celebrate the operator’s new partnership with WHSmith, the global travel retailer, curating a Perfect Summer Reads edit for jetsetters.

The partnership will see the list promoted in 140 WHSmith stores, which will be co ­ branded with easyJet holidays, based in UK airports and train stations.

Seventy ­ seven per cent of Brits maintain they always read a real book on holiday, with 56 per cent saying it is one of the only times they take a proper break from looking at a screen.

More than a third (35 per cent) even love the with you.

If you have previously served in the armed forces (or have a relative that has) with an unclaimed medal, they would like to speak to as many people as possible as long as they can.

Join the session from a computer or tablet/phone, with an active internet connection and come prepared to offer completely honest and open feedback

There is no monetary incentive for this research, but the feedback will help them shape the service for all users.

If you would like to find out more, please contact DBSDIT ­ AGPFDSUserResearch@ mod.gov.uk, (perhaps not the most accessible of email addresses) and they will share more details about what to expect.