AJEX campaign secures long-overdue medal for 91-year old veteran
Corporal Barry Bernard Brier, who served in the Royal Air Force between 1951 and 1953, is the 301st ex-service person to receive their due military honours via the AJEX initiative
91-year-old Jewish veteran Corporal Barry Bernard Brier was finally presented with his long overdue National Service Medal on Wednesday 11 March, more than seventy years after completing his service, in a proud moment witnessed by three generations of his family.
Barry’s medal was secured through the AJEX Medal Project, led by Dan Fox, which works to ensure veterans receive recognition for their service. The initiative has now reclaimed more than 300 medals for veterans and their families who were never formally awarded them, with Barry’s becoming the 301st medal recovered.
Barry completed his National Service with the Royal Air Force (RAF) between 1951 and 1953, serving as a Corporal and working as both a small arms instructor and drill instructor. Initially training in Cheltenham, he later served in Wales, teaching fellow servicemen how to safely handle and operate firearms and helping guard RAF airfields.
His passion for discipline and marksmanship began even earlier. At just 11 years old, Barry joined the Army Cadets, where he discovered the comradeship and structure that would shape his life.
“I enjoyed the comradeship and the structure,” Barry recalled. “Everything had to be clean and perfect.”
Even today, Barry keeps his shoes immaculately polished, a habit carried proudly from his days in uniform.
This week’s medal presentation came about through an unexpected friendship. Barry and Stan Kay are both residents of Jewish Blind & Disabled, where they met and became friends. Through their conversations, Stan learned about Barry’s military service and realised he had never received his National Service medal.
A devoted AJEX member who volunteers his time photographing events and supporting veterans, Stan worked with Dan Fox for nearly two years to track down and secure Barry’s medal. The presentation was arranged as a complete surprise, even to Barry’s family.
AJEX honorary president Mike Bluestone, who said: “It was my privilege to present Barry Brier with the Royal British Legion National Service Medal, recognising his service to his country.”
For Barry, a proud father of two children, with grandchildren and a great-grandchild. receiving the medal was deeply emotional.
“After all this time not knowing whether I would ever have one, it was fantastic,” he said. “It brought back so many memories.”
Barry hopes to attend the AJEX Parade this November with his family, proudly wearing the medal that finally recognises his service.
- To learn more about the AJEX Medal Project, click here.
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