Renewed calls for SAS hero Paddy Mayne to receive a VC have been rejected, disappointing campaigners (Image: Getty)
The latest campaign for SAS legend Paddy Mayne to posthumously receive a Victoria Cross (VC) has been rejected by the Ministry of Defence.
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Blair ‘Paddy’ Mayne was one of the elite regiment’s founding members, but his VC recommendation for heroic actions in Germany during the Second World War was controversially downgraded.
In a letter, Defence Minister Lord Coaker said the Ministry of Defence (MoD) stands by the original decision not to award a VC, arguing that going back “would question the good faith and judgement of those involved”.
He said there are no records to show why the VC was downgraded to a Distinguished Service Order (DSO), adding this was endorsed by Field Marshal Montgomery.
The minister said: “It would be impossible to second guess the decisions made by military commanders at the time; to do so would be to cast doubt on their competence and integrity.
Paddy Mayne’s reputation is legendary and played a vital role in the Second World War (Image: Getty)
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“However, I am certain that the Field Marshal would not have approved the decision if he had thought it not right nor fair.”
Mayne was born in 1915 in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland. He was one of the most highly decorated soldiers of the Second World War.
He first served with the Royal Ulster Rifles before joining the Commandos, Britain’s new amphibious assault troops, and then the SAS.
The elite unit’s first operation in North Africa, 1941, was a disaster. Mayne is widely credited as being the first person to bring success to the SAS after a daring raid on an enemy airfield in Libya destroyed dozens of aircraft.
Mayne went on to personally destroy more than 100 enemy aircraft during the North Africa campaign, a significant victory for the Allies over the German forces led by General Erwin Rommel.
Supporters say Paddy Mayne is a “hero who deserves the highest recognition” (Image: Getty)
After SAS founder David Stirling was captured in January 1943, Mayne took command of 1st SAS Regiment and led his troops through campaigns across Europe, including taking part in D-Day in 1944 which ultimately led to Germany’s defeat.
The unit, led by Mayne, worked behind enemy lines with French resistance fighters to wreak havoc for months, sabotaging infrastructure, carrying out ambushes and calling in air strikes.
Mayne has been called the bravest man to never win the VC – the highest military decoration for gallantry.
He was nominated for the award after risking his life to rescue his troops from a German ambush in 1945.
The nomination was downgraded to a third bar of the DSO – the fourth time he had received the illustrious award after being recognised for his bravery in Africa, Sicily and France.
The Victoria Cross is the highest military award for gallantry (Image: Getty)
SAS historian Damien Lewis, who has been backing the fresh calls for Mayne to receive a VC, said the response by the minister is “most unfortunate, precipitate and simply not good enough”.
He told the Express: “The MoD statement raises far more questions than it answers.
“What efforts has MoD made to substantiate the claim that ‘no records remain’ as to why Mayne was denied the VC? We know this to be incorrect. Records do exist. Who did the MoD consult? I, for one, wasn’t asked.”
Lord Coaker explained it is Government policy for medals to not be awarded retrospectively, adding the current honours and awards system has “stood the test of time”.
He added: “The agreed policy is that decisions were made by those concerned at the time to the best of their ability, given the evidence before them, and, in the great majority of cases, their very considerable experience of war and of the application of the honours system.
“To go back on these decisions so long after the event would question the good faith and judgement of those involved.”
Mr Lewis pointed to how the US and Australia have retrospectively handed out awards in similar circumstances.
Paddy Mayne was very intelligent and a talented athlete, representing the British Lions at rugby (Image: Getty)
The expert said: “Are our veterans somehow less deserving of being honoured for their heroism?
“Is that the message this Government and the MoD really want to be sending out to our troops right now?
“Are the MoD unaware that there is an Early Day Motion on this very issue sponsored by Jim Shannon, the MP for Mayne’s hometown area in Northern Ireland, about to go before Parliament, supported by numerous other cross-party MPs?”
Calls for Mayne to receive a VC were renewed following the release of the second season of the popular BBC show SAS Rogue Heroes.
The wartime drama follows the story of the SAS during the Second World War, although the depiction of Mayne in the series has been criticised.
The legendary figure is portrayed as foul-mouthed and reckless, while in reality, he was described as softly spoken and empathetic.
Experts and relatives of Mayne are among those who have criticised the hit show.
Mayne was one of the most decorated soldiers of the Second World War (Image: Getty)
Thousands of people have signed an online petition calling for Mayne to posthumously receive a VC, while Mayne’s great-nephew and three former defence secretaries have also backed the calls.
Theories as to why his VC was downgraded include Mayne’s tendency to speak his mind to senior officers, no matter their rank, and the SAS being branded as “raiders of the thug variety” within high command.
Lord Coaker’s comments were in response to a letter from the DUP’s Peter Martin, Member of the Legislative Assembly for North Down.
Mr Martin told the Express he was “deeply disappointed”.
He said: “His [Mayne] extraordinary bravery and leadership during World War Two, particularly with the SAS, remain legendary. Blair Mayne’s legacy endures, and his contribution to the war effort is beyond question.
“My Party colleague Jim Shannon MP has been tireless in Parliament, making the strongest possible case for an exception to be made. This campaign will not end here. Blair Mayne is a hero who deserves the highest recognition.”
The SAS played a crucial role in the Second World War (Image: Getty)
Mayne was a talented athlete and, before joining the military, represented the British Lions at rugby.
At the end of the Second World War, he returned to civilian life and worked as a solicitor, becoming Secretary to the Law Society of Northern Ireland.
He died in a car accident in December 1955, aged 40.
No UK member of the SAS has ever been awarded a VC.