Guidance

Pre-1967 LGBT veterans: apply for restorative measures

Published 12 December 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pre-1967-lgbt-veterans-apply-for-restorative-measures/pre-1967-lgbt-veterans-apply-for-restorative-measures

What is this guide for? 

If you or someone you know served in HM Armed Forces prior to 1967 and was impacted by historic law prohibiting same-sex sexual activity, you/they may be eligible for restorative measures. 

Historic law refers to any civilian or Service law that prohibited consensual same-sex sexual activity which was abolished by the Sexual Offences Act 1967. 

This guide provides information on all non-financial restorative measures being provided by the Ministry of Defence and covers:

  • restorative measures
  • eligibility criteria
  • application processes
  • other relevant information for applicants, including expected timelines.

Who can apply for the restorative measures? 

  • Anyone, regardless of sexuality, gender identity or serving status, who was affected by historic law while serving in HM Armed Forces prior to 1967.
  • Persons of Sufficient Interest, including Next of Kin, to a deceased veteran who was affected by historic law while serving in HM Armed Forces prior to 1967 (see the full definition under ‘Persons of Sufficient Interest criteria and definition’).

The restorative measures cover a variety of different circumstances. Check your eligibility for each measure, as not all restorative measures will apply to everyone.  

How do I claim restorative measures? 

We have separated the restorative measures into two sections. This is to help you understand which measures you may be eligible for and how to apply for them.   

  • Section one: New restorative measures. These restorative measures were some of those implemented as a result of the LGBT Veterans Independent Review. Defence has recently extended the eligibility for these four measures to include veterans who served prior to 1967.
  • Section two: Pre-existing restorative measures. These measures were already in progress, or available, before the LGBT Veterans Independent Review was published.

The new restorative measures and pre-existing restorative measures have different application processes. To find information and application forms for all non-financial restorative measures, visit Pre-1967 LGBT veterans: apply for restorative measures.

Please only apply for the restorative measures you believe you, or the applicant, are eligible for. 

How to apply

You can apply for the new restorative measures listed in section one by completing the relevant application form below. 

If you would like to apply for all of the new restorative measures at once, you can do so by submitting one of the forms below – you do not need to apply more than once. 

To find out more about Persons of Sufficient Interest, including a full definition, the different types, and evidence you need to provide to prove your relationship, read the ‘Person of Sufficient Interest criteria and definition’ section.

All application forms can be found at Pre-1967 LGBT veterans: apply for restorative measures.

How long will it take? 

You will receive confirmation of your application by email or post. The time it will take to process your application depends on the measures you’re applying for, but you should be contacted by Defence within six months of applying. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to provide updates on applications before this point. 

Section 1 – New restorative measures 

This section provides information on each restorative measure, including eligibility and how to apply.

Table of eligibility

Restorative measure All veterans A Person of Sufficient Interest*
Publishing of Service details in The Gazette Former officers only Former officers only
Restoration of rank/commission Yes Where there are no related convictions
Qualification of an administrative discharge Yes Yes
Replacement discharge papers where a discharge or dismissal is disregarded/qualified Yes Yes

Service details published in The Gazette 

Description 

If you are a former officer, you can apply to have your Service details published in The Gazette, as part of the official record. This is an alternative to reinstating former officers to the Service Retired List (as this is no longer published). 

Eligibility 

  • A former officer who served prior to 1967 and was affected by historic law.
  • A Person of Sufficient Interest to a deceased, former officer who served prior to 1967 and was affected by historic law.

Defence will use the Service details provided to confirm Service as an officer prior to 1967. No further evidence is required.  

How to apply

Complete the application form at Pre-1967 LGBT veterans: apply for restorative measures.

Confirmation of the veteran’s details being published will be sent by post or email.

Transgender veterans should refer to the ‘Guidance for transgender veterans’ section.

The Gazette’s privacy notice can be found on the Gazette’s website.

Restoration of rank/commission

Description

You can apply to restore your rank and/or commission in Service records, held by Defence, if you were demoted as a result of a discharge/dismissal based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Eligibility

  • A veteran who was demoted as a result of a discharge or dismissal based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • A Person of Sufficient Interest to a deceased veteran who was demoted as a result of a discharge or dismissal, based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Any convictions must first be Disregarded.

How to apply

Complete the application form at Pre-1967 LGBT veterans: apply for restorative measures.

Due to changes required to underlying regulations, updating your Service record may not take place until May 2025. However, you will be informed on the outcome of your application as soon as possible.

Qualification of an administrative discharge

Description

You can apply to have an administrative discharge, which was based solely on sexual orientation or gender identity, qualified.

Successful applicants’ records will be amended or annotated to record the discharge reason as being “pursuant to historic law which has now been abolished and is now considered unfair.”

Eligibility

  • A veteran who was administratively discharged prior to 1967, solely based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • A Person of Sufficient Interest to a deceased veteran who was administratively discharged prior to 1967, based solely on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

How to apply

Complete the application form at Pre-1967 LGBT veterans: apply for restorative measures.

Due to changes required to underlying regulations, these changes may not be made until May 2025. However, you will receive the outcome of the application as soon as the outcome has been reached.

Replacement discharge papers

Description

You can apply to have a Certificate of Service issued. Please note, discharge reasons are not stated on the Certificate of Service.

Eligibility

  • A veteran who served prior to 1967 and was affected by historic law.
  • A Person of Sufficient Interest to a deceased veteran who served prior to 1967 and was affected by historic law.

Defence will use Service details provided to confirm that replacement discharge papers are appropriate. No further evidence is required.

If you have applied for the qualification of administrative discharge, or the restoration of rank, an outcome will need to be reached on those measures before a Certificate of Service can be issued. 

How to apply

Complete the application form at Pre-1967 LGBT veterans: apply for restorative measures.

You can state whether you would like your Service number included on the Certificate of Service on your application form.

Section 2 – Pre-existing restorative measures 

The restorative measures in this section were already in progress, or available, before the LGBT Veterans Independent Review was published. This means they require different application forms and processes to the new restorative measures in section one. 

This section provides information on each restorative measure, including eligibility, and signposting to application forms.

Restorative measure All veterans A Person of Sufficient Interest*
Armed Forces Veterans’ Badge (recommendation 4) Yes Only those in receipt of a War Widow’s/Widowers pension and recipients of the Survivors Guaranteed Income Payment
Restoration of medals withheld or withdrawn (recommendations 5 & 6) Yes Where there are no related convictions
HM Armed Forces Veterans’ Card (recommendation 9) Yes N/A
The Disregard & Pardon scheme (recommendation 25) Yes N/A

Armed Forces Veterans’ Badge

Description

You can apply for a free HM Armed Forces Veterans’ Lapel Badge. This badge aims to raise the profile of veterans, helping the public to recognise your Service.

Eligibility

  • If you have served in HM Armed Forces, including Volunteer and Regular Reserves.
  • You cannot apply if you served in the Armed Forces of another country, or if you served alongside the UK Armed Forces e.g., serving in the Royal Australian Air Force or Royal Canadian Navy.
  • Only Next of Kin in receipt of a War Widow’s/Widower’s pension and recipients of the Survivors Guaranteed Income Payment.

How to apply

For more information, and to access the online application form, visit Apply for or replace a medal or veterans badge.

If your application is successful, the badge will be posted to you.

Restoration of medals

Description

If you were discharged or dismissed solely on the basis of your sexual orientation, you can apply for any medals that were withheld or forfeited as a result.

Eligibility

Veterans who earned a medal(s) during their Service in any of the following:

  • Royal Navy
  • Royal Marines
  • Army
  • Royal Air Force
  • Home Guard
  • Reserve Forces

Any related convictions will first need to be Disregarded.

You must meet the eligibility requirements for the medal you’re applying for.

How to apply

For more information, and to access the online application form, visit Military Awards Commemorations.

If your application is successful, the medal will be posted to you.

HM Armed Forces Veteran Card

Description

If you served in the UK Armed Forces, you are eligible for a HM Armed Forces Veteran Card.

This card enables veterans to easily verify their Service to the NHS, their local authority, and charities. This helps with accessing support and services, where needed.

Eligibility

Veterans who served in the UK Armed Forces and have a UK address.

How to apply

You do not need to apply for the HM Armed Forces Veterans Card if you have left the Forces after 16 December 2018, as Defence automatically issues this to all Service leavers.

If you left on, or before, 16 December 2018, you can access the online application form at Apply for an HM Armed Forces Veteran Card.

The application process for veterans who live abroad is expected to launch in 2025. The Pre-1967 veterans: apply to restorative measures - GOV.UK page will signpost to information about this, once it is available.

Disregard and Pardon scheme

Description

If you have a conviction for same-sex sexual activity under an offence which has since been repealed or abolished, you can apply to have the conviction disregarded – meaning it will be removed from official records.

Eligibility

Anyone with a historical conviction for same-sex sexual activity under an offence that has now been repealed or abolished is eligible to apply.

How to apply

For more information, and to access the online application form, visit Disregards and pardons for historical gay sex convictions.

A Person of Sufficient Interest criteria and definition

A Person of Sufficient Interest, including Next of Kin, is someone who had a long-standing, close personal relationship with the deceased person, who could be expected to represent the wishes of the deceased. This may be a relative, spouse, civil partner, long-term partner, child(ren), adopted family member or similar.

Defence has adopted this broader definition to help include those whom the veteran may have nominated as their next of kin.

When a Person of Sufficient Interest submits an application, you must provide supporting evidence to the Defence Restorative Action team by emailing: LGBT-RestorativeAction@mod.gov.uk.

Your email should include your name, the veteran’s name, and the veteran’s Service number. This will enable the Defence Restorative Action team to allocate appropriate evidence to support the relevant application.

This can be a difficult area to navigate. If you believe you should be considered as a Person of Sufficient Interest, but haven’t been included in the ‘Persons of Sufficient Interest types’ list in the table below, please email LGBT-RestorativeAction@mod.gov.uk.

The table below explains the different types of Persons of Sufficient Interest and the evidence you will need to provide the Defence Restorative Action team with:

Person of Sufficient Interest types Evidence required
The personal representative of the deceased’s estate. This will be the Executor named on the Grant of Probate where the deceased had a will. This will be the Personal Representative named on the Letters of Administration where the deceased had no will. Certificate of death. Grant of Probate/Confirmation (only in Scotland) or Letters of Administration.
A person who is entitled to personal property under the proved will of the deceased (a beneficiary). Certificate of death. Will.
Official Next of Kin of the Deceased. This will be the first person from the following list who is still alive: surviving spouse or civil partner; children (or their descendants); parents, brothers or sisters (or their descendants); half siblings (or their descendants); grandparents; uncles or aunts (or their descendants); half uncles or aunts (or their descendants). Certificate of death. Proof of relation (this could include birth certificates, marriage certificate, adoption records etc).
A person who was in a relationship or living with the person who has died, at the time of the person’s death as their long-term partner. Certificate of death. Evidence of shared assets or long-term relationship (this could include Mortgage or Tenancy documents showing joint ownership or rental of a property; proof of joint responsibility for a child; joint bank account; proof that both partners’ names were on the Electoral Roll at a shared address; a Council Tax bill for the same property in joint names; loan documentation of major assets such as homes, cars; or major appliances in both partners’ names; utility bills in both names.
Any person who was treated as a child of the deceased; or Any person who immediately before the death of the deceased was being financially supported either wholly or partly, by the deceased. Certificate of death. Evidence of financial or domestic commitments (examples as above).
   

Guidance for transgender veterans

The application form will ask you for your full name, and the name you used while serving, if it is different. Defence needs this information to locate your Service records.

For some of the restorative measures, Defence will need to use the information from Service records to deliver the restorative measure.

If you are transitioning, or have transitioned, and have changed your name since serving, and would like any correspondence or items to include your preferred name, please send a copy of your photo ID and evidence of your name change to LGBT-RestorativeAction@mod.gov.uk, once you have submitted your application form.

You only need to submit evidence if you are applying for the following:

  • Publishing of details in The Gazette – Eligible former officers can apply to have their name, rank and date of retirement published in The Gazette (see ‘Service details published in The Gazette’). Defence will publish your current name once the requested evidence has been received.
  • Replacement discharge papers – Eligible veterans can apply to have a Certificate of Service issued (see ‘Replacement discharge papers’). Defence will issue this in your current name once the requested evidence has been received.

Service numbers are also included on Certificates of Service. If you would not like your Service number to be included, please record this on the application form.

Further information

If you have any questions, or would like more information on the restorative measures, you can:

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