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At least two OBE (Order Of The British Empire) awards were awarded to the members of the British Consulate involved in the Bali Bombings (Click_here_for_info). Let me put this into perspective; David Beckham has an OBE for his services to football.

The British Government has been quick to give themselves a pat on the back.

The People who were looking after me have given me their accounts of their discussions with the British Officials in the immediate aftermath of the bombings.

“They were *****s, they lied to both my wife and I, and even though they had met my wife and I several times they later denied during a Foreign Office inquiry that they had ever met us. Those OBEs are a disgrace. They personally told me that I could not be evacuated and that the British government could not assist, so in the end the Irish and South African embassy staff got me out after which I spent the rest of the year in hospital. We are very bitter about our experiences with

Here is a list of all the Bali awards provided by the FCO. Russell Ward’s award was at the very least justified.

OBEs

Mark Adrian WILSON

Honorary British Consul, Bali, for services to victims of the Bali bombing

Philip John WILSON

Assistant to the Honorary British Consul, Bali, for services to victims of the Bali bombing

MBEs

Peter Denzil BARNETT

For services to victims of the Bali bombing

Mrs Marina Laura BROOK

For services to victims of the Bali bombing

Mrs Marie Claire KELSALL

For services to victims of the Bali bombing

David William MAGSON

For services to victims of the Bali bombing

Russell John WARD

For services to families of victims of the Bali bombing

Three Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff also received honours for their role. The citations listed for FCO Officials are only ever stated with their position:

Suzanne Victoria Hill, First Secretary, FCO

Taranjit Singh Jhita, Third Secretary, FCO

Sarah Elizabeth Mannell, Third Secretary, FCO

There was no doubt others who did heroic work, but whose actions were not seen by, or otherwise brought to the attention of, our officials. It is regrettable, but unavoidable, that this is often the case in such situations.