STOP PRESS

Britain has failed to live up to its duty of care to its servicemen and women, the Royal British Legion has claimed.      Over generations, an unspoken pact emerged between society and the military.      If you are prepared to make terrible sacrifices, we told our soldiers, then you and your families will be looked after and treated fairly.  BBC News report September 2007

       

At last, Downing Street have approved the petition.
It is available to sign at:-

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/FEPOWs/

          FEPOW Remembrance Day Org
To establish a remembrance day for all those who were held as Japanese Prisoners of War in the Far East during World War II, no matter what nationality, colour or religion.  The FEPOW Remembrance Day Group are seeking support in our attempts to establish a FEPOW (Far Eastern Prisoner of War) Remembrance Day on August 15th. 

The FEPOW’s endured 3 ½ years of the most horrific mental and physical treatment, including malnutrition, tropical diseases etc. Those lucky enough to return home continued to suffer in silence, with continuous nightmares and bad health yet they endeavoured to try and live normal lives, never complaining or asking for anything. They have never been fully recognized for all the mental and physical torment they went through and we would like to see that they are permanently honoured with a memorial day in their name.

And about time too, the Royal British Legion has finally awakened from its somnambulations.   For many years I have regarded the RBL to be a fine collector of cash for the Military men and women that are in need.     But as for standing up for the active service man and women, they might have well been asleep.

I just hope that this time they will start thinking about the ones that eventually they will come in contact with, and not as I have gained the impression, that they look for honours bestowed as payment for there servitude and silence.

Armed forces minister Bob Ainsworth says "significant progress" is being made in many of the areas highlighted by the Royal British Legion, but he admits that "fulfilling our part of the deal is not always easy and takes both time and money". 

Time is no barrier, but as for money, that's an excuse.

Military funding comes under fire Admiral Lord  Boyce

War Widows Association org.uk

The War Widows Association is essentially a pressure group and exists to improve the conditions of War Widows and their dependants in Great Britain. Its work encompasses those who have suffered bereavement as a result of World War II and all conflicts since then including Iraq and Afghanistan. The WWA also represents those who have suffered the loss of their husband in peacetime, when his death was attributable to his service life.

It works with all government departments, petitioning for improvement in pensions, the administration of benefits and other issues affecting War Widows. It represents War Widows at national events of remembrance and it maintains close links with all ex-Service organizations and the Service widows' associations.

The War Widows' Association of Great Britain
C/o 48 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5JY
Call us on 0845 2412 189 or
email: info@warwidowsassociation.org.uk

RESEARCHING FEPOW HISTORY CONFERENCE

At the  National Arboretum Alrewas, Staffordshire. Plans are well underway for the 2nd international "Researching FEPOW History Conference" to be held on Sat May 31 and Sun June 1.

May/June Events calendar

Compensation for the troops or this.

he Ministry of Defence has been accused of a "gold standard cock-up" over eight helicopters which have cost £422m but have yet to fly for the RAF.

Ministry of Defence cock up Link to story

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