I find it odd, very odd

October 14, 2007

Dear Sir,

The dramatic headline "War of the Poppies" in your Saturday issue sends some shots into some interesting nooks and crannies.

The first cranny? From the story itself: "The RBL (Royal British Legion) told the BWVA (Bermuda War Veterans Association) that in future, all monies from the Bermuda poppy appeal must be passed back to the RBL and they will be used for 'welfare work' for the whole of the qualifying community in accordance with the Legion's welfare policies'".

So, in Bermuda, any money from poppies sold, in Bermuda, by RBL representatives operating in Bermuda will belong to the RBL in the UK. Further, the UK RBL will decide on whom the money is to be spent. However, any money from poppies sold by the BWVA will remain in Bermuda and will be spent by the Trustees of the BWVA who will spend it on Bermuda War Veterans.

Nook: A Bermuda Regiment soldier recently appeared in Magistrates' Court and was found guilty of continued absence. The private soldier was given a three month sentence. The same private meets the RBL's minimal entrance requirements. So he can join the RBL and become the recipient of some of the RBL's 'poppy money'. HE is not, however, a War Veteran and cannot join the BWVA. So he cannot have any of the BWVA "poppy money".

The criteria for joining the Royal British Legion (RBL) is that the person must be over 16, and must have drawn at least seven days military pay. That's why Pte Caisey can join. The criteria for becoming a member of the Bermuda War Veteran's Association is that one must have served, as a military person, in an active combat zone. For British Forces, proof of this kind of military service is demonstrated by the award of a 'star' or 'campaign' medal or of a General Service Medal.

Nook: Look at picture No 3 on page 8 of the Mid Ocean News of 12 Oct. The man shaking hands with Lt. Col. White wears five medals. His first medal is the 1939-1945 'Battle of Britain' star. This is a 'campaign' medal. It confirms that during the Second World War, this man served in a 'hot zone' where he was directly subject to hostile enemy action. Now look at picture No 4. Neither of the two medal wearers has a 'star' medal. This demonstrates that neither man served in a 'hot' combat zone. Since this is Bermuda, you will also note the men's colour.

From all of the above, the BWVA, since the First World War (1914-1918) have held that their's is an association of 'combat' veterans. The RBL started out, in 1919, on exactly the same footing. The RBL later changed and broadened its membership. From 1922, the BWVA has never broadened its membership. Combat service, or proof of service in a combat zone, is still the only criteria. The Bermudian BWVA is under no obligation to the British RBL — or to anyone else - to change its Bermudian rules.

Cranny: Currently, in the UK, wounded or incapacitated British servicemen and British ex-servicemen, suffering the after-effects of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, are crying for help with their ailments and are asking for more financial assistance. Meanwhile, the RBL is busying itself trying to insert itself into Bermuda where it is promising to deliver all sorts of cash benefits and welfare to the well-paid part-time servicemen of the Bermuda Regiment; all of whom who live and serve in a country that has a per capita income that is far higher than that of the UK.

It seems odd! Very odd!

But, in all fairness, perhaps it is I who is ¿ shall I say ¿ "out of step"? Or do you, too, find the RBL's position odd? Or very odd?

Larry Burchall

Ex-RSM Bermuda Regiment and author:

"Fine as Wine: From coloured boy to Bermudian Man."

Some answers, please

October 14, 2007

Dear Sir,

I wish to thank you for changing the law to pay the local soldiers of World War 2. While this pension has come 62 years too late, it is still a great help to many soldiers. Of course, there are many soldiers who could have used this money over the years over the years and have now passed away, but 'better late than never.' I joined B Company (Machine Gun) on Bermuda in 1939, and served at HMS Malabar for three years, attached to the Royal Navy.

I have spent many hours selling Poppies for Remembrance Day, and I was told this money was to support all of the Armed Forces. Now I find out that all this money went to the Bermuda War Veterans Association, which I am not allowed to join and does not recognise all the years of my wartime service to the country. I have raised thousands of dollars over the years, and I have not received a penny for any illness or hardship.

Four years ago, I had a stroke and an aneurism from which I luckily have recovered, but from using up all of my insurance and savings I still had to pay over $41,000 from my own pocket, and the War Veterans Association didn't even say they were sorry to hear of it.

Who are the beneficiaries of all this money that the War Veterans Association have collected, with quite a few thousands from my hands alone? Is any detailed record of this money being kept? How do we know if many Bermudians have any knowledge of where this money goes? Is this a situation like the BHC scandal? A number of the fellows still around would like to know about this. I am speaking also for the BMI and BMA members who served on the Island.

Herbert J Tatem

Paget

P.s. I should like to thank Ms. Carol Everson for the many hours of work that she has spent sorting out veteran's affairs, and also to apologise to her on behalf of the soldiers who served their country for the way she has been treated by the officers of the War Veteran's Association.

Clarifying RBL position

This was sent to then-Governor Sir John Vereker and was copied to The Royal Gazette.

October 2, 2007

Dear Excellency,

The Royal British Legion is a registered charity in Bermuda with the charity number 809. The Legion's poppy emblem is recognised worldwide as a fundraising activity on behalf of all ex-Service persons and their dependants in need, as qualified by our Royal Charter. They are:

• any man or women who is currently serving as a Regular, Reserve or Auxiliary member of the Royal navy, Army or Royal Air Force and who is aged 16 years or over, and has received 7 days' pay.

• any man or woman who has previously received seven days' pay as a Regular, Reserve or Auxiliary member of the Royal Navy, Army or Royal Air Force, and is 16 years or over.

• Any man or women who served with the Mercantile Marine afloat in hostile waters, or as a full-time member of Allied Civil Police Forces, or who is entitled to the campaign medal issued by the Royal Navy, Army or Royal Air Force to those giving direct support or under their command.

• Any member of Voluntary Aid Societies who has served full time and in uniform in direct support of the United Kingdom Armed Forces.

• any British subject (whether by birth or otherwise) who has served at least 7 days in:

? The Forces of an Allied nation and received 7 days' pay from that nation, or

? a resistance organisation of an Allied nation during hostilities in which the United Kingdom Armed Forces were engaged.

• Any man who:

? served in the Home Guard for at least 6 months, or in a Bomb and Mine Disposal Unit for at least 3 months, or:

?was awarded the Defence Medal for service in the Home Guard or in a Bomb and Mine Disposal Unit.

I must correct the misconception that the poppy is "sold". The Legion as a charity may not trade. The poppy is "offered" in exchange for a donation of no fixed amount and some of our donors are most generous. Application for retention of funds for "immediate needs grants" can be made to Head Office.(Caseworker's note - all money raised by the Bermuda Poppy Appeal will be retained in Bermuda for the benefit of ALL Bermuda's veterans.)

Thereafter the larger grants to beneficiaries are dealt with by the caseworker using Form A direct to Head Office. All grants both large and small are strictly accountable and audited.

The Legion has trained Ms Carol Everson as a Legion caseworker. Additionally she has been briefed fully on the provisions and management of the Poppy Appeal, establishing a transparent accountability link between money collected and that used for Legion casework in Bermuda. Ms Everson is the only accredited supplier of poppies and wreaths in Bermuda.

MsEverson has attempted to resolve the issues in Bermuda for over a year with varying degrees of success. Almost a year has now passed and we are no further forward except that Ms Everson has been able to help those in need who would otherwise have been neglected. Her commitment to those in need is to be applauded.

I hope this helps to clarify the Legion's position and intentions in Bermuda, as is the case elsewhere in the world.

Peter Henderson OBE

Director Field & Membership Services

Royal British Legion Head Office,

Pall Mall, London

Focus on Remembramce

This was sent to and copied to Deputy Governor Mark Capes, Peter Henderson, Director of Field Services, Royal British Legion and Steven Clark, Remembrance Coordinator, Royal Canadian Legion.

October 15, 2007

Dear Sir,

I am deeply concerned by your recent coverage of the Remembrance Day Poppy Appeal.Your Saturday headline 'Battle of the Poppies' misleadingly presents this as a conflict for the public's attention between two rival organisations. This is to be deplored.

The focus of the Royal British Legion is first, Remembrance, and then the comfort and care of all Veterans in Bermuda.

The Royal British Legion and the Royal Canadian Legion are worldwide organisations with similar aims in that they make no distinction between veterans who served in a conflict zone and veterans protecting the Home Front. Both organisations also assist serving soldiers.

As the Royal British Legion's Caseworker for Bermuda, it is my respectful duty to do my utmost to ensure a united and successful Poppy Appeal that benefits all Bermuda's veterans an widows in need of assistance, so that the Royal British Legion and the Bermuda War Veteran's Association can join forces in the 2007 Poppy Appeal, culminating in the solemn and respectful duty of the Remembrance Day Parades.

I will not give up on this objective.

The Government of Bermuda has taken the the most welcome and laudable step of amending the Pensions and War Services Act, and awarding benefits and pensions to the soldiers who served in the Defence of Bermuda after 62 years. It is unthinkable now that these men and women should be excluded from benefiting in the Poppy Appeal.

Pembroke