War veterans waiting for increased pension payments will get them in the near future, the Minister for Public Safety and Housing pledged yesterday.

Six months on from the original Government announcement, yesterday's news did not come a moment too soon for the family of 99-year-old war veteran John DeShield.

They continue to struggle to care for the former soldier who won medals for service to his country.

Although he was in good health into his 90s, Mr. DeShield is now bedridden, incontinent and unable to feed himself. His round-the-clock care is provided by his daughter Elizabeth, 75, her two sisters, and a brother.

Having put in their application for benefits two to three weeks ago, they are now eagerly awaiting the payment, which will be backdated to April.

"I'm sure they're working on it, but I just wish they would hurry it up," said Mrs. Isaac this week.

Many of those who served during the World Wars have never been paid a veteran's pension. Some who served overseas were never informed by the Bermuda War Veterans Association or Government of the day that they were entitled to payments.

This situation mainly affected black soldiers who served in the black branch of Bermuda's armed forces, the Bermuda Militia Artillery (BMA), Bermuda Militia Infantry, Bermuda Militia Engineers and the Caribbean Contingent of the BMA.

Others of both races who defended Bermuda on the home front during Second World War were never recognised for their service.

The legislation passed earlier this year was supposed to redress the balance. It also doubled the war service pension benefit from $400 to $800 per month.

Mr. DeShield helped defend Bermuda on the home front before serving in Italy and Africa during the Second World War.

"He used to have to go on the march from St. David's to Ireland Island and was on duty day and night," recalled Mrs. Isaac of his time in Bermuda.

He later helped to transport 26,000 German prisoners-of-war back to Europe from North Africa during his service overseas and won several medals — the Italy Star, the Africa Star, the War Medal and the 1939-45 medal.

Mrs. Isaac explained that although her family knew their father might be entitled to a pension for his war service, they had previously been reluctant to apply for one as they were reluctant to participate in the means assessment on the application form.

When she introduced the legislation in June, Finance Minister Paula Cox scrapped the means test once and for all. The family submitted their application for Mr. DeShield's pension two to three weeks ago.

They hope that despite delays in processing the applications acknowledged yesterday by Minister for Public Safety and Housing David Burch, Mr. DeShield will soon receive the full back dated amount of $5,600 and that they will also be able to claim carers' allowances under the new legislation.

Mrs. Isaac said the money would help meet everyday bills such as the food, medication and adult diapers her father requires.

Sen. Burch said: "We have had some challenges with documentation. I am pleased to report that all of those hurdles have been overcome and we have taken steps to streamline the process."

He said a new application form removing references to "qualification" and "need" for the benefits has been approved and an affidavit of military service has been created that will serve as proof of service for those who no longer possess their service documents.

Sen. Burch revealed that 26 veterans or widows were receiving benefits prior to this summer's amendments, but as of Monday that had increased to 60, with 16 additional applications in varying stages of processing.

He has organised a luncheon tomorrow to complete the process of registering all those remaining.

Representatives of the Department of Social Insurance will be available to register veterans and the Minister said it was hoped the cheques would be mailed out by the end of the month.

However, one area Mr. DeShield's family remains unclear about is whether they will be able to claim under the new provisions for respite care for their father.

According to Royal British Legion Case Worker Carol Everson, Ms Cox pledged when she made her original announcement about the law change in April that a benefit for respite care would be introduced alongside the pre-existing provision in the War Pensions Act that entitles veterans to free hospital treatment.

However, Mr. DeShield racked up a $3,630 bill in August when he spent a month in the continuing care unit at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital because he was suffering from dehydration and his exhausted carers needed a break — which his family had to foot the bill for.

"We needed a rest too. We've got families to take care of," explained Mrs. Isaac, a retired teacher. "We feel like we should not have had to pay for that.

"He's a war veteran and as far as I know they are supposed to have that kind of benefit. We managed to pay for it somehow or other."

"My feeling is he's rendered service to his country and he should be taken care of. That happens in other countries. We're not asking for a million dollars," she said.

According to Ms Everson, the situation regarding the type of free hospital treatment to which veterans should be entitled is unclear as the wording of the law stands.

She explained: "When Mr. DeShield went into hospital I spoke to the hospital finance office in my capacity as British Legion caseworker.

"They said they would not give him free treatment because he was in for what they called'"holiday care'. I pointed out he was in for respite care and I pointed out that the Deputy Premier in a press conference in April promised that the changes would include respite, palliative care and hospice care.

"However, the hospital is continuing to charge veterans and when I called a second time I was told benefits did not include elder care for veterans.

"Clarification is needed. These benefits are very welcome because they benefit not only one but two or three generations. They are incredibly valuable and are already available in all other Commonwealth countries to World War Two veterans.

"Government has taken a great step forward for these ladies and gentlemen and it will be very beneficial when Mr. DeShield is able to receive these benefits as his carers are elderly themselves."

According to Ms Everson she has heard of around ten veterans who have applied for pension payments getting them back dated until April so far.

Anyone who wishes to attend the luncheon hosted by Senator Burch and Deputy Premier Paula Cox at Camden tomorrow should contact 294-9250 to confirm attendance.

Family members may attend if veterans and their widows are unable to attend in person.

* Have you had a problem with your war pension? Contact Elizabeth Roberts on eroberts@royalgazette.bm