During World War 11, many young Bermudians volunteered to serve for King and Country. They undertook the vital homeland defence of Bermuda, which was rightly seen by the enemy as the gateway to the North Atlantic, and once the Island defences were secured, they also served in Europe, Africa and Asia.

Today, some of these brave men are deceased, but many are still with us, approximately 80 in number aged from 78 to 97. A large number of these veterans of the Bermuda Militia Artillery, who served overseas with the Caribbean Regiment, are displayed in the picture above, taken in 1944.

Unfortunately, even though these brave young Bermudians placed themselves equally at risk to preserve the freedoms we now enjoy, they were not equally rewarded when they were demobilised after the War ended. This neglect was not due to Government oversight, at least at the legislative level.

Bermuda?s laws were based on English and US legislation which provided resettlement allowances, business and vocational training, assistance in getting employment, medical treatment and benefits on retirement.

In practice, however, the extent to which these Bermudian heroes enjoyed the legislated benefits depended in a large part on the Regiment to which they belonged.

Available records indicate that the members of the BMA and BMI, the black militia, were largely ignored.

They were denied membership of the War Veterans Association, and given the unfortunate racial climate of the times, this was not surprising. What is clear, is that there is no known case of a black Bermudian receiving these benefits upon completion of his war service while resident in the country of his birth.

As a result of the neglect endured by black veterans, and the failure to properly interpret the generous War Pensions Act prepared for their benefit, few if any black veterans returned home to the opportunities that should have been available to them. Consequently, many who survived until 2004 are now in dire need of essential health care and financial and housing assistance.

This unfortunate situation has received some publicity recently due to determined efforts by Servicewoman Carol Everson of the Bermuda Regiment.

Servicewoman Everson stumbled on the plight of many veterans while trying to get historical information about a soldier now deceased who served in both World Wars.

The efforts of this lady have certainly sparked a growing interest in locating these neglected heroes and bringing their specific situations to the attention of a caring public.

Any interested member of the public, especially veterans, or family members who wish to share memories or photographs of the Bermuda Militia?s involvement in either of the World Wars, or who know of a veteran in need of a helping hand or assistance with the issues above, is invited to contact Servicewoman Carol Everson at Warwick Camp, P.O. Box HM 1006, Hamilton HM DX, Bermuda.