May 6th 2008
Two years ago I joined an organisation called 'The Combined Armed Forces Federation',
who were attempting to fight the cause of poor bastards like me who served 12
(13) years in the Service of our wonderful country with bugger all to show for
it.
They are releasing their campaign to the press this month (supposedly) and pressurising
Westminster to recognise the claims of anyone who served 5 or more years in
the Services before April 1975 and didn't qualify for a Service Pension.
I didn't think too much about it, as I thought that my pension entitlement would
only amount to a fiver a week, but I emailed a 99er who left the RAF on 11th
April 1975 and asked him what his Service Pension for 12 years was - and I'm
now a fully paid up member of the awkward squad - as he gets £350 a month
pension for his stint before the flag!!
So watch this space - I know it's probably a lost cause, and the national sport
in these 'ere parts is tilting at windmills, but I'll poke at a few windmills
for £350 a month.
If you think anyone else from our band of 'chaps' would be interested in tilting
at a few windmills, the address for this wonderful organisation is:
Frank Dixon
Membership Secretary
The Combined Armed Forces Federation UK
2 The Cloisters
London Road
Amesbury
Wiltshire
SP4 7JK
http://www.caffuk.org.uk/
I think they are particularly looking for someone who has a detailed knowledge
of the cellars of the
Houses of Parliament and has a keen interest in Fireworks.
Bob