Have our local Veterans got their badges? (Watford Liberal Democrats)

Watford Liberal Democrats <info@watfordlibdems.org.uk>

Have our local Veterans got their badges?

April 29, 2009 4:25 PM

Sal talking to local veteral Len Wakeling

In celebration of the first Armed Forces Day, Sal Brinton, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate is calling on local ex-servicemen and women to come forward to claim their Veterans Badges.

The first Armed Forces Day will take place on Saturday 27th June, replacing celebrations which for the last three years have taken place on Veterans Day.

Sal is taking this opportunity to invite all veterans who have not claimed their badge to come forward.

Commenting, Sal Brinton said:

"It is entirely appropriate that we hold an Armed Forces Day to express our gratitude to our ex-servicemen and women for their service to our country.

"The day is also a good opportunity for all those who have not yet claimed their Veterans Badge to do so. I have been talking to local veteran Len Wakeling.

"Len left school at 14 in 1942, and was sent to work as a driller in a factory, making shock absorbers for military vehicles. As he was under 16, his hours were restricted to 44 per week!

"He wanted to learn a trade, so responded to an advertisement on the radio where the army were offering young men apprenticeships. His dad didn't want him to join up, as he already had 4 brothers in the army, on front line duty, but eventually agreed.

"In 1944 aged 16 he joined up, and was trained at Chepstow, both basic and trade. He joined the Royal Army Service Corps, and was sent to France to pick up the pieces as the war ended. He spent the next three years in the Graves Concentration Unit, recovering bodies, identifying them, and then burying them in War Grave Cemeteries.

"In 1948 he became a regular soldier in the peacetime army. He served in Cyprus during the 1955-58 , during the crisis there, and went on later to serve in Germany and Hong Kong.

"Len is typical of the thousands of servicemen who dedicated their young lives to serving their country. The Veterans Badge recognises the work he did for our country during the Second World War and afterwards, in the regular army."

Anyone with enquiries about the unclaimed badges should contact my office in writing or by phone on 01923 238552. Enquiries in writing to Sal Brinton's office should be made to: 111 Leavesden Road, Watford WD24 5ER

Men and Women who enlisted in HM Armed Forces between 3 September 1945 and 31 December 1994 are entitled to a Veterans Badge. This includes members of the Cyprus Regiment, Home Guard and Polish Forces under UK Command and there is no qualifying length of Service.