Unit Notice Board

They Need Our Help

There are many among us today who have served and defended during times of peril.  These are  veterans of major wars abroad.  Many of these honourable and distinguished individuals presently reside at the Curphey Home, one of the many places established to take care of the needs of these people.

The Curphey Home currently accommodates approximately twenty (20) Commonwealth veterans and was established in 1950.  It is one of the homes which caters to the needs of the veterans, most of whom have no other means of sustenance.

The British Commonwealth Ex-Services League (BCEL) was founded in Cape Town in 1921 by Lord Haig and Gen SMUTS.  The objective of this organization is to “by charitable means seek to ensure that no Commonwealth ex-serviceman or woman who served the crown shall be without help if in need.”

One of the remarkable feats among the veterans is that most of them are centenarians.  One such person is Eugent CLARK who died recently at the age of one hundred and eight (108) years old.  While serving the British West India Regiment between 1916 and 1919 in France, Belgium, Italy and Egypt he was among those who fought in the battle of Somme more than eighty five years ago.  During the visit of the Queen earlier this year Mr CLARK helped to launch her golden jubilee tour to the island.  He spoke of the feeling of pride that emanated from him in anticipation of the Queen’s visit.

He also spoke of the numerous occasions when he experienced difficulties such as racial prejudices which caused himself and other coloured to be in direct line of fire.  Despite the struggles of the wars and the hardships he still felt “no regrets.”

One must not fail to recognize that many individuals like Mr CLARK volunteered their services and put their own lives at stake to defend.  In all, five million men and women served alongside six million Britons in all the theatres of war.  Approximately one hundred thousand were killed and about half a million wounded.  Some twenty five thousand Commonwealth veterans are beneficiaries of BCEL and this number is expected to climb to about one hundred thousand in the next few years.  Unfortunately these people have no place to turn for the basic things in life.  The BCEL is unable to supply adequate funds for food and dedication.  In some areas it operates projects which enables it to garner profits devoted to the Veterans’ Communities.  These include Maize Hills to grind flour, wells for fresh water and coffin making.

A vast majority of the funds come from ex-service organizations in wealthy countries.  Among the more generous sponsors are the Royal British Legion, The Royal Canadian Legion and the Returned Services League of Australia as well as other charities.

The BCEL which made its last major fund raising venture in 1989 is currently unable to adequately support the increasing number of veterans who need assistance.  It is such that it is only able to supply approximately twenty meals per month for each veteran whereas a meal a day is its objective.  All the volunteers are trying their utmost best, but, money is a major problem.

The co-ordination of BCEL’s activities is run by four people working out of an office in London provided by the British League.  They need about five million pounds to adequately finance the objectives.  These people (veterans) have no means of financial stability.

The veterans are in need of our support and our help will be greatly appreciated.

Donations for the Jubilee Appeal can be sent to the BCEL’s office at 20 Mortlake High Street London SW 14 8JN.