The Tribune

MEMBERS of the Bahamas branch of the British Legion yesterday presented Tribune Staff Reporter Rashad Rolle and The Tribune with plaques of appreciation for a series of articles written last year about the war veterans.

Chairman and Treasurer Comrade Cephas Ferguson thanked The Tribune and Mr Rolle for reporting on World War II Bahamian veterans during the 2013 Remembrance Week.

The British Legion was formed in 1921, two years after World War I at a representative conference in London, England. To mark its 50th anniversary in May 1971 it was granted a Royal Charter which gave the Legion the privilege of the prefix “royal”.

The local chapter – British Legion Bahamas Branch — was formed by Bahamian World War II ex-servicemen after the war in 1945, to “preserve” their experiences for future generations.

Among other things, the group aims to raise funds to help elderly WWII ex-servicemen and to provide a small monthly pension for the widows of registered ex-servicemen.

Adina Munroe, first secretary and office manager of the British Legion, Bahamas Branch, said the group is focused on raising awareness of the war veterans and hopes to spread education in schools and throughout the community. The organisation is now focused on starting a website as a means to further its message.

In March, Ms Munroe said that the government had pledged to consider raising the pension given to soldiers who participated in the Second World War.

The veterans have long asked for an increase in their pensions, which they say has remained the same since 1945, despite commitments from various parliamentarians.