Page 32 - issue08.03.2019

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 8, 2019 P24
News

Benevolent Fund appeals

for help to aid more vets

Charity wants National Service RAF VETS:
Deserve
conscripts to take step forward support

THE RAF Benevolent Fund has David Murray
been standing side by side with Chief Executive
the RAF almost since its inception
and this year celebrates 100 years of the RAF
of support for the RAF Family. Benevolent Fund
Sadly, we started the year on
a sour note, when the Bomber
Command Memorial was
vandalised, being daubed in white into the Armed Forces. At one
paint. That incident highlighted point, 40 per cent of the serving
the very worst and then the very RAF was National Servicemen. It
best of our community. Messages also defined the early lives of an
of support flooded in from around entire generation of young men,
the world which also served to along with the lives of their families
underline the great esteem in which and dependants. National Service
all RAF veterans are held and, conscripts paused their everyday
indeed, the pride the public have in lives to serve our country.
those who continue to serve today.
As part of our centenary They are either
celebrations, the RAF Benevolent “
Fund is seeking to capitalise on too proud to seek
that warmth and asking the public support or don’t
to help us double our impact and
support even more members of see their service
the RAF Family. By spreading the as something
word of our work, we are aiming to
increase our support from 50,000 which deserves
to 100,000 members of the RAF recognition, or as
community.
The recent loss of the last Great a debt that needs
Escaper, Squadron Leader Dick repaying
Churchill, has underlined how ” are aware or willing to ask for it. to seek support or don’t see their if we all play our part. Together, we
vital it is that we act now, to help The RAF Family has 1.5 million service as something which can ensure that the generation who
these surviving veterans while we Today, these legions of once members, counting both those who deserves recognition, or as a debt undertook National Service are not
still can. However, there is another young men are, along with their are currently serving, those who that needs repaying. Therefore, forgotten, nor left to fight older age
generation of RAF veterans who dependants, fighting new battles, have served and their dependants. they avoid seeking help. Wrongly, alone.
are often overlooked, with many often associated with older age. Given the scale of conscription, they often assume it should go The Royal Air Force Benevolent
assuming that the Second World Rather than facing insurgents or many of these people are National to someone else, someone ‘more Fund is there to support all of the
War was the last time that our handling the mess and chaos left by Service veterans and their deserving’ than them. RAF Family; from those currently
society served en masse. the Second World War, many are dependants. However, very few of These veterans, who gave part serving, to veterans and their
This forgets the contribution now dealing with financial hardship, them ever seek the help they are of their youth to our country and dependants, including those who
made by an entire generation – bereavement or loneliness. eligible for. stood ready to give so much more, did their National Service in the
those who were conscripted for Currently, many of these people Why? When speaking to clearly deserve our support. The RAF.
National Service. are facing these challenges without National Service veterans, we challenge is getting them to either
The scale of National Service support. Yet there is no need for find that they are often reluctant seek or accept it. n To refer someone in need, get in
was huge, with more than two them to do so. Help is out there, but to recognise their own personal The scale of the challenge is touch via: www.rafbf.org or call:
million men being conscripted too few National Service veterans service. They are either too proud large, but it can easily be overcome 0800 169 2942.
Honours and awards for deserving RAFC Cranwell personnel

AWARDS and honours were AOC 83 Expeditionary Long-Service and
handed out at RAFC Cranwell Air Gp Commendation Good-Conduct Clasp
recently by college commandant l Fg Off D Smith, RAFC Cranwell l FS Owens, DPHC, RAFC
Air Commodore Peter Squires. Cranwell
The recipients were: Commandant’s Commendation:
Meritorious Service Medal Long-Service and
Deputy Commander’s l WO Hutchinson, ATC, RAFC Good-Conduct Medal
Commendation Cranwell l Flt Lt A Wood, OACTU, RAFC
l Sgt Higgins, AFCO Bristol, Cranwell
RAFC Cranwell General Service Medal l Sgt Sinclair, PSF, RAFC
with North Africa Clasp Cranwell
AOC 22 Gp Commendation l Wg Cdr Ross, HQ R & S, RAFC l FS Wood, OACTU, RAFC
l Sqn Ldr Mockeridge, HQ 2FTS, Cranwell Cranwell
RAF Syerston l Off Cdt Oxford, OACTU, RAFC
l Sgt Anstey, AFCO Birmingham, Long-Service and Good- Cranwell
RAFC Cranwell PROUD: Recipients Conduct Medal & 2 Clasps
l Sqn Ldr Hunt, HQ CFS, RAFC RAF Sports Colours
AOC 38 Gp Team Commendation l Sgt Guest, AFCO Gloucester, RAFC Cranwell Cranwell l Sgt Youngman, RAF Benson,
l Flt Lt Moss, AFCO Gloucester, RAFC Cranwell l Sgt Davies, AFCO RAFC Cranwel
RAFC Cranwell l Sgt Tamber, AFCO Gloucester, Bournemouth, RAFC Cranwell Long-Service and Good- l Cpl Morris, AFCO
l Sgt Chelin, AFCO Gloucester, RAFC Cranwell Conduct Medal & Clasp Peterborough, RAFC Cranwell
RAFC Cranwell l Miss Birley, AFCO Gloucester, l Flt Lt Mack, CFS, RAFC Cranwell