Sir, The Royal British Legion has been very much in support of the proposed Armed Forces Memorial (report, Nov 20) from the outset, offering advice and support and indeed the planned location, the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire.
There is no “fierce internal row” within the Royal British Legion: our supporters and branches are united in the cause of serving and ex-servicemen and women in need, and we will continue to use Poppy Appeal funds towards their welfare.
The legion’s royal charter does not allow us to raise funds for memorials; indeed, our funds are fully deployed elsewhere in support of the serving and ex-Service community.
DAVID WILLS
Director-General
The Royal British Legion
London SW1
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Sir, the programme Victoria Cross Heroes, being shown on Sundays on Five, reminds us that the Government has done nothing to improve the special pension that holders of the VC receive.
These brave men receive an annual gratuity which has, quite rightly, recently been increased in value from an original £20 per year, to bring it into line with inflation and is now valued at £1,495.
However, along with the annual gratuity is also an additional award of a pension supplement which, at its inception in the 1880s, was worth 6d per day. Today that supplement remains at the original 2.5 pence per day (£9.12 per year — taxable!) Is this any way to reward this nation’s heroes?
MAJ-GEN J. C. M GORDON
General Secretary
Forces Pension Society