CHENNAI: Pensions and welfare funds for war veterans have always been a norm in India, a country where soldiers are given a high degree of respect and admiration. But while the government ensures that its’ veterans — those on record — are ably compensated, what about those who fall in between? Many people aren’t aware that a large number of Indian soldiers were drafted into and had fought for the British Army during World War II.
Unlike the pension received by soldiers who served in the post-Independence army, the Ex-Services Association disburses funds received from charitable donations in the UK, distributed in the name of the Crown. The association is affiliated to the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League (RCEL) in London.
“There were a lot of soldiers from India, including Tamils and Anglo-Indians, who were drafted into the British Army during the World War II,” says Capt Balaretna Singh, chairman of the association.
“Most were young men of 17-18 years and they performed various duties including being signalman, gun handlers, morse coders and so on. After the war ended and India gained independence, there were several soldiers who were not receiving any gratuity for their service despite India being part of the Commonwealth.”
To make sure that soldiers who served the British still got a gratuity, it was decided that the RCEL — established in 1921 with local bodies in the Commonwealth nations — would identify people who were not getting any subsistence from their local government, mainly due to lack of records.
“Though the Indian Army would not have a record of service, the British Army certainly would. They’d verify claims and records and thereby start giving a grant for their subsistence,” says Singh.
From 400 people in 2006, the number has fallen to a mere 73 beneficiaries across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Pondicherry till date. “Our oldest veteran is 98, while the youngest is nearly 73. Most of the beneficiaries today are their widows, since a lot of them have died over the years,” elaborates Singh.
The Association also tries to coordinate with different regimental funds in the UK to get them to donate an amount to persons who had once served in the units. “A lot of them worked for units like armoured corps. While some get a handsome gratuity, other people used to get less than `1,000 a month. Today each of them get `3,500 a month.”
Recently, Colonel Nigel Dransfield, controller finance, Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League, was in the city on a visit where he presided over a small function. Though there are a few nonagenarian veterans in Chennai, none of them could make it to the function because of their advanced age, with their widows and family members attending the event for them.
“The RCEL got an additional grant of £5 million this year, which was donated by the UK government from fines accrued in the aftermath of Libor Scandal,” says Dransfield. “This will allow us to double up payments to our beneficiaries for the next five years. Purpose of my visit is from a governance point of view; to ensure the monies go to the recipients, especially the wartime nurses and widows.” He also distributed amounts to beneficiaries who had gathered at the function held last week.
“The grant given by the association helps a great deal to cover my medical expenses,” said Josephine Maurice (76), whose late husband Francis Gregory Maurice served for 10 years during the war in
London. “It’s a great help for us. It was given to him when he was alive, and now it’s been passed onto me.”
Hazel Duggin (84) and her son, Noel, were also part of the function. “My father, Nicholas Duggin, served as a signalman during the war,” said Noel. “Whatever small pension we get from his service helps cover my mother’s expenses, especially since she likes to be independent,” In the same spirit, Singh welcomes the general public to contribute for the welfare of the beneficiaries. “We try to organise meetings once in a while. We will have one at St Mary’s Church on Armistice Day, and also during Christmas.”
To contact the Ex-Services Association or contribute, call 25612181