Lloyd raises Veterans Badge awareness

9.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 3rd Aug 2007

Eastbourne campaigner Stephen Lloyd is launching a major campaign across Eastbourne & Willingdon to bring to the attention of local residents that if they served in the UK Armed Forces before December 31st 1994, they might be entitled to a "Veterans Badge".

As well as the group above, those who can also qualify for a badge include; Merchant Navy seamen if they served during military operations, the Home Guard, Polish Forces under UK command, members of the Cyprus Regiment during the Second World War, veterans of the Suez Canal Zone (1951-54), as well as War Widows and Widowers who receive a War Widows/Widowers Pension paid by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency.

Commenting Stephen said: "I would encourage local veterans to apply for this badge. It's important that their contributions and sacrifices are recognised and honoured and this is just one way of doing that. Having spoken to a number of ex-service personnel recently it was clear to me the overwhelming majority simply did not know of the badge. I hope that my bringing this to the public's attention through the pages of the Herald, will inspire more people to submit an application."

Bert Leggett, a former Mayor of Eastbourne, who applied for a Veterans Badge when informed of his entitlement by Stephen Lloyd said: "My army service was with the Royal Army Ordnance Corp and then the Intelligence Corp in the fifties. It was an extraordinary time in my life and in a way this Veterans Badge is a quiet reminder of my former comrades and of a world long gone. I hope other veterans locally will either contact Stephen for details about how to apply for their own badge, or visit the Veterans Agency site on the Internet."

Another veteran Brian Staker added: "My service was with the RAF in Coastal Command. I enjoyed every moment of it and this badge will be a lasting memento for me."

If residents feel that they might qualify for the badge they are welcome to contact 01323 733030 or write to Stephen Lloyd's office at:

Stephen Lloyd

Eastbourne Lib Dems

100 Seaside Road

Eastbourne

East Sussex BN21 3PF

Alternatively a copy of the form can be downloaded from: http://www.veterans-uk.info/vets_badge/vets_badge.htm

Lloyd has vowed to keep up his campaign for as long as it takes to ensure every veteran across the constituency becomes aware of the Veterans Badge, and to assist those local residents who would like to apply. "One of my uncles served in Malaya with the Ghurkha's in the fifties and early sixties. The sacrifices he and his colleagues made, and continue to make, will always remain valued. This badge is just one way the nation can show its appreciation."