Navy veteran launches campaign for pensions

May 14 2009 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

A WEST Lothian Navy veteran is leading a campaign for equality in pensions for retired armed forces personnel.

Bob McMorran joined the Royal Navy in 1956 and served for 18 years, reaching the rank of leading seaman.

But because he left the Navy before June 1975 the Bathgate man does not receive any military pension from the government.

Thousands of former service personnel are in the same position and Bob is part of a group demanding answers from politicians.

The veteran is the Lothians representative of the Armed Forces Pension Group (AFPG) who are demanding equality for the ex armed forces personnel.

Bob told the Courier: “Any service personnel leaving before June 1975, who had not completed 22 years pensionable service, didn’t receive a pension.

“Yet anyone leaving after June 1975 who hadn’t completed 22 years service does receive a pension, in ratio to the number of years served, at the age of 60.

“That is why we want equality and would like to know why there is a cut off date.

“Prime Minister Gordon Brown recently said that the demands placed on the armed forces in the course of their duty were unique and this sets them apart from others who serve and protect society.

“How can he say that and then deny us a pension because we served before a certain time?

“When I look back, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Navy and only remember the good times.

“I served all across the world and made many great friends.

“But this leaves a bit of a bad taste in the mouth by the way the Government is doing this and treating us.

”We currently have 4,000 members in the AFPG and are always on the look out for more. If anyone thinks they would qualify then they should check the website.”

The AFPG is having a meeting on Saturday, May 30 to raise awareness of the issue. It is being held at the Scots Guards Club, 2 Clifton Terrace, Edinburgh at noon

Everyone is welcome to attend and Colin Challen MP is expected to attend.

For more information check out the AFPG website on www.afpg.info or call Bob on 01506 656550.