From April, the War Pensions Agency was renamed the Veterans Agency. Arrangements are already in hand for Falkland veterans to return to the battlefields they made famous. We can expect radio and television programmes to remind us of the Falklands but probably not to dwell overmuch on those who were killed or injured.

The campaign in Afghanistan is likely to make headlines for many months to come but there is a danger we forget those who served their country years ago as young men and women and whose lives were changed forever as a result. Since the end of the Second World War in 1945, apart from one single year (1968), British servicemen have continually been involved in operations where they have been killed or injured.

For years the War Pensions Agency has provided help, not only for the injured but also their widows. One of the problems has been that many ex-servicemen who had been injured while serving their country had ruled themseIves out, thinking they could not be eligible, not having been involved in a war. By becoming the Veterans Agency, it is hoped greater numbers of injured or disabled ex-servicemen will realise they may be eligible for a pension or other forms of financial help.

The agency is anxious to ensure all of those who served their country, in whatever capacity, have access to the benefits to which they are entitled. For more information, call freephone 0800 169 2277.

-Penny Melville-Brown, Chairwoman, War Pensions Committee, Lewes