PM David Cameron backs Matthew Telford pension battle
PRIME Minister David Cameron is personally backing the mother of fallen Grimsby soldier Matthew Telford in her fight for fair pensions.
Cheryl Telford, whose son was shot dead by a rogue police officer in Afghanistan in November last year, is fighting to receive the pension she believes Sgt Telford was entitled to – for the sake of her grandchildren and other families in the same situation.
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MISSION: Cheryl Telford, the mother of the late Matthew Telford, inset, who is campaigning over his military pension. Picture: Michelle Adamson
Because the 37-year-old, of the 1st battalion of the Grenadier Guards, had only been promoted to acting sergeant five months before he died, he was not entitled to a full sergeant's pension, as reported.
Current Ministry of Defence rule state that when a member of the Armed Forces is given an acting promotion, they must serve a year before their pension entitlement also increases.
This rule relates to a scheme created in 1975, which has now closed but still applies to soldiers enrolled in it.
The late Matthew Telford
Mrs Telford, who feels this is unfair, has already gained the backing of 73 MPs and more than 3,500 people who have signed petitions calling for Parliament to debate the issue.
And now the Prime Minister has personally written to her in support.
He referred to Sgt Telford's death as a "dreadful murder", and said: "We are committed to ensure we can do everything possible".
Read more in today's Grimsby Telegraph – and find out how you can help.
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by Josephine white, Grimsby
Thursday, September 02 2010, 8:43AM
“Sgt Bilko wrote: "Your country is becoming a joke, get real, get out and make your voices heard, demand action".
It won't happen SB .. I've been advocating various forms of 'public action' for years, to no avail. The sheeple far too fat and lazy.
Oh, they're angry alright .. and very adept at ranting on forums like this. They're very good at 'loading the bullets' so people like Mrs Telford (and other campaigners like myself) can stand up and fire them in the right direction. But when push comes to shove and they're asked to actually DO something, the vast majority end up just patting you on the back, exhorting you to 'keep up the good work!' .. and then going back to their sofa, their telly, their greenhouses, their flippin' macramé lessons/walking clubs/reading groups or whatever .. or toddling back down the pub (for another good old rant no doubt).
Fact is, the whole nation *should* be up in arms over the disgraceful treatment of our armed forces at the hands of successive governments. They *should* have been massing in their hundreds of thousands on Westminster years ago - not only in support of our soldiers - but for a *hundred* other reasons.
Perhaps if they had - and our so-called 'elected representatives' were left in absolutely NO doubt that they're expected to do as they're damn-well told - the likes of Sgt Telfords very brave mum wouldn't have to!!
Campaigns like Mrs Telfords *should* be making national headlines .. but what's today's rolling news on the telly and splashed on the front pages of every paper?? The villain of the piece himself, Mr. Anthony Charles Lynton Blair, advertising his blood-soaked biography. Lots more luvverly lolly for *him* and his vampire wife then!
And we put up with it. And we put up with it, and we put up with it, and we put up with it.
The old adage .. " People get the government (and the media) they deserve" .. has never been truer than in today's Britain.
I despair of it.”
by Still serving, GY
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 10:42PM
“I have signed the online petition and hope the rules do change for all the lads/lasses in the future. Good luck.”
by Anthony WALKER, Louth
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 7:27PM
“Too right! He died doing our (well, the Government of the day's) bidding. Had he died from any other cause, I might be able to understand it, perhaps!
These Lads and Lasses who voluntarily serve in our Armed Services are very brave and all deserve far better treatment and respect than they are getting.
There are quirks and anomalies in the system which need to be brought up to date now - we owe that to them at the very least.
Mrs Telford I wish you every success - I hope that David Cameron does actually do something constructive about this. Your Son was very brave! He, and his Kith and Kin, deserve batter!”
by Sgt.Bilko, Confined to barracks
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 6:15PM
“I do hope that something positive will happen for the families of all fallen soldiers.But HEY! this is Britain 2010 and such worthy causes are put in the maybe file tray. If,however, you are an unmarried unemployed mother of 10 from a foreign country that has never paid into the system that you are systematically draining your file will be given to the positive outcome quick as you can department. Your country is becoming a joke, get real, get out and make your voices heard, demand action. I am sure the true people of the UK will agree to this mothers demands.”
by douglas, Cyprus
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 5:59PM
“I hope Mrs Telford is successful in her attempt to get better conditions for action up ranks in the Armed Forces,it will not be easy to do as it is substansive ranks through qualified entilement verses acting ranks which is a career development position for the future.”