Six Case Studies of the 3,443 beneficiaries we support

Emeh, 80 was married to Shadrick Lufino in 1958. He joined the Rhodesian African Rifles in 1945 and was discharged in 1956. He worked as a driver in Lusaka, Zambia but had to retire early after a bad accident. Emeh worked as a domestic assistant and has had a challenging life - all nine of her children have died. She uses her SCOWP grant to buy food. She has problems with her kidneys but cannot always afford the medication required to treat the condition. “Thank you for remembering my husband’s service. The grant means I can buy food to keep me healthy.”
James, 78 enlisted into the Rhodesian African Rifles in 1967 at Mbalabala at the age of 21. He first became a quarter master and eventually a colour sergeant. He remembers one incident during the bush war where he was driving in a convoy with three other army vehicles. He was in the last vehicle, and they hit a mine. He said that of the five soldiers in the vehicle, only two survived. James suffered a leg injury and damage to his hearing. After leaving the Army in 1989, James worked as a security guard in Bulawayo. He is widowed and has no surviving children. “My welfare grant means I can survive.  Without it, I don’t know what I would do.”
Moses, turned 100 in January 2024. He served with the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers between 1942-1949.  As a Driver/Mechanic, Moses saw service in Burma, Ceylon and British Somalia.  After basic training and trade training in Kenya, his first service was in Burma, part of the 14th Army.  Moses remembers being proud his personal kit was always in good order and being ready to do his job.  
After Army service, Moses married and had a family of 8 children, 3 sons and 5 daughters.  Moses’ service was recognised by award of the Burma Star campaign medal.  Sadly, Moses’ discarded his British medals in fear of Mau Mau reprisals.  Post-war, Moses was employed for 30 years as a manager on the Kiru coffee estate. He is hugely grateful for his welfare grant which he depends on to purchase food.
Muhammad Sadiq is 100 years old. He served in the British Army between 1943 and 1947 and the Pakistan Army between 1949 and1964.  He received a Burma Star Medal, but this was destroyed when his house collapsed.
“I use these funds to purchase food, clothes, medicine and pay electricity bill. The life is passing in a good manner with the help of these funds. Best wishes and prayers to you all.”
Stanley, is a sprightly 102-year-old living in the Curphey Home in Jamaica. Stanely was a RAF WWII radar direction finding operator. Stanley is engaging and has the energy of someone decades younger. He receives an annual grant from the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund via RCEL.
Wisdom, 96 joined the Army when he was just 15 years old.  Having completed his formal education at the EP Senior High School, he decided to fulfil his ambitions by joining the Army.  Although he had only just left school, as his Army records attest, he recalls: “I wanted to enlist and, if you looked 18, then they would accept you.”  
He enlisted in Kibi, Ghana in 1943 and attended the city’s Army Training School, before passing his Trade Test as an 'Electrician Group ‘B’ Class II'.  Wisdom was discharged from the Army on 6 August 1946.  His military conduct was described as 'exemplary’ while his testimonial read: ‘A really outstanding Sapper in every way.  Very intelligent.  First class knowledge of theoretical and practical electrical engineering.’
He went on to have a successful career and is well travelled. Now in the evening of his life, he is very grateful for the welfare grant he receives which makes life ‘a little more comfortable.’
RCEL - Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League - Registered Charity No. 1174874 - Haig House, 199 Borough High Street, London SE1 1AA, United Kingdom - Telephone +44 (0)20 3207 2413

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