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After World War One, troops returning to civilian life faced mass unemployment and poverty. Disillusionment soon turned to civil unrest. Masses of ex-servicemen, trained to use weapons, posed a real threat to the rule of government. Envisaging a possible armed revolt, the 1920 firearms act enforced gun licensing, restricting sales of weapons to civilians. The patriotic euphoria of 1914 had changed to one of grief and deep resentment for the powers that be. War disabled faced extreme hardship as the government cared little for their plight. Within the immediate aftermath of World War One, some Veterans Associations emerged that threatened the stability of the country. To quell the threat, the British Legion was formed in 1921. Between the world wars, pacifism also flourished. The 1930 anti-war film “All Quiet on the Western Front” helped to swell the ranks of war objectors. The famous 1933 Oxford Union debate voted for a resolution “This House will not fight for King and Country.” Prior to World War Two, a British Legion delegation visited Germany for peace talks. Also in a bid to prevent further conflict they endeavoured to forge links between German and British War Veterans. With the outbreak of World War Two the British Legion suddenly changed. The pre-war organisation that, in many ways, reflected the antiwar sentiment of that time emerged from World War Two as an organisation that reflects an image of war that best suits the authorities.
Military resources alone do not win wars. The art of manipulating public opinion is also a major factor. Industrialised wars are fought in the interests of a minority to the detriment of the majority. Propaganda gives the impression they are fought for the majority to the detriment of the minority! The authorities had learnt many lessons after World War One; the importance of continuing propaganda in the aftermath of conflict became apparent. Creating a national feeling of unity bonded by militarism is in governments’ best interest, but in peacetime they cannot be seen to do this. They therefore use a messenger, the British Legion; the “Royal” prefix was granted in 1971. Anyone who was in the forces, regardless of whether they saw action or not, can join the Royal British Legion and be worshipped by the populous as a hero; it’s very enticing and not exclusive. During World War Two, it could take up to five men to keep one man in the fighting line. It goes without question the Royal British Legions’ network of cosy gentleman’s drinking clubs lures many keen patriot ex-service non-combatant armchair warriors, battle hardened by Hollywood! Emotions prevent them from talking about their wartime activities! Admittedly many genuine War Veterans, who belong to the Legion, do not speak of their wartime experiences but sadly countless imitators exploit this.
Government web-sites and literature cannot fail to impress, it is propaganda at its best. Look behind the glossy facade and the reality is very different. The same old disregard for disabled War Veterans still exists; the only difference is the authorities are more efficient at hiding it. The Royal British Legion emotionally blackmails the public into parting with their money by using carefully choreographed imagery and poignant statements. Supporting genuinely needy veterans and a questionable number of hangers on is sacrosanct. To be seen to do it, especially amongst prominent members of the media is almost mandatory. Dire poverty often forces War Veterans to toe the humiliating charitable line. By accepting this benevolence, the War Veteran becomes an integral part of the regimental heroics, military promotion and war acceptance extravaganza. It is a perpetual gloss over that makes war more palatable for the masses and helps cover up a multitude of improprieties. It can easily be said that if it were not for the Royal British Legion, the sacrifices of previous generations and their welfare in the aftermath would be forgotten. This is true, to a point; benevolence is praiseworthy but when it forms part of the authorities’ agenda it brings the charitable aspect into question.
If the Royal British Legion were really supporting War Veterans, they would be a thorn in the side of all governments. By turning Veterans’ affairs into a charity, they have let successive governments off the hook . It’s on a par to the personnel department of a multinational company. Staff are given the impression personnel are on their side. Friendly smiles, coffee on tap and a cosy chat, help to offset staff dissatisfaction with pay or working conditions. Making people feel important by giving them job title promotion, to boost their ego, whilst they continue to do exactly the same job with the same pay helps to offset requests for wage increases. The personnel department give workers the impression they are fully supporting their rights. In reality, personnel are working on behalf of senior management and shareholders by helping to maintain low wages and harmony amongst the workers. Likewise, the Royal British Legion is supposed to support ex-service persons by giving the impression they are always there to help. In reality they are working in the best interests of successive governments. If the British Legion were really working on behalf of ex-service people they would not be so intertwined with the authorities and by now War Veterans should not have to face the humiliation of means testing and charity handouts (also means tested). The current bureaucratic obstacle course (a complete waste of tax payers money) should be totally unnecessary, as genuine War Veterans should automatically receive adequate pensions and compensation. Admittedly the Royal British Legion work hard to help their members negotiate the arduous and seemingly endless form filling and assessment endurance tests, to enable the claimant to receive a pittance, if lucky. The assistance though is only within the confines of government legislation, so in a sense it’s like a charitable government advice line! The efficiency when conscripting people into the forces during and after World War Two was second to none, without the aid of computers! The efficiency is also breathtaking when the government takes money in the form of taxes and fines, so there is no reason why the same efficiency cannot be employed to provide War Veterans with an adequate income - it’s not rocket science! The enormous infrastructure of bureaucrats employed to deter claimants, no doubt, costs more than if Veterans automatically received adequate payment as a right, not a begrudged pittance. It’s doubtful the system will ever change as the image consultants makeover has been perfected over the years, brainwashing people into unquestioning loyalty. Support for the Royal British Legion is so infused in the populous psyche it is taboo to question any aspect of it. The art of propaganda continues to hide major injustices.
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