Gents,
I have just fired off the following to my local MP. You'll find the email address for yours by typing in his name on a Google Search. Thanks to everyone so far for their support
Dear Mr Burnham,
As a retired Warrant Officer Class One, Army Catering Corps who served for 25 years as regular soldier and 5 years in CVHQ ACC I am looking for your support in stopping what I and many of my comrades see as a desecration of our Memorial Hall & Shrine in St Omer Barracks Aldershot.
The following is the text of a petition I currently have running on the No 10 Downing Street Website:
As part of the redevelopment plans for St Omer Barracks, Aldershot the ACC War Memorial Hall has been earmarked for reassignment as a Ghurka Temple and Families Centre to accommodate the needs of the Queens Own Ghurka Logistic Regiment when it moves from its present barracks in North Camp, in 2011.
As much as I love the Gurkha's this project is ill-conceived and an insult to our Corps fallen
This is not acceptable!
When will faceless MOD civil servant planners realise that this is not just a plot of land or any old building to the ACC, but a place of quiet reflection on our past and the ultimate sacrifice that some of our friends and comrades have paid for the continued price of democracy and freedom in the World?
This is our War Memorial!
Since when has it been UK policy to indiscriminately decide we cannot have it any longer?
If you agree please support this petition at:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/ACCMemorialHall/Please support this petition, I have had the honour to serve with the Gurkhas in Malaya (as was) and they are incredible soldiers, however, I feel that they also would be affronted if they knew the distress and concern that is and will be caused if this project is forced to go ahead
Kind Regards,
Ian E Scott FIH
Army Catering Corps (Retd)