EX-SERVICEMEN fighting for equal pension rights are to hold their first meeting in the city next week.

The Armed Forces Pension Group (AFPG) is hoping thousands of people who served in the Armed Forces will join them at their day of action on Saturday, July 18.

Currently, the Ministry of Defence only pays pensions to those who served at least 22 years at any time, until April, 1975.

This is despite taking money out of wages to contribute towards the pension scheme, which many servicemen are now not entitled to.

During service, members of the Armed Forces weren’t allowed to pay into a private pension.

Childwall’s Tony Bullen, who served in the Navy for nine years, said it was time for the Ministry of Defence to give people their pensions.

Mr Bullen, who is AFPG co-ordinator for the North-West, said: “I loved serving my country, the camaraderie, but I’m angry that many people have now been forgotten.

“We signed up and back in those days you never got a wage slip – you went up once a fortnight, took off your hat, and they put your money inside.

“We never knew they took money out for a pension. I met a 91-year old man, ex-Navy, who had served in two world wars.

“He served 21 years and seven months, then was told his trade wasn’t needed and he was dismissed.

“He doesn’t get a penny and is now struggling on benefits.”