Welfare support is a key role of the Rifles Secretary Durham.  Serving soldiers and ex-soldiers are free to apply and should receive a reply within 3 days. 

The Rifles Secretary Durham may need to visit the families of  soldiers of The Rifles, and of the former Light Infantry, injured while involved in active service operations in, for example, Iraq.

Other organisations such as the Veterans Agency, featured below, and The Royal Hospital Chelsea (click the name) may need to become involved in individual cases. 

The Rifles Durham Office liaises with these bodies as well as with the ABF, SSAFA and RBL and other support organisations as appropriate

There are young veterans and old veterans - Confused? 

Check below.  You could be one!

  National Veterans Day this year is 27 June - see website link below

Who is a Veteran?

Veterans are former members of HM Armed Forces (Navy, Army, RAF, regular or reserve. The term applies to all UK ex-servicemen and women.  There are an estimated 5.5 million in the country and with their wives, husbands, partners and children they comprise the 10.5 million-strong Veterans Community.

Are veterans all elderly?

Certainly not!  This is a common misconception, but veterans can be any age from 18 – 100 plus.  As soon as anyone leaves the Armed Forces they become a veteran.  Hundred of thousands are in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

Are National Servicemen veterans?

Yes.  The youngest is now 62 plus.  There are an estimated 2.2 million in the UK.

Who else can be called a veteran?

Veteran status also applies to a number of special groups such as those who once served in the Polish detachments under British command in WWII and Merchant Mariners who saw duty in military operations.

Do you need to have seen action to be a veteran?

No.  Veterans need not have served overseas or in conflict, only as part of the ‘trained strength’ of the Armed Forces.

How does Veterans Agency support veterans?

The Agency administers payments to veterans injured or disabled through service in the Armed Forces and to widows, widowers and civil partners of those killed in Service.  In addition the national (free) Veterans Helpline and website provide sound advice on many topics. Enquiries may also be redirected to a range of organisations that work in partnership with the Agency to support the Veterans Community.  The Helpline has up-to-date information on central/local government and 500 plus ex-service organisations and other voluntary groups.  When you need help and don’t know where to go, start here.

Click here on the

 Veterans Agency

name to visit  the organisation's web site where you will find detailed information.