>> Is the RBL only open to Brits in Chile?
No. We also contain an organisation called "The Volunteer Fund". During World War I and World War II particularly, Chileans volunteered to serve in HM Forces. We will support them.
We raise money ourselves, we arrange support through us from various military charities and we are obviously part of and supported by RBL in London.
We run a well supported poppy appeal and Remembrance every year and work closely with the British Embassy - who are excellent for us.
In spirit, intent and mission it is the same, but the operational reality is different. e.g. normally British charities will not pay for ongoing health care since they are geared around a country which has a National Health Service.
One of our beneficiaries is a Chilean female now 98, in a home, no health insurance, no money and she flew and delivered fighters and bombers to war zones for the RAF. Imagine the bills! But by and large for her health care that money has to be raised locally.
Another of our beneficiaries is a 79 year old Scouser. Invalided out of the Army many years ago found living on the streets of Santiago last year having escaped from a modern slavery operation - alcoholic, cancer, back injury, penniless, living on the streets when we found him. Imagine those bills!
It's a much more personal organisation than the UK. I know most of our beneficiaries and have met most of them, drink beer with a couple of them if I visit.
It is totally non-political, we take no money for ourselves or RBL operations. Every last penny is spent on beneficiaries.
Because we're such an outpost we are close to the Establishment - British Embassy and all the Commonwealth Embassies, most of the European Embassies, Asian and surrounding Embassies.
Chile is essentially a military country and so we're close to the military here as well, particularly the Navy and Air force.
In fact that is how I got involved with the RBL because I was already in that world and knew the organisation and so was asked if I would join and help as a Director and a few years later I subsequently became Chairman.
It's very rewarding at many levels. It's very 'immediate'. I authorise a payment and I will hear or see of the difference it makes to someone's life almost immediately. Equally if someone has an issue then I will hear of it immediately.
Because of my closeness to many organisations then I can make things happen quickly and we are very well supported from London, particularly by RCEL, a fantastic organisation with some great people.
>> What percentage of Brits have been in the services?
Brits don't join the Forces from Chile any more. Or at least, very rarely. The ones that join(ed) from Chile were mainly those from families with close ties to the UK or with British ancestry.
However, a surprising amount of veterans travel. Or a surprising amount of older travellers are veterans, depending on how you look at it. So the British community here is fairly old and with quite a high military content.
Chile is also somewhat of an 'elitist' organisation; private clubs and the like. Now I appreciate that is not generally a good thing, but it does mean I can yank tails personally when I need to, which can be very useful.
We have plots and tombs in the main cemetery here and all ex-Servicemen and women have the right to be buried there if they wish. And many do. Of course we may for the expenses and look after their graves for ever.
There is an excellent sort of Anglican Community church here and they support us, so most funerals are held there. By law you have to bury someone within 48 hours of death, which can be challenging, so a very flexible and responsive church is essential to us.
Such services are always attended by diplomats out of respect. And Remembrance is held there. Our last Remembrance service, and remember that it was in the middle of the riots, was attended by 19 Ambassadors. That is b***** good.
It is unbelievably rewarding and almost reaffirming to work for such a 'good' charity which does so much direct good. To do something for no financial reward, actually it costs me, just to help others makes me feel better and probably settles a few karmic ghosts as well.
I received a photo yesterday of the ex-alcoholic scouser above moving into his new accommodation having had all the health care he's needed so far with more to come. Happier and safer than he has been in many a year and embarrassingly grateful.
On a much more shallow level I enjoy it. I have long moved in 'significant' places for want of a better word but rarely has my role been public. This is very public, and I enjoy that. Shallow, i know, but we all have to get some fun.
Of course our relevance to the Chileans is diminishing. We have no WWI veterans or dependents left and we have fewer WWII veterans and dependents. But not none, and some of them have fantastic and quite unbelievable stories to tell. Roughly about 70% of our expenditure is on WWII vets & dependents.
>> Sorry, it's all questions.
Sorry the answers are so long-winded. And probably quite disjointed. Phones weren't intended for this much typing.
Last edited by: No FM2R on Fri 15 May 20 at 18:21
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