Foresters waiting for war-time benefits

A group of foresters from this province say they are the forgotten ones.

The foresters are waiting to receive war-time benefits from Ottawa.

About 1,000 of them from this province went to Britain during the Second World War, guarding airports and beaches from the enemy.

The survivors and their spouses have spent 30 years looking for some kind of compensation from government.

Botwood resident Lloyd Thompson, who has been leading the fight, says foresters were promised benefits similar to those approved for merchant sailors.

Ottawa questions role of foresters

But the package never came.

Thompson continues to soldier on for the remaining 300 or so foresters.

He's asked Gander-Grand Falls MP Rex Barnes to look into their case.

Barnes says the foresters played a significant role during the war and deserve to be compensated.

"We understand that were promised compensation," Barnes says.

"However, it appears ... there was a group of foresters that was deemed not eligible because they did not play, the federal government feels, an active part in the war."

Barnes says the issue is further complicated by the fact that Legion branches across the country also question the role of foresters.