Bernard Jackson

Champion in fight against Frozen Pensions

Bernard Jackson was born London 13 December 1922, within the "Sound of Bow Bells" which makes him a true cockney.    He is proud to claim that he still talks like one.

After leaving school he was an office boy at a medical school for some time and then moved to Music Publishers Francis Day & Hunter. He joined the RAFVR (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve) in December 1941, and trained as a Wireless Operator.  In 1942 he was posted to a mobile wireless unit and learned to drive a 3 ton Wireless truck.  Their job was, as one of 3 units, to provide air cover to frontline troops using radio with trained observers.

Subsequently they were also trained in, and took on the responsibility of, ground defence of airfields.. It was understood they would proceed to the desert campaign in North Africa, Rommel having overrun and captured many of their sister units in the to and fro in the campaigns.
However at embarkation their mission was suddenly changed to training for the invasion of Europe.  Combined operation training included a few weeks on board a Destroyer in the Channel, during which period he acquired a love of the sea.

He was demobbed in 1946 and had a bash at being self employed. He sold Government Surplus and even manufactured toilet products. He met his wife, Freda, at a dance in 1948 and after a whirlwind romance, married her the same year.  They both ran a Ladies Dress Belts factory for a time.  Later he became a licensed London Taxi Driver.

They now have 2 sons, both living in UK. and one Granddaughter now age 20 at University in UK. 

In 1979 Bernard and his wife were invited to Vancouver, Canada by his wife's cousin.  They fell in love with the laid back attitude of people, the scenery, cost of living and the fact that lots of Rental apartments were available, the water was drinkable, and the natives spoke English!!! 

They visited yearly and in 1986, at a visit during EXPO, they decided this was the place to retire to and get a new life.  This was made easier by the UK government offering one year early retirement (at 64) if the retiree could find a person on the unemployment register to take the job.

The company Bernard had worked for during 19 years, the Co-op Insurance,  was a member of the scheme, and as an Insurance agent, he was able to sell his "Book" to a man who had just left the Merchant Navy. 

Application for emigration went speedily and 1988 saw us as Landed
Emigrants in their new home in Vancouver.

Bernard and Freda have always endeavoured to visit UK every year, until 3 years ago. Freda having Glaucoma, needed her eye drops to be kept refrigerated.  After 9/11  they experienced the problem that airlines would not allow them, to be put in the onboard refrigerator.

I joined the RAFVR in December 1941, and trained as a Wireless Operator.
Middle of 1942 I was posted to a mobile wireless unit and
learned to drive a 3 ton Wireless truck.  Our job was as one of 3 units to
provide Air Cover to frontline troops using our Radio with trained
observers.
Subsequently we trained as ground defence of airfields as well. It was
understood we would proceed to The Desert, Rommel having over run and
captured many of our sister units in the to and fro in the campaigns.

At embarkation our purpose was changed to training for the invasion of
Europe.  Combined operation training included a few weeks on board a
Destroyer in the Channel, during which period I acquired my love of being at
sea.

I was demobilised in 1946, met my wife at a dance in 1948 and we married the
same year.
We have 2 sons, both living in UK. and one Granddaughter now age 20 at
University in UK.
It has been our endeavour to visit UK every year, until 3 years ago my wife
having Glaucoma, we ran into the problem of her drops having to be kept in a
refrigerator, after 9/11 airlines will not  allow them, to be put in the
onboard refrigerator.
He have lived in since  April 1988.
The frozen pension has infuriated us both since I received the UK Retirement
Pension in Canada and discovered it was FROZEN.
At no time did any UK Pensions department advise us this would happen..

Parading every 11th of November with other Veterans, my anger at a
government who treat their ex-pats  so contemptibly, grows ever stronger.

 In 2005 Bernard filed an anti-discrimination lawsuit against the UK Government with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). 

Jackson, WWII veteran and vice chair of the Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners (CABP), is heading an international group of a dozen other applicants named in the lawsuit.  They sought cost-of-living indexation of British state pensions for the 50% of expatriate pensioners who are selected for exclusion from such annual upgrades.

Bernard Jackson.
email....bernardjackson@shaw.ca
Telephone....604-685-1877

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