SECOND World War widows, the few that are left, will know that Jo Haywood's apparent concern for Miss Homsi (May 14) who received an "eventual" £250,000 special payment from the Ministry of Defence is misplaced - even fanciful!
It so happens that the young woman had been treated better than royalty itself. When the late Duke of Kent was killed in a flying-boat while on active service in August 1942, it was known that his widow Princess Marina was in reduced circumstances.
Parliament did not grant the Duchess of Kent an allowance (special or otherwise). It was considered that it would be inadvisable to tackle this "always tricky subject" as so many war widows were suffering financial hardship. Therefore it would be unseemly for Parliament to vote money for a member of the royal family.
Miss Homsi's financial position was discussed in Parliament apparently without any misgivings about the shabby treatment of Second World War widows. The result was financial security for the rest of her life, in stark contrast to the hardships endured by war widows.
Mrs Ida Mary Goodrick,
Woodlands Avenue,
Updated: 10:25 Monday, May 20, 2002
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article