THE widow of a lifelong member of the Royal British Legion at Amesbury has claimed the organisation ignored her husband's death.

Jean Shields, of Fargo Road, Larkhill, is furious that the legion did not send a standard bearer to the funeral of her late husband, Daniel Shields.

Mr Shields served in the army for 27 years and was always a member of the legion.

But Mrs Shields says she has not even received a message of sympathy from the legion.

In a letter to the Journal, she said: "It is with great sadness that I feel the need to write this letter about an organisation that I always thought cared for its members.

"When I asked about the standard being carried, I was promptly told it was a working day and they had no one to do it.

"No one from the so-called committee has been to see if myself and my family are OK. Apparently, we were not members of the elite few.

"I am not the only wife who has received this sort of treatment in the past couple of years. It's at times like this when you realise who your true friends are."

Mrs Shields added that the legion should "take stock, get their act together and start treating all members with equal respect".

Branch chairman Bob Jackson dismissed the allegation that the legion had ignored the passing of its member.

He said: "I was telephoned on Friday to say the funeral was on Monday. I asked around but we only have one standard bearer, who was unavailable at such short notice.

"I said I was awfully sorry and suggested she contacted the branches in Shrewton or Salisbury. She didn't ask for anything else.

"I immediately put a notice up informing people about the service."