大象传媒

Chapter Fourteen
Postscript
Hung on the wall in Old Hunstanton church is a commemoration plaque under glass of all those local men who lost their lives in WW2. Amongst those men listed is Sgt. Tuck. In their haste the local powers (the Council) printed this commemoration to adorn the Church wall. It is quite evident that in their haste, they blotted out their ability to check thoroughly first. Sgt. Tuck was around to celebrate his 92nd birthday although under rather sad circumstances.

In the year 2003 Sgt Tuck now 91 years old has serious health problems. The house with which he shares with his wife no longer enables him to climb stairs. He is unable to get to a toilet due to his lack of use of his legs. He suffers severe panic attacks and required constant attention. With good intent a flat was obtained for him in a care home in Wisbech that cost him 拢400 a month. This included not only meals but also care. What he really needed was the company of others since he is resolved to sitting in his chair all day looking at four walls. His wife visits every day and tidies up his room since it seems the care she pays for doesn't include cleaning or possibly her regular visits are just taken advantage of?

Sgt Tucks increasing panic attacks created animosity with the so-called care staff and he was transferred to Kings Lynn Hospital for assessment in June 2001. In other words the care home didn't want him back? After waiting more than a week to see a doctor he was eventually transferred to the North Cambridgeshire Hospital in Wisbech. Mean while his wife was pressured by the authorities to continue paying 拢400 a month for his flat which he has not slept in for five months. His wife was advised that in order to get him into a proper home she would have to sell her home to pay for it. No thought as to where she will live if this is done. In September 2001 he was found temporary residence in an old peoples home. In November 2001 it was decided he would remain in this home at 拢181.25 a week. This was ignoring the fact his wife had been paying 拢400 a month for the earlier flat due to the threat from the Social security that vacating the flat before a permanent decision was made regarding Sgt. Tucks resettlement would technically make him homeless. This is officialdom gone mad? Having visited him myself many times I feel sure he would rather be dead since there is practically nothing to occupy him since the remainder of the residence seated around the day room are all women who either asleep or go ranting on due to their mental condition.

This is how we treat our Heroes. Their serving actions have been forgoten and they are now treated like 2nd class citizens and looked after by a staff who were born well after the end of WW2 who are not as dedicated to their job as those who fought in the last war. Is this really the British way to say thank you to men like these?

Sgt Herbert Tuck passed away on the 20th February 2004 aged 92.
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