A Guide for Former RAMC Members
Many former members of the Royal Army Medical Corps now live outside the United Kingdom. Whether you have retired to southern Europe, followed family to Australia, or settled somewhere entirely unexpected, your service still matters. Furthermore, the support you earned during your time in uniform does not stop at the border.
This guide brings together the key organisations, contacts, and resources available to you. It focuses specifically on support for UK veterans living abroad, so you can find help quickly and confidently.
You Are Still Entitled to Support
A common misconception is that leaving the UK means leaving your entitlements behind. That is simply not the case. Several major charities and government services actively reach out to veterans living overseas. Additionally, the RAMC Association itself maintains a route into welfare support for former Corps members wherever they are based.
Your eligibility for support depends on your service record, not your postcode.
The Royal British Legion: Your First Point of Contact
The Royal British Legion (RBL) is one of the most important starting points for support for UK veterans living abroad. If you are calling from overseas, you can reach the RBL helpline on +44 (0)20 3376 8080. Lines are open 8am to 8pm, seven days a week (UK time). You can also email the team directly. britishlegion
The range of support the RBL offers is broad. From helping ease the burden of financial pressure, to support with debt and emergency situations, to providing specialist compensation advice, the RBL can be there for you when things get tough. britishlegion
Importantly, the RBL has 96 branches outside the UK, on hand to support serving and ex-serving personnel and their families. That is a significant global network. Therefore, even if you live in a remote area, there may well be a branch closer than you think. britishlegion
What the RBL Grants Scheme Covers
The RBL grants scheme can provide essentials for you and your family in times of need. This could include food or clothing vouchers, funeral costs, mobility vehicles and aids, or even household appliances and furniture. britishlegion
The scheme is flexible by design. The RBL considers almost all requests, though it cannot help with:
- Business debt repayments
- Loans or legal expenses
- Medical care costs
- Situations where state assistance is already available
Compensation and War Pension Claims
If your service caused an injury or illness, do not assume distance prevents a claim. If you have suffered an injury or illness due to your service, the RBL can help you claim under the War Pensions Scheme. Experts can provide advice and information, and may be able to represent you at a tribunal for free. britishlegion
Bear in mind that although advice and preparations can take place remotely, tribunals and hearings must always be lodged and heard in the UK. So plan ahead if you need to travel back for this purpose. britishlegion
If You Need a Translator
Language barriers should never prevent you from getting help. If you are unable to pay for an interpreter, the RBL grants scheme may help. The RBL can help provide an interpreter if you need medical care or support accessing state services. britishlegion
SSAFA: Face-to-Face Support Around the World
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, is another essential resource for support for UK veterans living abroad. SSAFA is a trusted source of practical, emotional, and financial support for serving personnel, veterans, and their families in times of need. Trained teams of volunteers and employees help more than 66,000 people, from Second World War veterans to those who have served in more recent conflicts. Veterans’ Gateway
Crucially for expat members, SSAFA has Overseas Branches in five countries: France, Germany, Cyprus, Thailand and the Republic of Ireland, supporting both active-serving personnel and veterans, and their families, in those countries. SSAFA
In addition, SSAFA has Overseas Serving Community Teams in seven countries: Brunei, the Netherlands, Cyprus, Germany, Gibraltar, Nepal and Belgium, directly supporting Armed Forces personnel and their families deployed to British bases. SSAFA
Even if you do not live in one of those countries, SSAFA can still help. SSAFA provides a number of health and welfare services to British service personnel and their families, and can connect you with caseworkers remotely. SSAFA
How SSAFA’s Casework System Works
SSAFA works through trained volunteer caseworkers. They assess your situation and then connect you with the right combination of support. This matters in particular for RAMC members, because the RAMC Association’s own benevolence route runs through SSAFA.
All cases must come to RAMC Benevolence via the local SSAFA caseworker. This applies to serving and retired personnel. So if you need financial assistance through the RAMC Charity, your first step is to contact SSAFA, who will then manage the referral process on your behalf.
You can reach SSAFA’s Forcesline on 0800 260 6767 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm UK time), or via live chat on the SSAFA website.
The RAMC Association: Staying Connected From Anywhere
The RAMC Association provides welfare assistance, remembrance activity, events and opportunities for members of the Corps and their families to stay connected. Working closely with regimental networks and partner organisations, it offers a community for former members wherever they are. The RAMC Association
The RAMC Association was formed in 1925 to foster camaraderie among WW1 Corps veterans, with Sir William Leishman as the first President. There are now branches around the UK. However, if you live overseas and cannot attend branch meetings, you can still maintain your membership.
The Aldershot Branch acts as a natural home for overseas members who need a parent branch. Aldershot has deep roots in Corps history, and joining through it keeps you formally connected to the Association structure. You receive all the benefits of membership, stay linked to welfare and benevolence support, and remain part of the Corps family, regardless of where in the world you are based.
Membership keeps you connected to Corps news, events, and the wider welfare network. It also ensures that if you ever need benevolence support, you are already known to the Association.
RAMC Association Membership
The RAMC Association is maintained by Full and Associate membership. Full membership is for people who are serving or who have served with the RAMC. Associate membership is for anyone who has been associated with the RAMC, now or in the past.
To join or renew, visit the RAMC Association website at ramcassociation.org.uk.
We would also suggest checking your membership status. We can update contact details and make sure you are still listed as a member.
ABF: The Soldiers’ Charity — Support Across 52 Countries
The Army Benevolent Fund (ABF), now trading as ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, is the national charity of the British Army. In 2024, it assisted over 80,000 people across 52 countries. Its services include help with housing, mobility, and education, as well as hardship grants, while the organisation also funds other frontline charities.
As a former RAMC soldier, you qualify for ABF support. The fund focuses on fast, responsive assistance. Therefore, if you face a sudden financial crisis abroad, ABF is worth contacting alongside the RBL and SSAFA.
Veterans UK: Government Support You Can Access Online
Veterans UK is a Ministry of Defence service that provides official government support. Veterans UK provides free support for veterans and their families, including a helpline, Veterans Welfare Service, Defence Transition Services and injury/bereavement compensation scheme payments. GOV.UK
Importantly, veterans can now apply for and download a secure digital version of the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card via the GOV.UK One Login app. This card is useful proof of your veteran status when accessing services abroad. GOV.UK
Visit gov.uk/support-for-veterans to explore the full range of government-backed resources.
Useful Government Links for Veterans Living Overseas
The RBL also points veterans to several official resources that are specifically relevant to life abroad. These include:
- Department for Work and Pensions — information about benefits, insurance, employment, pensions and medical care abroad
- GOV.UK — a comprehensive source covering living abroad, education, employment, money and more
- Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office — country-specific travel advice, what to do if something goes wrong, and embassy contact details
Key Contacts at a Glance
Here is a quick-reference list of the most important numbers and links for support for UK veterans living abroad:
- Royal British Legion (overseas): +44 (0)20 3376 8080 — 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week
- SSAFA Forcesline: 0800 260 6767 — Mon to Thu 9am to 5pm, Fri 9am to 4pm (also live chat)
- RAMC Association HQ: ramcassociation.org.uk
- Veterans UK: gov.uk/support-for-veterans
- ABF The Soldiers’ Charity: soldierscharity.org
You Served. You Are Not Forgotten.
Distance does not diminish what you gave. Moreover, it does not reduce what you deserve. Whether you need financial help, compensation advice, or simply want to stay connected with the Corps family, the support is there. Reach out early, because the sooner you make contact, the faster the right help can reach you.
If you are unsure where to start, contact the RAMC Association directly. The team will point you in the right direction and, where needed, make the right introductions on your behalf.
Are you an overseas RAMC member who has benefited from any of these services? We would love to hear your story. Contact the Association at https://www.ramcassociation.org.uk/contact-us/
