Two prominent ex-solders have welcomed the town council's move to sign up for the nationally recognised Armed Forces Covenant, which pledges to protect the interests of veterans.

Mark Brennan, chair of the Hadleigh Royal British Legion, and Suffolk County and Babergh District councillor Mick Fraser have spoken in support of the initiative.

The agenda item to be discussed by councillors at the full Hadleigh Town Council meeting at 7pm on Thursday reads:

'To approve that Hadleigh Town Council will sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant. There is no cost involved, it is about pledging to help and promote service personnel, their families and veterans in our town.'

Mr Brennan, a retired army officer who served for 29 years, hopes even more groups and organisations will sign up to the Covenant.

"I am delighted that the HTC have decided to adopt the Covenant and I look forward to thanking the mayor in person once the lockdown restrictions are lifted," said Mr Brennan. "While service life can be very rewarding, it can also have its disadvantages.

"The Armed Forces Covenant was specifically set up to provide a promise by the nation to ensure that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.

"The government have asked that local authorities, businesses and organisations all sign up to the covenant in order to show their support."

In backing the move Cllr Fraser pointed out there were tangible benefits both for veterans and council-backed projects.

He said: "Both Suffolk and Babergh have signed up to the covenant and I look forward to Hadleigh Town Council doing so also, as is their intent.

"In doing so it would indicate their formal recognition of the veterans, service personnel and their families living here. It would compel them to promise to encourage our community in supporting the armed forces community here, including promoting understanding and awareness.

"There could also be tangible benefits, such as being able to apply for covenant funding for respective projects. I would encourage local businesses to sign up to the covenant as well here..."

Hadleigh town council has a number of veterans among its ranks, with the live-in caretaker at the Guildhall a former Guardsman, Mayor Frank Minns a former Royal Navy officer, while other councillors have relatives who served.

Cllr Fraser, is also Suffolk's armed forced champion, which involves him sitting on Suffolk's Armed Forces Covenant Board alongside representatives from other local government authorities, and regular and reservist units based across the county, who all work together to ensure that the principles of the covenant are endorsed and upheld.

He said: "You might ask, what is the Armed Forces Covenant? It is the nation's commitment to those who proudly protect our nation, who do so with honour, courage, and commitment.

"It is a pledge that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.

"The covenant focusses on helping members of the armed forces community have the same access to government and commercial services and products as any other citizen. This support is provided in a number of areas including:

Education and family well-being

Housing

Starting a new career

Access to healthcare

Financial assistance

Discounted services

"Hadleigh has very strong ties with the military family, of course. Our War Memorial lists scores of names of those who fell during the two World War conflicts of the 20th Century and stands testament to their ultimate sacrifice in the defence of this country.

"Many servicemen and women stationed at Wattisham and other local bases, are quartered here. Indeed, I had the privilege of being one of the first service families to be housed here in 2002.

"Like many of my former comrades, I decided to settle permanently with my family in our town, shortly before retiring from The Colours.

"We have a vibrant Royal British Legion branch being magnificently led by my good friend Mark Brennan. He, along with assistance from some very talented residents, does such fantastic work in organising commemoration events, garden building, and mural painting. The annual Poppy Appeal fundraising is supported so well by the many willing volunteers who so readily give up their time for this valuable cause."

Mr Brennan added: "The Hadleigh Branch of the Royal British Legion, which marks its centenary later this year, has a long and proud history of looking after the interests of the armed forces community here in Hadleigh.

"We welcomed the introduction of the Armed Forces Covenant back in 2011 and have supported it ever since. Each year on Armed Forces Day we organise a fete specifically to support the covenant and to give a huge thank you to our local armed forces community.

"We continue to promote the covenant and encourage local authorities, businesses and organisations, including the town council to get involved. For more information on signing the covenant please visit the - Armed Forces Covenant website here... or give us a call at the Legion."