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One Hull memorial
In the UK military personnel often find it hard to settle down when they are back in civilian life. Perhaps this is true in most countries around the world.

In my home town of Kingston-Upon-Hull the Council has announced that it will try to change this.

Of course there will always be a settling in period and you cannot expect men and women to go from a life of conflict, discipline and heavy routine easily. However with the help of Council plans perhaps the transition will be made a little easier.

Hull City Council has signed up to The Armed Forces and Veterans Charter which is aimed at positively helping personnel from the Forces integrate back into society and the community. It will include personnel from the Merchany Navy also. It becomes the first UK council to include the Merchant Navy in its charter.

Hull historically has strong Naval links. In both the first and second World Wards hundreds of Hull trawlers and their crews were requisitioned by the Admiralty and used as minesweepers and patrol craft. Many merchant seamen were killed in action and Hull wants to recognise the huge price such personnel have played, along with that of the regular armed forces. This writer's paternal Grandfather was a Merchant Seaman who was killed at sea

The deal includes free use of the council's leisure centres and priority access to housing and employment services.

A military spokeperson siad in a statement, "It's valuable that society understands the sacrifice of the military and what we do for the populous. But also it's important that the military contributes back into those communities. So it's not just a one-way document. It's a way of recognising what the armed forces, and (those who have) recently left armed forces do in society."