Now seriously ill, ex-RAF technician Reg Griffiths, 75, from Milton Keynes, wanted to know whether his wife Dorothy would receive any income from his service pension if he died.

"She is my second wife and I've been told they don't qualify, even though we have been married 20 years. If it's true no one has ever let us know, " he said.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) looked at Reg's case and confirmed none of his pension can be passed on, but not because of any second-wife ruling. "Postretirement widows' pensions were introduced into the Armed Forces Pension Scheme in 1978 but only for members serving at the time, " explains an MoD spokeswoman.

As Reg left the Forces in 1975, this does not apply and as he was not affected he was not informed.

"It is very disappointing, " says Reg. "I wish I had looked into this earlier and made other plans but at least now I know where I stand."

For service pensions and other matters, the British Legion can also help: 08457 725 725.