SIR,—It would appear from Mr. Holmes's letter that, though he
has heard of the 'Over Forty-Fives' Asso- ciation, he is not familiar with its organisation, in that, unlike the 'Ex-Officers Association,' its mem- bership is open to men in all walks of life.
Inevitably, a large proportion of members (mem- bership is over 2,500, with a large number of new members joining every week) are ex-officers of the two wars. Incidentally, among its members are two air vice-marshals, more than one general and a num- ber of senior naval officers.
It is difficult to say how many ex-officer members have been placed in jobs, seeing that, on an average, more than one member is found a job per day, but those who have been found posts are drawing salaries from £450 to £1,000 a year, and further ad- vancement must necessarily rest with the individual. To quote an actual case which occurred in the last two weeks, a regular officer aged 53, a colonel with a knighthood, was chosen from five others for a £500-a-year job, because he had book-keeping ex- perience. Apart from the ex-officer element, there are chartered accountants, engineers of all kinds, men experienced in shipping, insurance, building, banking, etc. No fewer than ten retired bank officials have joined the Association in the last five months. A bank background is not without its advantages.
Finally, the member of the Council to whom Mr. Holmes refers, a retired colonel of 75, took his book- keeping course at the age of 67.—Yours faithfully, The 'Over Forty-Fives' Association, 217a Kensington High Street, W8
G. ST. JOHN
Secretary
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