Progressive Labour Party MP Dale Butler paid back a promise to Bermuda's war vets yesterday when he presented an educational pack documenting the Island's contribution in the two World Wars.

He had made the undertaking after claims that the PLP's November 9 election victory had distracted people from Remembrance Day ceremonies last year.

Mr. Butler explained: "They felt the Government had overshadowed the war vets parade but I have been wanting to do this archive for the last 20 years.

"I wanted to heighten awareness of the war to school kids.'' Eight books as well as two videos and newspaper clippings have been donated to the central educational resource library at the former Bishop Spencer School, on Glebe Road, Pembroke.

They were presented to Education Permanent Secretary Marion Robinson. Also present was 78-year-old veteran of the Bermuda Militia Infantry Alvin Dixon.

He told The Royal Gazette : "I joined up in May 1942 and within ten weeks I had become a sergeant.

"Hitler said he was going to get Bermuda so we had to guard the Island 24-hours a day.'' However, the nearest the Germans came was when a lifeboat was washed up near the site of the Cable and Wireless station in Tucker's Town which was a vital link to the world.

Mr. Dixon said: "It caused quite a stir.'' But there were risks in army life on the Island.

Mr. Dixon explained: "We had a training exercise near Warwick Camp with Canadian troops in 1943.

"But it went wrong and we nearly got hit by live shells. We had to hide down Pen Bank and two of us got injured by shrapnel. It was almost as dangerous as fighting overseas.'' Some of Bermuda's recruits did join the war effort overseas. One is 83-year-old Tommy Aitchison.

He explained: "Territory regiments were affiliated to British regiments. We were affiliated to the Lincolnshire regiment.

"I joined them in 1940 then transferred to the Black Watch two years later and went to Africa and Italy with them.'' Other Bermudian soldiers joined the Caribbean Regiment which also went to North Africa and Italy where they were given duties guarding prisoners of war and clearing minefields.

Sadly the volunteers were not always properly appreciated despite their willingness to put their lives on the line miles from home.

Mr. Dixon said: "At that time they wouldn't promote anyone beyond the rank of Sergeant if they were black.

"There were a lot of good people who should have become officers that weren't given the chance.''