THE dedication of the new standard served as a timely reminder of the least mentioned of Britain's small wars.

Most people would be challenged if they had to find Aden or the Yemen on a map. Comparisons with present-day Afghanistan are easily made with this amazing land of mountains and deserts at the western corner of the Arabian Peninsula, home of the legendary Queen of Sheba.

Britain ruled the Aden settlement from 1839 to 1937 when it became a Crown Colony. Arrangements were also made to protect the 25 surrounding mini-states ruled by tribal sheiks or sultans. To the north the Yemen was an ancient kingdom unchanged in a thousand years.

After the loss of the Suez Canal in 1956 Aden became increasingly important as an international port when oil refining was developed by British Petroleum. The military base grew as the strategic importance of the area increased. The expansion of Pan-Arabism was promoted by the Egyptian dictator Nasser, he wanted to rid the Middle East of colonialism. Any action against the West was also supported covertly by the Soviet Union in those days of the Cold War.

The scene was set for trouble to erupt and it did. The overthrow of the King of Yemen in 1962 was made possible by the intervention of 20,000 Egyptian soldiers and threatened the British in the south. Nasser's propaganda stirred up the tribes in the Protectorates and workers in Aden port.

The British were trying to mould a future stable government for the proposed Federation of South Arabia which was almost impossible given the industrialisation of the colony and the near feudal conditions in the states surrounding it.

Fighting with the tribesmen along the Yemen border and in the Radfan mountains ensued, coupled with unrest in the Aden population. A 'state of emergency' was declared in 1963. This claimed the lives of 57 British military personnel with 651 wounded. Eighteen British civilians working in the colony were also killed and 83 maimed by terrorists.

The British finally handed over power in November 1967 and in the High Commissioner's words "left without disaster and without glory".

The Aden Veterans Association was formed in 2000. Unusually it embraces all the armed services and includes civilians who were employed in the region. It has a membership approaching 2,000 and ten social branches in the UK. An annual national reunion weekend is held every September, usually in Blackpool. Each year it joins comrades from other associations at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London. It takes part in the march-past at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Remembrance Sundays. Its aim is to maintain the memory of all those who gave their lives for the cause of peace in Aden and the Protectorates and to maintain a living spirit of comradeship among its members.

A group was formed in Exeter in 2003 with Joe Partington, Barrie Sillitoe and Graham Browning instrumental in its establishment. It became a branch in its own right in 2008. Fundraising and donations all helped to purchase the branch standard.

Chairman John Rockey said at the time: "A standard is important, it symbolises our commitment never to forget comrades who were killed or wounded in the conflict.

"We are now able to stand alongside other service organisations and be noticed at local events and commemorations."

Other campaigns have been given far more media exposure. Aden has been swept under the carpet by the political expediency of successive governments, who would not even grant a medal for certain years of conflict.

Exeter Aden veterans are determined to be recognised. Given their determination, they will not be forgotten.

On Saturday, November 27, the branch will hold a lunch at the Deer Park Country Hotel, Honiton to celebrate the association's tenth anniversary.

Anyone who served in Aden and wants to be part of this growing, convivial branch should contact secretary Jim McCabe on 01548 856388.