Some 12500 men and women enrolled in the British Army during the Second World War and about 22500 were engaged after 1945, (i.e) post war period. Those persons who returned back after their service had to be reinstated in their pre-war job to earn a living.

On the 15 May 1942, His Excellency the then officer administering the Government appointed a Committee to render assistance to Ex-Servicemen returning to Mauritius. On 8 August 1944 His Excellency the then Governor approved that all men who had served in the Forces be treated as Ex-Servicemen and as such should be entitled to obtain assistance from Ex-Servicemen's Committee.

The object of the Committee was to provide temporary assistance to Ex-Servicemen after their demobilization pending their re-settlement into civil life.

The Earl Haig Fund, the lottery (Her Majesty's) Forces Fund (now the Mauritius Lottery) and the public have from time to time contributed funds for the expenses and management of the committee and the carrying of its object into effect.

On 23 March 1946 the then Governor gave his assent to an ordinance to constitute the Ex-Servicemen's Committee into a body corporate and to make provision for the management thereof. Subsequently the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund came into force.

The Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund continued to look after the Welfare of Ex-Servicemen till 31 July 2000, date on which it was replaced by the Mauritius Ex-Services Trust Fund.

It is to be noted that prior the repealing of the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund Act and its replacement by the Mauritius Ex-Services Trust Fund Act on 31 July 2000; there were three other Organisations which were catering for the Welfare of Ex-Servicemen. Those Organisations were Ex-Service Association of Mauritius, the Royal Pioneer Corps Association and the Union of War and Peace Ex-Servicemen.

Despite the existence of four Ex-Servicemen organisations and being financed by public fund, more than 50% of the actual number of Ex-Servicemen registered with the Trust Fund were not receiving any assistance (some 3500). That figure came to light when the decision of the government to pay a Millennium gift in December 2000 to all Ex-Servicemen was taken. More than 6900 Ex-Servicemen registered themselves for that gift which was twice the number of registered Ex-Servicemen at that time with the Associations. Furthermore it was found that out of the other 50% of Ex-Servicemen who were benefiting assistance, some were receiving assistance from one, two, three and some privileged were even benefiting from four organisations.

Such an unfair treatment resulted in several complaints being addressed at different sphere of the government. In 1998 the Government decided to put an end to such a situation and set up a committee (Ex-Servicemen Trust Fund) under the Finance and Audit Act to review all aspects pertaining to Ex-Servicemen and those of their Associations. That Committee was chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance with the Presidents of the four Ex-Servicemen Organisations and other officials from the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Social Security and the Ministry of Finance as members.

After several meetings held during the two years preceeding the creation of that committee the latter finally recommended the merging of the four organisations into one body namely the Mauritius Ex-Services Trust Fund Board with the following objectives:
       (a) to provide financial assistance to Ex-Servicemen.
       (b) to provide assistance to Ex-Servicemen's Associations.
       (c) to advance and promote the general welfare of Ex-Servicemen.

As the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund was equipped with all the necessary logistic (office premises, office equipment and administrative set up) the Mauritius Ex-Services Trust Fund was called upon to replace the former Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund. Since January 2002, the Mauritius Ex-Services Trust Fund came fully into operation and all registered Ex-Servicemen are being assisted at the Trust Fund level.

It is worth mentioning that since March 2004 the Mauritius Ex-Services Trust Fund has become the only local Representative of the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League and as such it has been entrusted with the responsibility of organising the Poppy Day Appeal in Mauritius and Rodrigues.