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(KILMINGTON BRANCH)
The British Legion was founded by Earl Haig in 1921 after the people in Britain and within the Empire learned of the horror that was World War I. The poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae, a Canadian doctor serving in Ypres, stimulated its formation and the adoption of the poppy as a symbol of hope
and reassurance. Under the guidance of Major George Howson MC, a small group of
disabled ex-
The Kilmington Branch (see more detailed history here) was formed on 6 March 1925 to join many others which were being founded throughout the country under the Charter which was promulgated on 21 April 1925 by authority of His Majesty King George V. The Charter was amended on 10 September 1971, by authority of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, granting the title “The Royal British Legion”.
The Poppy Appeal, as we know it, spread from small beginnings into the powerful and successful movement that it is today. Volunteers from this Village each year collect for the Appeal and last year, for example, over £1,700 was raised. With nearly 90 British Legion members in this small village under Chairman Group Captain Brian Lavender OBE AFC RAF (Ret’d), other fund raising events were held throughout the year which brought the total up to £3,530.
Spring and Autumn Coffee Mornings are held to raise funds for the Poppy Appeal, and
the “Admiral’s Jug”, presented by a past President Admiral Roberts, is available
at other events eg the Annual Lecture, for donations. Non-
The names of the Kilmington residents killed in the World Wars are:
THE GREAT WAR
ELI WOODMAN
ROBERT WOOD
JOHN WOODMAN
RICHARD POUND
LISLE LOVERIDGE
ROLAND BRIDGES
WILLIAM SANSOM
COURTENAY CHOWN
EDWARD BOTWOOD
GILBERT WRIGHT
FREDERICK WOODMAN
SECOND WORLD WAR
ARTHUR TROTT
NORMAN LOCKWOOD
RICHARD WILKINSON
Although our membership in the Kilmington Branch has increased to 113, we need to recruit more to provide the support that our Armed Forces personnel, their dependants and veterans need.
The £11.00 annual subscription fee pays all the administrative and production costs
of the Poppy Appeal including the employment of numerous disabled Service personnel.
Please sign up for membership now. You do not need to be ex-
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn,
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them”
HISTORY OF ROYAL BRITISH LEGION, KILMINGTON BRANCH
This history was written by Michael O’Flaherty.
To safeguard the welfare, interests and memory of those who are serving or who have served in the Armed Forces
OBJECTIVES
1 To define, fund, and deliver a quality and flexible response to welfare needs.
2 To foster and engage a strong base of members, donors, volunteers and staff
3 To maximise income generation from a comprehensive integrated programme.
4 To ensure our culture, structure and processes enable strong leadership, timely decision making and effective use of assets.
5 To facilitate closer co-
6 To create, maintain and expand public awareness and support for the Legion’s work and the Nation’s special covenant with its service people, past and present.
The Royal British Legion sadly lost five staunch supporters in Kilmington over the past few weeks. Frank Pape, aged 101, whose loss was reported earlier. Lily Woodage, aged 92, whose life was celebrated at a Service in St Giles’ Church on 23 November; mother of Paul and of Sandra Ward, their late father Syd served in the Royal Artillery during the 2nd World War and later the Army Air Corps, and he and Lily remained generous in their support for the Legion. George Grout, aged 90, served in the Royal Air Force during the War as an air gunner/observer and his life was celebrated in St Giles’s Church on 8 December, the chief mourner being his wife Pat who has now moved to a Home. A Service of Thanksgiving for Ann Morley, aged 81, was held on 23 December; she, with her husband Michael, were Poppy Appeal collectors for a number of years and great supporters of the Branch. Molly Campbell came back to stay in her house in Shute Road over Christmas with her daughter and family but died in early January; her late husband John was a Major in the Army Air Corps and they were members of the Branch. We need younger people to replace them! Residents of Wootton Bassett show their support for our armed forces personnel killed and injured in Afghanistan by honouring them and collecting funds for the Poppy Appeal in the streets. By subscribing to the Royal British Legion at only £11 per annum you can show your support for them through an organisation which is providing very substantial funds every day to individual cases. Remember, for every coffin that you see arrive at RAF Brize Norton, on average there are five seriously injured casualties with families that will need help from The Royal British Legion. Please contact the Branch Chairman, Brian Lavender on 01297 34922 or Secretary, Michael O’Flaherty on 01297 35873 if you would like to show your concern in a practical way.
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