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THE  ROYAL  BRITISH  LEGION

(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-Servicemen started to make artificial poppies which were first sold in 1921 to help those who survived the fighting, some terribly mutilated in mind and body.

 

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-fund raising events include an annual outing (this year to the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard on 30 June 2008) and an annual BBQ.  With no club house, monthly “Get Togethers” are held alternatively in the Old or New Inn for an hour on the first Friday in the month.  The Committee has decided to introduce a Remembrance Sunday Lunch after the Remembrance Service held alternatively in the Baptist Chapel or the  Parish Church of St Giles, and the Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial.  The Branch is actively seeking new members, and applicants can contact the Chairman on 01297 34922 or the Secretary on 01297 35873.  

 

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

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WE NEED YOUR HELP

 

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-Service yourself

 

“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”

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HISTORY OF ROYAL BRITISH LEGION, KILMINGTON BRANCH

 

This history was written by Michael O’Flaherty.  

 

 

 

MISSION STATEMENT

 

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-operation between organisations sharing the same objectives.

 

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.

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Previous Kilmington RBL Newsletters