Kilmington's Royal British Legion branch has over 120 members with  Commander Stafford Seward OBE RN (Ret'd) as Branch Chairman. 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 for donations e.g. the Annual Lecture.

Non-fund raising events include an annual outing 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 anniversary of Armistice Day is always marked by the firing of maroons from the playing field which is usually supported by 40-50 residents who are invited to coffee afterwards.  An ecumenical Remembrance Sunday Service is held alternatively at St Giles and The Beacon followed by the Act of Remembrance and laying of wreaths at the War Memorial. A lunch for members and guests is arranged at a nearby hostelry.  Please read the newsletters for further details.
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 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

The Poppy Appeal spread from small beginnings into the powerful and successful movement that it is today whereby £42.6M was raised in the 2015 National Appeal.  In addition to the Poppy Appeal door to door collection in the village the Kilmington Branch has other fund raising events throughout the year.  Spring and Autumn Coffee Mornings, the Annual Lecture and BBQ and the “Admiral’s Jug”, presented by a past President Admiral Roberts, is available at these events for donations.  From these events and the door to door collection the Kilmington Branch contributed a wonderful £4,430 towards that total.

Non-fund raising events include an annual outing and monthly “Get-Togethers” are held alternatively in the Old or New Inn for an hour on the first Friday in the month. The anniversary of Armistice Day is always marked by the firing of maroons from the playing field which is usually supported by 40-50 residents who are invited to coffee afterwards. An ecumenical Remembrance Sunday Service is always held alternately in the Parish Church of St Giles or The Beacon Baptist Church, followed by the Act of Remembrance and laying of wreaths at the War Memorial. A lunch for members and guests is arranged at a nearby hostelry.
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Please read the Newsletters for details of past and future events.
We Need Your Help

The branch is always actively seeking new members. While our numbers now total over 140, we still need more members to support our Armed Forces personnel, their dependents and veterans. The annual subscription fee (£17 October 2016) pays all the administrative and production costs of the Poppy Appeal including the employment of disabled Service personnel. Please sign up for membership now, you do not need to be ex-Service yourself.
Applicants can contact Stafford Seward (Branch Chairman) on 01297 33909 or John Watts Membership Secretary on 01297 639758.