THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION BERKHAMSTED
The British Legion was formed in 1921, becoming The Royal British Legion in 1971. The Berkhamsted Branch was formed on 15th September 1922 by some prominent local people including retired Army Major Edward Pickard-Cambridge, Hubert Figg the chemist, William Morris the jeweller and Edwin Fossick, Lloyds Bank Manager. The Club formed to welcome back the soldiers and became ‘open to all’. In 2009 the Berkhamsted Branch merged with the Tring Branch.
Before moving into the current premises, the Branch Committee met in a building at the top of Castle Street, somewhere near the old Timber Yard where the Totem Pole was sited.
Many may have have heard the story about how the Club was left Farrier’s Hall, down the alleyway by WH Smiths, by the widow of the old farrier some time back before living memory. In fact, it was purchased by the membership at an auction for £550, with a 10% deposit, which the membership borrowed; £153.6s.10d from the United Services fund and part by a mortgage from Lloyds Bank for £350 dated 20/01/1928. This can be seen in the original Deeds which are displayed in the Club to the right of the bar. This was fully paid off in 1960. The Club was eventually registered as a Limited Company on December 14th 1927.
The story goes that after being refused a cup of coffee at the then Club the farrier’s widow took umbrage. She informed the “official” who had refused her the cup of coffee that she had originally intended to leave the Club not only Farrier’s Hall but also all the land and buildings behind it, stretching down to the River Bulbourne (the land now occupied by the Water Board). She went on to say that she had been so upset by the incident that she would reduce her legacy accordingly.
Membership, currently, is just £30 a year. This is for both the Royal British Legion membership and the Berkhamsted Club. Berkhamsted and Tring has both Branch and Club Committees who work to continually improve the overall offer for all its members. The Branch is a registered Charity whilst the Club is a separate Limited Business organisation.
The Royal British Legion is the UK's leading Armed Forces Charity. Members get together through the network of Branches and clubs all over the country and overseas to participate in social, fundraising and welfare activities.
Membership is open to everyone; it is an open national charity not a regimental Association. If you have an interest in the objectives of the Legion and want to help and support those who have served and their families, come and join us. We welcome men and women of all ages, whether they have served in the Armed Forces or not.
Legion membership ensures that Remembrance is kept alive and that the sacrifices our brave Service men and women have made are never forgotten. The ex-Service community are ensured that they have a voice and their concerns are brought to the public eye by the Legion. Becoming a member also provides the opportunity to get involved in a wide range of activities and events held locally, regionally and nationally throughout the year. Club membership gives entry to all Legion Clubs, not just in the UK but also those across the World.
The major annual activity for the Legion is the Poppy Appeal which funds all our welfare work for veterans in need. Congratulations to both towns and especially all the many volunteers including our local Military Cadets, who give their time so willingly to help year on year.
Would you like to support the collecting this year? Contact the Legion for details. A couple of hours of your time even makes a difference.
Each year there is a Remembrance Parade through the town to commemorate those who gave so much. This Parade is open to all, not just ex-Services or Legion members. One very pleasing aspect of the Parade is the involvement of so many of the town’s young people – Scouts, Cubs, Guides, Brownies, Army and Air Cadets and Berkhamsted School’s Combined Cadet Force. Currently the RBL decorate the centre of town with knitted Poppies each November.
As we have applied for and been granted Branch Community Support Status, the Branch are even more able to support ex-Service members in a variety of ways. For example, we make hospital and home visits to those unfortunately unwell and, where appropriate, will provide financial support to those who are eligible and need it. We offer Bereavement Support, including The Standard Bearer at funerals for ex-Service members where requested. This means we will be able to provide a range of services and information to members of the Armed Forces Community who may need our support.
Your Legion is an active part of the Community. This year 2022, marks the 100th Anniversary of the Berkhamsted Legion in September come and celebrate with us!
