The Royal British Legion is recognised as the national custodian of Remembrance.

Remembrance Sunday, the second Sunday in November, is the day traditionally put aside to remember all those who have given their lives for the peace and freedom we enjoy today.

Our most recent service was held in the Orihuela Costa on Sunday 8th November 2025 at the Capilla de las Mil Palmeras chapel.

Welfare work carried out by The Royal British Legion is a lifeline for thousands of serving and ex-servicemen and women and their family. the single fundraising at its charitable events for which is the poppy appeal campaign now well underway. Here on the Orihuela Costa, that appeal is an ongoing operation with the 2025/2026 campaign now well and truly underway.

Fundraising is carried out at a multitude of local events, which can vary from collections in bars and restaurants, and benefit concerts to the sale/donation of Royal British Legion memorabilia.

Then, from the 3rd week in October we see the launch of the main poppy campaign of the year with the launch of the Poppy Appeal, taking us through to remeberance Sunday on the 8th of November. During which members of the public and Military alike wear a poppy to remember the passing of friend and family as well as the huge sacrifices made by our Armed Forces throughout the decades.

There are many ways by which you can support the Royal British Legion. Find out more by book marking and regularly visiting these pages.

• Symbolism of Flanders Fields:
•  During WWI, red poppies were the first to grow in the shattered, bombed landscape of Western Europe, particularly around battlefields like Flanders, symbolizing life growing amid destruction.
• "In Flanders Fields" Poem:
•  Inspired by the 1915 poem by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, which referenced the poppies growing between soldiers' graves.
• Commemoration:
•  It is worn in the weeks leading up to Remembrance Day (11th November) or Anzac Day to honor fallen soldiers and support their families.Charity Funding:
•  The poppy serves as a fundraiser for veterans' organizations, such as The Royal British Legion, supporting injured soldiers and their families.

La Capilla de Las Mil Palmeras

We are proud & honoured to have Spain District North Bugler as a member of the Orihuela Costa & District Branch

(Mark is our District Bugler he is available for Funerals, Events or Social Activities)

ANZAC Day in Beersheba Isreal 

Remembrance November 2025 Gran Alacant & La Marina

Remembrance November 2025 Gran Alacant & La Marina

Remembrance November 2025 Gran Alacant & La Marina

Friday 22nd of May 2026 OP TELIC 15th Memorial anniversary is to take place at the Capilla de San Justo in Mil Palmeras in front of the Garden of remembrance

OP TELIC Remembrance 22nd May

1030 - 1100 22nd May 2026

The remembrance service is to commemorate the Fallen, the wounded and all members of HM forces who served on Op Telic, the 15th anniversary comes round as if the memories were only yesterday. let us all pay homage this morning and take time out to remember.

The Branch Standard, the RNATB Standard, RAFA Standard, Spanish and Union flags will be brought forward to the garden of remembrance.

We meet in the presence of God.

We commit ourselves to work in penitence and faith for reconciliation between the nations, that all people may, together, live in freedom, justice and peace. We pray for all who in bereavement, disability and pain continue to suffer the consequences of fighting and terror. We remember with thanksgiving and sorrow those whose lives, in world wars and conflicts past and present, have been given and taken away.

Let us remember before God and commend to there safe keeping those who have died for their country in war those whom we knew, and whose memory we treasure and all who have lived and died in the service of the peoples of the world.

Memories from Veterans

Poem - Flanders field 

In Flanders Field

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, that mark our place; and in the sky the larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago, we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders Field

Act of REMEMBRANCE 

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.

(ALL) We will remember them. 

The Last Post is sounded, the Bugle call signals the beginning of the two-minute silence.

The Rouse/Reville Bugle Call signals the completion of the silence

Lament by Pipe Major Brian Day 

Representatives and other members of the branch come forward to lay wreaths.

The Kohima Epitaph 

“When you go home

tell them of us and say,

for your tomorrow

we gave our today”.

The Royal British Legion Prayer:

We thank thee, O Lord, for the work of the Royal British Legion and for the witness of all those, who inspired by thy love, have given themselves to the care and support of those of our brothers and sisters and their descendents, who are in need and by their ministrations, foster the spiritof true comradeship and brotherly love within the Legion family. Thy Holy Spirit guide and direct their councils and may thy blessing be upon their labours and upon those to whom they minister; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

The lords Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. 

Amen

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The Orihuela Costa Branch of the Royal British Legion, BR3600, was first approved by the Board of Trustees from it’s headquarters in Pall Mall, London, on 18 January 2008. The Branch boundaries were set in place from Los Balcones, at the southern edge of Torrevieja, as it’s northern perimeter. The western boundary was formed by San Miguel de Salinas while the branch extended down to San Javier in the south.

The branch was formed when a number of members moved across from the existing Torrevieja Branch of the RBL and were supplemented by recruits from the newly approved remaining areas. Almost sixty members and potential members attended that inaugural meeting in the "The Captains Table" Restaurant, Punta Marina, Just off the N332 roundabout.

Since the beginning of January the branch has been taken out District administration, with a new committee formed the branch has gone from strength to strength, raising over  € 16.776.50 for the Poppy Appeal and, under the current Chairmanship of Mark Benton our numbers have swollen to 73 Members including 1Youth member  

However one of the most importantly the celebrations and the short history of the Orihuela Costa Branch took place in January when the branch was Awarded the "Fallen hero" and the "Recruiment kukri" 

Branch Awards presented at the District's Annual General Meeting (AGM) in January

"The Fallen Hero Award"

The Royal British Legion (RBL) Spain District North Fallen Hero Award is a prestigious honor presented to branches demonstrating outstanding efforts in the Poppy Appeal, often awarded for the highest percentage increase in collections or significant fundraising totals. It is a limited edition piece of artwork. 

Key details regarding the award include:

• Purpose: The award recognizes branches that excel in raising funds for the Poppy Appeal, which supports beneficiaries and veterans in Spain.

• Award Structure: It is a, signed, limited-edition art piece by Sue Evans, depicting a brass artillery shell turned into a soldier’s forage cap on a bed of poppies.

• Context: The award is presented during the District's Annual General Meeting.

The Branch has been part of the larger Spain District North which was recognised for its progress at the Maurice Cup. At the AGM we had the honour & privilege of being presented the Fallen Heroes for most money Raised.

The Recruitment Kukri



As a branch we was also presented with the Recruitment Kukri for most new members joining the branch within the year. The Recruitment Kukri is presented to the Branch that has achieved the most Membership percentage increase across District North Spain within the twelve months preceding the conference. Presented February 2025/6. This is all to the credit of new members joining the Orihuela Costa & District branch, our numbers continue to raise and this award reflects the dedication and commitment of all members of the branch.

Considering that we were under District administration for a period of almost 3 years. a massive well done in recognition for the branches commitment and belief.

The Lewis Shield

What a glorious day for Spain District North, our largest haul of awards ever. Showing that all the hard work is paying off and is recognising the efforts of our members, Branches and branch committees working together.

The district was awarded the Maurice Challenge Shield a huge recognition of the work done by District & Branch Committee Members as we move forward.

Our own, Katie Jane Matthews of Orihuela Costa & District Branch received a well deserved recognition award for her work towards the Poppy Appeal & was awarded second place in the Lewis Shield.

As District Chair, I think we can all take a pat on the back before we all get down to what we are here for looking after our Beneficiaries.

the Chairman explained that the Garden of Remembrance was dedicated to the memory of all those who gave their lives in the cause of International  Freedom. He said that it was dedicated to soldiers and civilians of all nations and would be of great significance to all who used it in the future.  It would also be the focal point of Remembrance Day celebrations in Orihuela Costa in years to come.

The garden was built with the support and donations of the Costa Blanca Leader Newspaper, the Old Tower Lodge, the Queen Victoria Pub, the Hop Bar, Bar med, La Zenia Tool Hire, Call Net, Booker Garden services, Listers Bar, Spud Murphy’s, Marinasol Restaurant, Penny’s Supermarket, Butterfly’s Restaurant, Coffee del Mar, Imperial Pools, Vialis Restaurant, Bills Lounge Bar, Rocky’s, The Judges Chambers, Milans Restaurant, Sun Mar, Park and Fly, J&H Security, Tanatorio Virgen del Pilar.