TAKEN FROM DAILY EXPRESS EVENING EDITION DATED FRIDAY 18 JULY 1921.
The final meeting of the Bodmin Branch of The Comrades of the Great War, was held on Wednesday evening of last week (09th. July 1921), was probably the most successful in the history of the Branch and certainly augered well for the new organisation - The British Legion. The Commandant (Admiral Sir Arthur May CB) presided over a representative and enthusiastic gathering.
FINANCE.
The Hon. Secretary (Mr.T. Stevens) presented the Statement of Accounts showing a final credit balance of £18. 13s. 9d. - The statement was adopted.
The Hon. Treasurer (Mr W Lobb), mentioned that in addition to the balance shown the Branch possessed crockery to the value of about £6.00. and chairs worth approximately £10.00.- This was considered highly satisfactory.
THE BRITISH LEGION.
A circular was read by the Secretary setting out the procedure to be adopted for the formation of a local Branch of the new organisation, The British Legion, which it is intended to represent the interest of all ex-service men at home and in the Dominions. No bye-laws were to be drawn up by the Branches but would be submitted to them from Head-Quarters. The membership subscriptions had been fixed at 2s.-6d. Per annum,of which ls.-6d. Had to be forwarded to HQ to defray the cost of administration.- Mr W. Lobb said before they amalgamated they wanted a few more working members. The work was not shared by so many as he would desire. He thought they should also express their thanks to Admiral Sir A. May for the valuable services he had rendered to the Branch and their appreciation of the work done by their late Secretary (Mr.E.D.Nash) and their present Secretary (Mr. Stevens).-(Applause).
Admiral Sir Arthur May said he took, that they were bound to form a Branch of The British Legion. The advantages of the new organisation, were so manifest that he thought they should have no hesitation in passing the necessary resolution for the formation of a local Branch. The Legion was similar in many respects to the Comrades and that result was attained through the large attendance of Comrades delegates at the recent conference in London. The Comrades at that gathering could have outvoted all representatives of other organisations by three to one. It was he thought, fair to explain that out of the ls.-6d. Per annum per member which had to be forwarded to HQ. 6d. Was returned for expenses of the Area Councils. A meeting would shortly be held at Truro when an Area Council would be formed and have the authority to split up the District into Sub -Areas. A resolution pledging support of The British Legion and formally establishing a Bodmin Branch was put to the meeting.-Mr Hambly asked if the Is. which was to be retained by HQ was to pay officials or to help necessitous cases of ex - servicemen.- The Chairman understood that it was to be employed in running the organisation. - Mr A. Jane asked if everyone who voted pledged himself to become a member.-The Chairman: Yes I think so. - Mr. Lobb pointed out that only those who were present members of The Comrades could vote on the resolution but that any ex-service man could join the new organisation when it had been formed. - The Secretary mentioned that the real members subscription to The Comrades was 2s.of which Is. Was sent to HQ and a like amount supposed to be retained for Branch expenses. Bodmin had however, only charged 1 s. Per annum, the remainder having been raised by voluntary efforts. - The resolution was carried unanimously.
ELECTION OF OFFICIALS
The Chairman explained that as a Branch of The Legion they could have any number of Vice Presidents, who need not necessarily be ex - service men. The only qualification was that they
should subscribe 10s.-6d. Per annum but they would not be entitled to vote. It was unanimously agreed to invite Lord Vivian to become the President, it being pointed out that Sir Arthur May had already consented to be president of the St.Tudy post and would be unable to accept the Presidency of the Bodmin Branch. Major Eary was unanimously appointed Chairman of the Branch. For Vice -Chairman Capt. Warne and Mr.W Lobb were proposed but on a show of hands the latter was elected and he was also appointed Treasurer. There were also two candidates for the Secretaryship, Capt. Warne and the retiring Secretary (Mr. Stevens). On a vote being taken Capt. Warne was declared elected.
Sir Arthur May said he would like from the chair to express their gratitude to Mr. Stevens for the splendid service he had rendered the Branch with which he had been actively associated since it's inception. The following gentlemen are to be invited to become Vice Presidents: Viscount Clifden; Admiral Sir A.May, The Mayor of Bodmin (Mr.H.Liddell.JP.),Colonel Norris, Mr.G.C.Carpenter,Major.D.A.Fox,. Major Eary also thanked the Branch for the honour done hin. He had hoped to escape office. As they knew he was supposed to be retired, but he found he had quite a number of things to do and for them received no pay.-(Laughter).
On Mr. Brewers. Suggestion. "They are jolly good Comrades" was lustily sung. Sir Arthur responding remarked he had observed that Colonel Drury when speaking at Truro had said "there was a tendency on the part of those who had served in the rank and file to separate from those who held commissioned rank. He wished to publicly challenge that. As far as his (the speaker's) experience had gone he found they did not care what rank they held, they were just comrades, joined with him in a common cause in the evening of his life. They had no officers and no men, in Bodmin - only Comrades. - (Applause).
