RBL Cregagh, Wandsworth & Ormeau Branch, Montgomery Road, Belfast.

The branch, then known as RBL Cregagh branch, was first established on 26 May 1926 and utilised an old wooden hut on Montgomery Road in south-east Belfast, purchased from a local farmer. Later the typical RBL “Blue" hut was put up on the site.

A final dinner was in held on Saturday 14 July 2012 and the hut was demolished soon after. The present building was erected and opened soon after in 2013.. The money to build this was partially raised by contributions from the people of east Belfast. Unfortunately, around this time two other Belfast branches, Wandsworth and Ormeau had to merge with Cregagh because of a fall in membership.

The new building is named in honour of Colonel Jimmy Hughes, OBE. Colonel Hughes was born in Scotland but moved to Northern Ireland when he was 3 years old. During WW2 he served as a Captain in the 4th Ulster Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery in WW2, he landed on Juno beach a week after D day and his unit were the first to discoved the horrors of Belsen. In later life he was an educationalist and broadcaster with BBC Ulster.

He was a stalwart supporter of the Royal British Legion and the Poppy Appeal, serving as national chairman from 1972 to 1975, and was subsequently appointed CBE. Colonel Hughes lived his whole life in the Cregagh area of Belfast.

Colonel Jimmy Hughes CBE, OBE, MBE, TD, DL, (1917 to 2012).

Branch Centenery Celebrations.

26 May 2026 will be the centenery of the branch and it is our intention to celebrate this with not only our branch members but also with our local community.

Please keep an eye on this page as this will be where we will be posting any news on this.