Diss and District Royal British Legion
The Early Years
The Royal British Legion, originally called the British Legion was formed in the summer of 1921.
From information from the Diss Express
It was created to unite various groups of men who had served in the Great War such as the NADSS, the National Association of Discharged Sailors and Solders, which was formed in Blackburn in 1917.
The first Diss Branch of the British Legion was also formed in 1921.
The National Federation of Discharged Seamen and Demobilized Soldiers formed a branch in Diss soon after the Federation was created.
In 1921 it was decided to become a part of the newly formed British Legion, which was not Allied to any Political Organisation.
The final meeting of the Federation was held at the Coffee Tavern (*see separate item at the end about the Coffee Tavern) at 22 St Nichols Street Diss on the 21st August 1921, where the President Mr Spencer R Batelay thanked the various committee members and stated the branch had justified its existence.
Mr S W Moore Hon Secretary then read the Minuets of the last meeting and presented a Financial Statement.
He then went on to thank Mr Murray, Organising Secretary, who had secured the sum of no less than £1018/1/9 for members of the Federation.
Mr Murray also represented Diss at the War Pensions Committee of the Depwade Union (This was a Work house at Pulham Market, which still stands today, but is now a Private estate, next to the Cherry Tree Garden Centre)
He also went on to thank Mr H G Murray for all his work and was sorry that owing to Work commitments, Mr Murray would be unable to take up any Roles in the new Legion.
On a motion by Mr E Bryant, seconded by Mr Denny, the meeting unanimously agreed that the Federation, which consisted of the societies, the National Federation of Discharged Seamen and Demobilized Soldiers, The Comrades of the Great War, The National Union of Ex-Serviceman and The Officers Association should be dissolved and a Branch of the British Legion formed.
The election of Officers then took place, President Mr S R Bateley. Chairman Mr W Bale DCM, Vice-chairman Mr A W Leader, Treasurer Mr C Denny (*), Secretary Mr S W Moore.
The Committee were Mr A J Stannard who proposed Messrs EA Bryant, A Pallant, S E Goose, S Holden and W S Cooper, with the power to add to their number.
Following a vote of thanks to the Chairman the meeting was brought to a close.
The Diss British Legion Branch opened on the 22nd August 1921, but sadly it was short lived.
Have found a mention in the Diss Express of what seems the first the Poppy collection in the 17th November edition about the 1922 Poppy Collection and a George Dring was mention as the Organiser.
Seems a total of £49/4/3.5p was raised in town, where a Mrs W Cracknell and a Miss Nottidge played a Piano Accordion to encourage the Public!!
Also in December 22nd 1922 there was an item about a questionnaire on what way people should support the Legion.
In the 30th December 1922 edition of the Diss express there was a copy of a letter from Field Marshall the Lord Haigh thanking People for their assistance on Remembrance Day for both their Generosity and Sympathy.
From the Diss Express 26th September 1923.
Closing of the Diss British Legion Branch
Sadly it has been announced that the Diss Branch of the British Legion has been wound up.
Great Credit has to be given to Mr Murray, the Organising Secretary who has mainly kept the Branch going for a long time.
The Branch had been responsible for the War Memorial at St Marys since it was erected, including its maintenance.
There appears to be a great lack of interest in the movements on the part of those it was intended to serve.
The Contributions has not equalled the expense involved in running the Branch.
At the end of the final meeting it was decided the balance of the funds left should be passed to the Diss and District Ambulance fund.
(Thanks to Rosemary from Dickleburgh branch for information)
From a news item in the Diss Express dated 19th April 1929 about the first Annual British Legion Dinner, it states that in 1924 the Diss British Legion was formed by the Union of Solders and Seamen (now this is incorrect, the U of SS, was one of the group of Federations that formed the first branch in 1921) under their President Capt J Mann who became the First President of the Branch, with Mr W H Foster as Secretary, with support from the Rev R L Whytehead, Rector of Diss and the Rev H C Frere, Rector of Roydon.
`From Small Beginnings they have gone Forward with the Generosity of their President, Capt J Mann and now have 251 members including a very strong Woman Section`.
(Thanks to Mr Paul Womack , Diss and District Memories Facebook page, who sent me some information, I can expand on the opening of the Branch).
From the Diss Express and Norfolk and Suffolk Journal, date November 21st 1924.
There will be a meeting at St Marys Church Hall on Saturday November 29th with a view to re-establishing a British Legion Branch in Diss.
Mr A W Volier, Eastern Head Organising, will make a speech.
A report from the Express two weeks later, said that Mr Volier in his statement said that it was with deep regret that a Place like Diss should have fallen out with the British Legion.
Mr S R Sparling moved (and was seconded by Mr W Foster) that the meeting hear by accepts the Construction of the British Legion and formally establishes a branch of the British Legion, to be known as Diss & District.
The Rector of Diss consented to Act as Chairman of the Branch, Mr Foster as Secretory and Mr Bennett as Treasurer.
Messer C Ward, C Pallett, W Scott and (?) Smith (of Palgrave) were elected as Preliminary Committee.
In a copy of the Express, December 18th 1924, there was letter to the editor from the Rev R L Whytehead, asking to publicises the Branch and it was signed off as R L Whytehead, Hon Chaplin to the Forces, Chairman of the Diss and District British Legion, the Rectory, Diss.
The Diss and District Branch Royal British Legion in 2024 celebrates its Century.
Robert J Rogers
Branch Secretary,
Diss and District Royal British Legion.
*The Coffee Tavern is now the Happy Palace Chinese Restaurant.
The Coffee House Movement, was a country wide Movement and aimed to create a Cheap, Comfortable and Wholesome alternative to the Public House, the one in Diss opened in 1879 and was known as the Waveney Temperance Hotel.
In 1885 Thomas Hopgood took over the running of the Hotel.
In 1912 Charles Denny rented the Tavern from Hopgood.
In 1914 Charles joined the British Exploratory Forces at the start of the Great War as a Gunner in the Royal Artillery Garrison.
He suffered a Gas Attack at Ypres.
He survived the war and when he retuned he bought the Coffee Tavern.
Information from the Book `Traders from the Triangle` produced by the Diss Heritage Triangle Trust CIO 2018
