You don’t have to be ex-Service to join the….
Barely a day goes by that doesn’t coincide with the anniversary of a conflict that cost the lives of British and Commonwealth Servicemen and women. The momentous struggles of
1914-1918 and those of 1939-1945 helped shape Britain, and define who and what we are today. The fact that the countries of Western Europe now coexist in peace and relative harmony with little prospect of future armed conflict within our borders is testament to the huge sacrifices made by past generations. British forces continue to serve in harm’s way to protect our freedom and prosperity worldwide. The Royal British Legion (RBL) aims to ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten, and that members of the British armed forces, veterans and their families receive the support and care they need.
The Droxford & District Branch predates the formation of the British Legion as ‘The Droxford Branch of the Comrades of the Great War’. 2021 marked the centenary of the foundation of the British Legion on 15th May 1921 with Field Marshal The Earl Haig as its first President. The British Legion was awarded its Royal Charter in 1925, becoming the Royal British Legion.
We aim to meet four times a year, usually at Droxford Village Hall, with a speaker on a range of interesting subjects. There’s also an annual general meeting, an annual dinner, a summer drinks party, a Grand National draw and a pub-style quiz or Bingo night. Apart from selling poppies in support of the annual appeal, we are not otherwise actively engaged in RBL fundraising activity. We observe the annual Remembrance Sunday service at one of the local parish churches. As you would expect, being so close to Portsmouth and other military centres, many of our members are ex-Service but an increasing number are civilian. All are equally welcome.
As a member of the RBL (Droxford and District Branch) you would not only be able to ‘do your bit’ to support the British armed forces but also help keep remembrance alive. This is not glorification of war - far from it; anyone who has witnessed the ravages of armed conflict will be quick to dispel this myth. It is however through remembrance that we can truly appreciate 79 years of peace that has existed in Western Europe and ensure that 1½ million British and Commonwealth subjects who gave their lives in two world wars and other conflicts are never forgotten.
For more information or to join RBL (Droxford & District) Branch, please contact the Secretary – Cdr Rob Scott RN at robmunroscott@aol.com or 01489 877800.
