Below is a list of dates for your diary on what's happening in the Leytonstone Branch of The Royal British Legion.
Our Branch Meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 8.00pm
Our Next Meeting Will Be On: 21st September 2022 at 8.00pm.
Meetings are held at the
Leytonstone Ex-Serviceman's Club, Harvey Road, E11 3DB,
******************************************************************************************************
MAYOR’S CIVIC SERVICE
The Mayor of Waltham Forest – Councillor Elizabeth Baptiste has a civic service at Emmanuel Parish Church, Hitcham Road, London E17 on Sunday 10th October 2021 which was extremely well supported by various Mayors from different boroughs, Waltham Forest Councillers and clergy from various faiths.
Included in the invited guest from the Royal British Legion were four Standard Bearers represent the Borough together with Barry Oakes from Walthamstow RBL, Sheila Leforte from Leytonstone RBL and Keith Franklyn, Chairman for Leytonstone RBL.
The Mayor would like to thank the following people for making this a memorable occasion: Rev Canon Omoba Ade Ademola, Revd Eileen Rose, Father Neil Walsh, Mrs Olukemi Ademola, The Royal British Legion, The Youth Mayors & members of the Mayors Youth team.
( Photo’s curtsey of Lesley Bowers )
************************************************************************************************
************************************************************************************************
Battle of Britain Service
Leytonstone members will be joining Chingford Branch in remembering
'Battle of Britian Day' on Sunday 19th September 2021.
The Epping Forest Pipe Band will lead a Parade supported by the Royal British Legion Standard Bearers, including Chingford and Leytonstone Branch members.
This will start at 6pm on Sunday 19th September 2021 from Chingford Fire Station to St Peter and St Paul Church, North Chingford, which will be followed by a service in the church.
This event is organised by Cllr Roy Berg
Please come along and give it your support.
**********************************************************
**********************************************************
William Alfred Allen 'Bill'
On Wednesday 18th August 2021 at 11am we commemorated the life of William Alfred Allen ‘Bill’ who was 101 years old and a WW2 Veteran.
The service was held at St Johns Church Leytonstone and then on to the City of London Cemetery for the burial.
The funeral cortege was escorted by a guard of honour of 16 Royal British Legion Standard Bearers, The Royal Chelsea Pensioners, The Metropolitan Police, London Fire Service and London Ambulance Service, full road closure and a police escort to St. John’s Church and the City of London Cemetery.
The service was attended by many dignitaries including the Mayor of Waltham Forest,also Major Jeremy Fern TD DL. Representative Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Waltham Forest, amongst others.
Flags were flown at half-mast and the Town Hal was lit up in red white and blue.
Bill was one of the first to land on Juno Beach on D Day. He was holder of the Legion d’honneur and awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Waltham Forest for his services to St. John’s Church.
During his military service he was a Dispatch Rider and Bodyguard to Field Marshal Montgomery.
He was a member of the Royal British Legion for many years at Leytonstone and Leyton Branches.
Rest In Peace Sir, Your Duty Is Done.
****************************************************************
V.J. DAY - 15th AUGUST 2021
This year the Leytonstone Branch Commutate the official end of WW2 in Japan – VJ Day - with Chingford Royal British Legion.
Sunday 15th August 2021 was 76 years since the end of the war in Japan. Leytonstone joined with Chingford branch with a service and wreath laying at Chingford Mount Cemetery, at the Cross of sacrifice.
VICTORY IN EUROPE
WAS ON THE EIGHTH DAY OF MAY
NOW IT’S AUGUST FIFTEENTH
SO WHAT OF THIS DAY ?
Japan’s Now Surrendered,
And told to ‘Lay Down it’s Arms’
Go back to your factories,
Offices and Farms,
But in Singapore, Thailand
And Burma No less
Our ‘Forgotten Army’
Still had to clear up the mess.
We mustn’t forget
The war in the Far East
Or the lives which were lost
Before the battles were ceased.
Three quarters of a century
Have passed since those days
And life has moved on
In so many ways.
So August Fifteenth
Became a day of celebration
As Japan agreed
To the Potsdam Declaration
And on September Second
At last it was done
The World War was over
The battle’s been won.
V.J. Day
Is a day to be cherished
When we remember
All those who have perished.
Stand proudly my country,
Stand proudly with Britain
Dwell on this cry
So proudly written.
This Kingdom never gave up, and it must never forget !
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN
© BIDDULPH AND FUSIGNANO (ITALY) TOWN CRIER JOHN ROBINSON
*********************************************
8th NOVEMBER 2020 - REMEMBRANCE DAY
Leytonstone Branch of The Royal British Legion held a small service at Harrow Green Cenotaph to mark Remembrance Sunday
We would like to give special thanks to the Police and London Borough of Waltham Forest who allowed it to go ahead and for providing marshals, signage and hand sanitizer stations to comply with the government guidelines.
We would also like to offer our thanks to Bugler, Brian Hawkins who played The Last Post and Reveille.
Wreaths were laid by The Royal British Legion, attending clergy, Police, Sally Littlejohn on behalf of the mayor, Keith Rayner, Clyde Loakes and Arran Angus, Waltham Forest Councillors,
Keith Crowe from the Pearly Kings & Queens laid a wreath on their behalf and Sharon Crowe-O’Connor on behalf of the Leytonstone Ex-Serviceman’s Club.
Leytonstone Fire Brigade were in attendance and laid a wreath, and wreaths were also laid by various other organisations including the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, Rotary Club and Scouts Organisation,
Members of the public were invited to lay wreaths after the service.
**********************************************************************************************************
ARMED FORCES DAY AND THE
ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS
Sadly because of current restrictions there will be no parades or marches today to commemorate Armed Forces Day.
Cliff from the LEYTONSTONE BRANCH OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION decided to decorate his house to honour Armed Forces Day. Cliff also wanted to congratulate The Royal Corps of Signals who celebrate their centenary on the 28th June 2020.
Cliff joined Leytonstone branch last year and although he has only been a member for a very short time has been working tirelessly with us all in promoting the Branch and the RBL.
Although, now being a front line worker, we have 6 in the branch, he has even found the time to take part in our Virtual branch meetings.
The Royal Corps of Signals, originally known as Corps of Signals was founded on 28th June 1920 by a Royal Warrant signed by the then Secretary of State for War, Winston Churchill.
Six weeks later, King George V conferred the title of Royal Corps of Signals.
Cliff jointed the Royal Corps of Signals TA/Reserves in 1983 stepping down in 2019 after 36 years. Cliff left with the rank of WO2 with two appointments as Squadron Sergeant Major.
Leytonstone Branch would like to celebrate Armed Forces Day in remembering past and present members of the armed services and congratulate the Royal Corps of Signals on their 100th anniversary.
****************************************************************************************************
V.E. DAY 2020
75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe 8th May 2020
On 8th May 1945 The Prime Minister announced the end of the war with Germany. In a message broadcast from the Cabinet Room at Number 10 Winston Churchill told the nation the ceasefire had been signed on 7th May at the American advance headquarters in Rheims.
Many young people do not know the horrors of war. They do not know about rationing such as one egg and four rashers a week, some people can eat that in one sitting. Fourteen years of food rationing ended at midnight on 4th July 1954, when restrictions on the sale and purchase of most things including meat and bacon were lifted.
Hearing the frightening noise of the bombers leaving for Germany and the noise of the Germany bombers overhead, and the sound of bombs falling and then the sound of the explosion. Do we ever think of the telegram boy delivering the message "missing presumed dead".
Did we ever listen when granddad told us about how he was involved with the fighting in Europe? How his friend from school that he joined up with him was killed. Some men lost arms and legs others their lives.
Soldiers returned home to loved ones and some returned home with just one loved one to greet them and some none. Some men where shell shocked or as we call it now PTSD.
Finally after six years off fighting ended. The enemy vanished. Families could rejoice, they could dance and sing at the joy of being free again.
The Royal British Legion was started after the first World War in 1921. Men and women banded together to help one and other. Since then there have been many wars, not only the Second World War but Malaysia, Aden, the Gulf, Falklands, Bosnia and now Afghanistan. The Royal British Legion is there to help ex servicemen and their families then and now. So when you see us selling Poppies stop and buy one as that supports the men and women that saved us.
Although we are facing a challenging time please, where ever you are, join us on Friday 8 May at 11am to observe a 2 minutes silence as we pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the entire Second World War II generation, from British, Commonwealth and Allied Forces to evacuees and those who served on the home front.
*************************************************************************************************
*************************************************************************************************
Recently Andy and 9 other GLD Standards took part in the Birmingham MilitaryTattoo in his own words ‘it was amazing’
Our Standard Bearer, Andy Milner would like to say how honoured & privileged he is to carry the Leytonstone Branch Standard.
Below is a photo taken on the final night – our thanks go to all the organisers and participants of this event
***************************************************************************************************************
The Pearly Kings & Queens Harvest Festival
Our Leytonstone Standard Bearer, Andy Milner, attended the Pearlies Harvest Festival Service at St Martins in the Field, Trafalgar Square, London on Sunday 6th October.
The support and kindness received was amazing and overwhelming.
Thank you on behalf of the Leytonstone Royal British Legion for your kind invitation.
****************************************************************************************
The Leytonstone Royal British Legion held it's annual Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service on Sunday 8th November 2020.
Leytonstone Branch of The Royal British Legion held a small service at Harrow Green Cenotaph to mark Remembrance Sunday
We would like to give special thanks to the Police and London Borough of Waltham Forest who allowed it to go ahead and for providing marshals, signage and hand sanitizer stations to comply with the government guidelines.
We would also like to offer our thanks to Bugler, Brian Hawkins who played The Last Post and Reveille.
Leytonstone Branch warmly thanked everyone who attend the Service.
*******************************************************
