The Women's Section of The Royal British Legion has a uk-wide membership of 62,000 women across 1,200 branches.

Membership of the Women's section is open to women of all ages including:

women serving in HM Forces
All ex-Servicewomen
women who are dependants of past and present Service personnel
women who do not have a Service connection but support the aims of the organisation

The Women’s section of the Oxted Branch meet on the last Monday of each month at the Social Centre, Bluehouse Lane starting at 7.30 pm. All Welcome.

On the third Wednesday of every month – The Women’s Section will have a Membership

Gathering.

2025 Remembrance Day. 

History:

The Unity Conference of 1920 had decided that women would not be able to become ordinary members of the British Legion, the decision was reversed the following year, and the Women’s Auxiliary Section was formed to bring together the women who had been a part of the previous ex-service organisations. 

In 1921, the Women’s Section committee was elected, and branches emerged throughout the country.  In 1922 the British Legion decided to allow women who had served in the auxiliary services to join as ordinary members.  Subsequently, the word “auxiliary” was removed from the name to become The Women’s Section.  It provided a way for women to be a part of the British Legion and widen its activities.  It quickly became the driving force behind the success of the Poppy Appeal. 

The Oxted Women's Section was formed officially on 26th May 1943 but has an interesting story dating back to 1924. 

In their formative years, activities focused on practical ways of support, such as the 1931 Wardrobe Scheme.  Branches that enrolled in the scheme committed to collecting second-hand clothing for those in need whilst also providing new clothing which had to be proportionate to at least 25% of their membership.  In the first year, 7,500 new items of clothing were produced which outnumbered the 5,000 items of worn clothing.  The scheme continued to thrive throughout the Second World War. 

As much of the focus of the British Legion was towards the men who had fought in the First and Second World Wars, the Women’s Section naturally took more consideration for the women who had also been affected. 

In 1953, the Women’s Section was permitted to parade its standard at the Festival of Remembrance.  In 1959, 38 years after its inception, the Women’s Section finally moved its operations into the British Legion headquarters, a sign of a closer union. 

Today the Women’s Section has been fully integrated into the regular structure of the Royal British Legion.  It continues to raise funds for its benevolent work including the Children’s Welfare Fund which provide essential financial support for dependents of service people.  The Women’s Section continues to provide essential support to all members of the armed forces community and provide a space for women to work together to support the RBL, as it has done for 100 years. 

Contact:

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