Since 2010, and probably some years before, many individuals in Paphos had expressed the idea of forming a Branch of The Royal British Legion.
As of the 17 Nov 2012 Mr D. Rees formed an unofficial Branch of the Royal British Legion in order to begin the process of forming an official Branch.
On the 07 Jan 2014 guided by the Membership Support Officer Overseas, Mr D. Rees was finally able to start the process of forming an official Branch.
On the 19 Jan 2014 a meeting of 5 members and 14 potential members was held and the following Resolution was accepted:
“That this meeting hereby accepts the objects of the Royal Charter, The Schedule of Rules and The Governing Regulations of The Royal British Legion and formerly establishes a Branch”.
The minutes of this meeting were sent to the Membership Support Officer Overseas along with the form MS9.
On the 05 Mar 2014 The Royal British Legion Membership Council agreed to allow the opening of the Paphos Branch in Cyprus.
On the 27 Mar 2014 Mr D. Rees was informed of the Royal British Legion Membership Council’s decision, to allow a Branch of the Royal British Legion to be formed and was allocated the Branch number BR3692.
The period 05 Mar 2014 to the 27 Mar 2014 coincided with the 50th Anniversary of United Nations Resolution 186 (1964) which saw the creation of UNFICYP (United Nations Peacekeeping Force In Cyprus) which on the 27 Mar 1964 became operationally established in Cyprus.
On the 24 April 2014 the Paphos Branch held its first official General Branch Meeting being the official Formation Meeting, during which a temporary committee was duly elected.
On the 09 Oct 2014 the Paphos Branch held its first Annual General Meeting and duly elected its first formal committee.
On the 27 Mar 2015 the Paphos Branch celebrated its First Anniversary. This coincided with the Anniversary of WW1 Neuve Chapelle, the biggest Artillery Barrage in history.
On the 31 Jul 2015 the Paphos Branch received The Royal British Legion Certificate of Incorporation by Royal Charter dated 05 Mar 2014.
On the 03 Aug 2015 the Paphos Branch Standard was dedicated.
On the 26 Mar 2016 the Paphos Branch celebrated its Second Anniversary. This coincided with the 40th Anniversary of the first ever email which was sent and it was actually sent by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
On the 27 Mar 2017 the Paphos Branch celebrated its Third Anniversary.
On the 07 Apr 2018 the Paphos Branch celebrated its Fourth Anniversary. The day was celebrated with Easter Bunny Racing.
On the 20 Apr 2019 the Paphos Branch celebrated its Fifth Anniversary. The day was again celebrated with Easter Bunny Racing.
On the 15 Sep 2021 the Paphos Branch celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Royal British Legion.
On the 15th May 2022 the Paphos Branch received a Certificate for achieving Second Place in the 2021 Noel Rogers Trophy. The Noel Roger’s Trophy is awarded to an Overseas Branch that raised the greatest sum per member for the Poppy Appeal.
On the 11 Nov 2023 the Paphos Branch Standard was proudly paraded at the Royal Albert Hall at the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance by the Branch Standard Bearer Mrs J. Baker.
On the 10th Mar 2024 the Paphos Branch celebrated its Tenth Anniversary. This coincided with the 60th Anniversary of UNFICYP.
On the 12th May 2024 the Paphos Branch was awarded the McCrae Shield. The McCrae Shield is awarded to an Overseas Branch which during the year has made the most progress and is of a high standard of efficiency.
On the 12th May 2024 the Paphos Branch was awarded the Overseas Poppy Appeal Award. The Overseas Poppy Appeal Award is Awarded to an Overseas Branch which raised the highest Poppy Appeal donation result per capita, based on population.
On the 07 Oct 2024 The Royal British Legion Membership Council agreed to Mr D. Rees's request for the Paphos Branch to increase its operational boundary to include the boundary of the Western Sovereign Base Area.
On the 09th Mar 2025 the Paphos Branch celebrated its Eleventh Anniversary. This coincided with the 150th Anniversary of the Royal Engineers winning the F.A. Cup.
On the 20th May 2025 the Paphos Branch was awarded the McCrae Shield. The McCrae Shield is awarded to an Overseas Branch which during the year has made the most progress and is of a high standard of efficiency.
On the 20th May 2025 the Paphos Branch received a Certificate for achieving Third Place in the 2025 Jellicoe Cup. The Jellicoe Cup is awarded to a branch in recognition of its sterling efforts, enthusiasm and determination to further the aims of the RBL by increasing the visibility of the services and actively supporting our beneficiaries under the Branch Community Support scheme.
On the 09 Oct 2025 Despite its best efforts and a lot of money, the Royal British Legion has been unable to secure charitable status with the Cypriot authorities. As a result, all branches operating in the Republic of Cyprus are no longer permitted to conduct fundraising activities outside of the Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs). The Paphos Branch will now only meet quarterly in Jan, Apr, Jul and Oct. All fundraising activities are now limited to the WSBA area although BCS (Home/Hospital visits and Telephone Buddy support) can still be carried out throughout the Paphos District.
