Extracts from RBL Newsletters etc. that may be of interest to Tollesbury RBL Members
Please contact a Branch Committee Member for more information on any article shown here.
Key dates for 2021
14th-16th May Virtual Annual Conference
Sat 9th May Russian Arctic Convoy Virtual Memorial Event (Re-scheduled)
Sat 26th June Armed Forces Day
Membership E-newsletter – April 2021
A Century of Service to the Armed Forces Community: The RBL was formed in the aftermath of WW1 aiming to provide much needed support and comradeship to all thise who served their country and their families. 100 years on, the RBL’s mission and the importance of their work remain the same as they were in 1921 with support evolving to meet the changing needs of the Armed Forces community, including providing small interventions to life-changing, and sometimes lifesaving, support.
How the Poppy Became the Symbol of Remembrance: In 1921 Anna Guerin met with the then newly founded British Legion and arranged the manufacturing of a million poppies in France. Later Earl Haig announced he wished 11 November to be known as Remembrance Day and that it would also be a ‘Poppy Day’. The adoption of the poppy as Britain’s symbol of Remembrance was an immediate success and one that has endured the test of time. Find out more at Anna Guérin | History Of The Poppy | Royal British Legion.
Special Event to Honour the Korean War Veterans: The British Korean Society is planning an event that will take place at the National Army Museum on 24th June. Due to the pandemic only a small number of veterans will be able to attend in person, but everyone will be able to watch the live streamed event on YouTube. Members are encouraged to spresd the word about the event, especially to local Korean War veterans and assist to attend virtually in any way they can, while adhering to the current Covid-19 restrictions. Visit Remembering the Forgotten War - British Korean Society - British Korean Society for more information.
One Legion Strategic Update: To read about the proposed changes go to 726658_rbl-provides-members-with-the-latest-updates-on-its-one-legion-strategy.pdf (emlfiles4.com) and you can email info@britishlegion.org.uk with your views.
Russian Arctic Convoy
Virtual Memorial Event: At 2pm (BST) on Sunday 9th May, there will be screening of the tribute to those brave mariners who endured the Russian Arctic Convoys during the Second World War. As Winston Churchill described it as ‘the worst journey in the world’. This will be the 76th anniversary since the last convoy left Loch Ewe in Scotland and the end of the war, it also coincides with Russia Victory Day. This 45-minute tribute is for all the family to watch and includes a special message from Her Majesty the Queen read by the Lord-Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty, His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, the Russian Consul General, Sir Winston Churchill’s Granddaughter Celia Sandys and five convoy veterans, including one from New Zealand and one from Canada. The tribute will include a wreath-laying at the Russian Arctic Convoy Memorial at Cove, Loch Ewe and footage of Loch Ewe and the convoys. Visit the Russian Arctic Convoy Museum's Facebook or YouTube page on Sunday 9th May at 2pm when the video will be available on those platforms to watch at any time.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RacmpUkLochEwe/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RACMuseum/
If you subscribe to the YouTube channel and click the notification bell, or like and follow the Facebook page, you will be notified when the programme is about to premiere. Also produced is an Arctic tartan ribbon and a special 76th-anniversary memorial brochure which can be purchased by visiting the Russian Arctic Convoy Shop. If you know others who would be interested to see this tribute, please pass this on to them..
Military Membership Newsletter – April 2021
Helping Sick and Wounded Veterans After WWll: Over 55,000 men returned from WWI suffering from Tuberculosis (TB), and by 1922 18,000 had died. After seeing the community suffer, the British Legion decided to create a dedicated hospital and village to rehabilitate TB sufferers by providing treatment and offering them appropriate work and housing. Over 95 years later the village in Aylesford, Kent continues to provide housing and support to over 300 members of the Armed Forces community, thanks to our charity partner Royal British Legion Industries. To find out more go to TB Hospital | Royal British Legion
Membership E-newsletter – March 2021
Commonwealth Women serving in the UK Armed Forces: To mark Commonwealth Day and International Women’s Day there is an article on how the role of women in the Armed Forces has changed over the years, highlighting Commonwealth Women’s contributions. Women in Commonwealth have played vital roles in conflicts, from WWl to modern day. Currently around 11% of serving personnel are women and the Armed Forces employ about 4500 Commonwealth citizens. To find out how women’s roles have changed over the last 100 years visit Commonwealth Day | Remembrance Events | Royal British Legion.
Russian Arctic Convoy
Event Update: Unfortunately, the event that was organised for this May has now been cancelled due to the Covid 19 restrictions will not be eased enough for it to go ahead as planned. It has now been deferred to 7th May 2022, two years after the intended memorial to mark the end of WWll and the last Russian Arctic Convoy to leave Loch Ewe. Conscious that numbers of surviving veterans is an ever decreasing number a smaller memorial event will be held on Saturday 8th May 2021 which will be available online with details to follow.
MSO Update 10/03/21
Annual Conference 2021: This will be held virtually on Saturday 15th May to celebrate the RBL’s 100th birthday. It will follow last year’s format with Members being able watch the live streamed Annual Conference from their home with Branch delegates able to discuss and vote on motions online. To register as a visitor complete the online form at
Annual Conference | Membership | Royal British Legion and to register as a delegate by using the app on the Membership Administration Portal, both by Friday 2nd April. All who register successfully will receive an email with all relevant information. Anyone unable to use these online forms to contact the Membership Support Officer or the Annual Conference team at annualconference@britishlegion.org.uk.
MSO Update 03/03/21
Poppy Appeal 2020: A message from the Director of Fundraising and Membership states that despite the challenges of the pandemic the income raised from the Poppy Appeal so far is £24 million, Online donations were very popular, Poppy Shop merchandise was in high demand with Poppies in the Post, Text to Donate and Fund Raising Packs being in high demand while the virtual Poppy Run raised over £1 million. Work has already begun on the 2021 Appeal.
MSO Update 24/02/21
Annual Conference 2021: The Following is a message from the Chairman of the Conference Committee.
“Despite the challenges surrounding the pandemic, we remain committed to still holding Annual Conference this year while also prioritising the safety of our members. We are now pleased to inform you that Annual Conference will be held virtually on Saturday 15th May 2021.”
Annual Conference 2022: It is our hope that we are able to once again meet in person for Annual Conference 2022 at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London. We look forward to being able to participate in a full agenda and mark the first year of the next 100 years of the Royal British Legion.
Centenary Publication “We Are The Legion”: The official Royal British Legion centenary publication written by Julie Summers is now available online at We Are The Legion: The Royal British Legion at 100: Amazon.co.uk: Summers, Julie: 9781788165792: Books for pre-order.
We Are The Legion, richly illustrated with more than 350 images, is the first book to look at our whole one hundred years, telling the extraordinary story of support to servicemen and women in the UK and around the world - from finding jobs and housing to healing the injuries and trauma of conflict.
It also tells the story of the Legion's transformation into a modern media-savvy charity leading the country in Remembrance but also lobbying government on pensions and researching state-of-the-art rehabilitation while working alongside other leading charities on welfare provision.
We Are the Legion covers every aspect of the Legion's work: the history of the poppy, the Legion's international links, and its latest work on rehabilitation and support. But the book also pulls together lesser-known aspects of the Legion's history, whether of the villages set aside for rehabilitation or the misguided trip to Germany in the 1930s as an attempt to foster friendship between nations.
Handsomely presented in a bound landscape quarto edition of 256 pages, it will make an heirloom addition to bookshelves or coffee tables. Pre-orders will be shipped on the publication date of 6th May 2021, in time for the Legion's 100th anniversary.
The edition is offered at £16.71 reduced from £18.99 and pre-orders will be shipped on the publication date of 6th May 2021.
MSO Update 17/02/21
Ceremonial Handbook Update: The changes to this CHB are:
page 25 – The pennant application criteria and inclusion of the 100th pennant
page 29 – WS Veterans badge may be worn by those WS Standard Bearers/Judges/Marshals who qualify on all occasions
page 83 – Youth eligibility
page 85 – Updated competition regions.
MSO Update 03/02/21
Jo Cox Foundation – Facing Loneliness Together Webinar: The RBL and the Jo Cox Foundation held a webinar event on 23rd Feb to help raise awareness and reduce the stigma of loneliness and social isolation amongst Members of the Armed Forces, veterans, their families and carers with a vision of bringing communities together to create a sense of belonging. There was also going to be a talk about initiatives and plans to address loneliness and social isolation. I would presume that there will be a report on this in the near future.
Previous Newsletters etc.
MSO Update 27/01/21
New Brand Identity: A note from Karolina Brzeska, Head of Membership Operations, stating that the new brand identity has now been launched and that this now represents one consistent and clear identity, ensuring that the RBL remains a well-recognised organisation in the years to come. Attached to this message are the RBL Brand Book and Members Q&A.
Membership E-Newsletter – January 2021
Celebrate 100 Years of Supporting the Armed Forces Community: An article from the National Chairman stating that those returning from the war 100 years ago found that their land was not fit for heroes which was the trigger for forming the Legion in 1921, when Members provided for their welfare in a most caring way. This January we begin our celebrations recognising the 100 years of support that we couldn’t have achieved without Members supporting our Armed Forces community.
RBL’s New Brand Identity: How the RBL present themselves is vitally important as they look towards the next 100 years. After a thorough process and input from across the Legion including Members, they are now ready to launch the new identity, keeping the poppy at their heart. A virtual event was held on 18th January about the story behind the new brand identity and what it means for Members, prior to launching at the end of January.
Telling Our Story Through 100 Years of our Members: As the Legion’s centenary approaches the RBL are collecting Member’s stories, photos and memorabilia for a digital library to showcase everything the Legion has achieved in their first 100 years. Nothing is too old or too new, too big or too small. It is important that every Member has the opportunity to tell their story and celebrate all that the RBL does. Look at Telling our story | Legion 100 | Royal British Legion to find out more.
How the RBL presents itself is changing: Their new brand identity has now been launched and the roll out is starting across the organisation. You can access information and tools on Members Brand Page | Membership | Royal British Legion.
MSO Update 11/12/20
New Legion Brand Identity: The launch of the new brand identity will take place on 26th January 2021. As the RBL plans to celebrate their centenary this year, they need a consistent and clear identity that helps everyone to easily find them, understand who they are and the wide range of things that they do for the Armed Forces community. There will also be a new design of the RBL logo and the format of the lettering under ‘RBL’ in the logo has been inspired by the grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey. There will be a ‘no waste’ approach, meaning that any existing materials with the current brand identity should be used up first.
