Whitehead Branch - The Royal British Legion
Summary of branch History 1944-Today
In February 1944 the Area Organiser a Mr Sutherland contacted Major R N A Bailey, Bank House, suggesting the formation of a Branch in Whitehead. This proposal was supported by Cde. Norman Canning, Larne Branch and Chairman of No. 3 Group to which Whitehead would be affiliated.A meeting was arranged by Major Bailey in the A R P Hall on the 30th March 1944. Cde Channing chaired the meeting. Mr Sutherland explained the aims and objectives of a Branch, which was to look after and support the interests of returning ex-servicemen. Most of the early members were 1914/1918 war veterans. Dr. Thos Carnwath D S O was elected Chairman and Major Bailey as Secretary. Mr J M Hunter was elected Treasurer. The annual subscription was three shillings and sixpence !!! 28 Members were enrolled.
The Womens Section was formed in November 1944 and has given stalwart support to the branch over the years. Whist drives and the Poppy Appeal spring to mind. On 6th Dec. 1944 an AGM was held when the Office Bearers were re-elected. Monthly meetings were held in various venues until 1948 when the lease of Russell's Hall (David Wilson,Grocers) was obtained. This ended in 1979 when the Branch was invited to make use of a room in the local Community Centre, thereby reducing our overhead expenses considerably. In 1986 we were invited by the Captain and Council of Whitehead Golf Club to hold our meetings in the clubhouse and we are most grateful for this facility. The main thrust of the Branch has been welfare work and the Poppy Appeal in November. This year we had a total of £8,500.00, our highest to date. Over the years we have presented many awards to Poppy Sellers and we hope to have another ceremony in the near future.
A Branch Standard was presented by the Henshaw family in 1946, and replaced in 1995 by members of the Mowat family. The original Standard is now laid up in St. Patricks Church of Ireland, Whitehead. The War Memorial was Dedicated in 1971, the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Legion, when we became THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION.
Our meetings provide a forum for kindred spirits and comradeship. Our motto is "SERVICE NOT SELF" and putting this into practice we provide help through our Service Committee to ex-service men and women and their dependants.
WHITEHEAD BRANCH - ROYAL BRITISH LEGION - OFFICE BEARERS
PRESIDENTS
Major R N A Bailey 1944-1946
Dr. T Carnwath DSO 1946-1953
Capt. JLT McAdam 1953-1959
Mr RC Macdonnell 1959-1969
Mr WJG Mowat 1969-1974
Mr TJA McComb DFC 1974-1986
Mr R Mowat 1986-2001
Mr HAS McGregor 2001-2012
Mr R Templeton 2012-2015
Cllr Isobelle Day 2015-Present
CHAIRMAN
Dr T Carnwath DSO 1944-1946
Capt JLT McAdam 1946-1953
Col. G Finney 1953-1963
Mr W McIlhinney 1963-1975
Mr R Mowat 1975-1988
Mr J G Johnston 1988-1989
Mr HAS McGregor 1989-1993
Rev CE Brennen 1993-1994
Mr F McCorkell 1994-1995
Mr HAS McGregor 1995-1996
Mr RS Busby 1996-1997
Mr M Cowton 1997-1998
Mr HAS McGregor 1998-1999
Mr JG Johnston 1999-2001
Mr R Templeton 2001-2012
Mr B Dornan 2012-Present
SECRETARY
Major RNA Bailey 1944-1945
Mr JA Henshaw 1945-1946
Mr RG MacDonnell 1946-1947
Mr WS Hagan 1947-1951
Mr TJA McComb DFC 1951-1955
Lt Cdr RH Aldworth 1955-1959
Mr BJ McInerney 1959-1968
Mr SL Cardy 1968-1979
Mr HAS McGregor 1979-1991
Mr J Simpson 1991-1992
Mr F Prendy 1992-2000
Mrs I Day 2000-2015
Miss E Dornan 2015-Present
TREASURER
Mr F Prendy has been Treasurer from 1992-2005 . Major BL White and Mrs KJ White held office from 1986 - 1991. Mr TJA McComb DFC was Treasurer from about 1955 until his death in 1986.Mr Eric Bailey 2005-2012. Mr Brian McGregor 2012-Present
POPPY APPEAL ORGANISERS
Col. G Finney - RC Macdonnell, V Gillgan - W McIlhinney - HAS McGregor - MS Irvine, V Crampton, WN Rafferty.
STANDARD BEARERS
J A Henshaw - R Whatley - A Sykes- R Kent - R Templeton - T Purves - R Leckey - BC McGregor - Eric Bailey-Richard Hambleton-Mark Diamond
Padre
Cannon Mark Taylor BA (Hons) Dip. Theol.
