Old Ledbury - Royal British Legion History

Royal British Legion History

Royal British Legion Church Street - History

The British Legion was formed on 15 May 1921, bringing together four National Organisations of ex-Servicemen that had established themselves after the First World War.

The main purpose of the Legion was straightforward: to care for those who had suffered as a result of service in the Armed Forces during the war, whether through their own service or through that of a husband, father or son. The suffering took many forms: the effect of a war wound on a man's ability to earn a living and support his family, or a war widow's struggle to give her children an education.

Even those who had come through the war relatively unscathed struggled with employment. As a result of the war, Britain's economy plummeted and in 1921 there were two million unemployed. Over six million men had served in the war - 725,000 never returned. Of those who came back, 1.75 million had suffered some kind of disability and half of these were permanently disabled. Added to this figure were the families who depended on those who had gone to war - the wives and children, widows and orphans as well as the parents who had lost sons in the war, who often contributed to the household income.

The situation so moved Lancastrian Lance Bombardier Tom Lister, that he decided that if the government was either unable or unwilling to do anything to improve the lives of ex-Servicemen, he would do something about it himself. This eventually led to the formation of The British Legion.

When the Legion's leaders looked around them, they saw the gigantic task of looking after those who had suffered in the recent war and also the need to prevent further sacrifice by reminding the nation of the human cost of war and to work actively for peace.

By the time of the Legion's formation in 1921, the tradition of an annual Two Minute Silence in memory of the dead had been established. The first ever Poppy Appeal was held that year, with the first Poppy Day on 11 November 1921.

They were granted �Royal� status in 1971, and extended their membership to serving members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces, as well as ex-Service personnel, in 1981. Now, anyone can become a member of The Royal British Legion. They welcome men and women of all ages, whether they have served in the Armed Forces or not, to continue the work that was begun nearly 100 years ago.

60th Anniversary End of First World War - Dinner for First World War Veterans

1978

[First World War Veterans]

All wearing their poppies - Harry GEORGE wearing his medals, Stan LEWIS ( Top of Tables ), Harry LEWIS ( back far left ), ... LANE (from Eastnor), Fred BALDWIN, Mrs MADDERS, Ike MADDERS ( 3rd right ), Mr and Mrs SMITH ( Photographers )

I can remember this the Ledbury Women Section served at tables I was one of them it was a lovely evening...BH

Christmas Draw

[Legion Christmas Draw]

Prizes displayed on the snooker table with Brian JONES looking on.

This is a nice one of Brian in his smock reminded me of Melias's...JVE

Just as i remember him...CP

Chip Andrew Bryon Nice bottles of Chelt and Mackeson, and the Pony!...CAB

[Legion Christmas Draw]

Back Row - Eric WILLIAMS, Geoff TAYLOR, unknown, Charlie WOOD, Wally JUCKES, John HODGES, Ron Neale, Joey 'swede' JONES, Briz DOWNING
Front Row - Jeff BRYON, Bill SHAKESHEFF, Joe WOODHOUSE, Jackie GRIFFITHS, Stan LEWIS

[Legion Christmas Draw]

Tom DAVIS, Jim SMITH, Gordon SMITH, unknown, Jeff BRYON, Brian JONES, Mick FURLONG (Steward)

Tom DAVIS left. Fine butcher done my apprenticeship as slaughterman with him at Churchills High st...LM

My grandad George POOLE was a slaghterman at Churchill's for years...JS

Yes, worked with George a very fit gentleman for his age,he used the pulley hooks to give us a demonstration of gymnastics..LM

[Legion Christmas Draw]

Back Row - Briz DOWNING, Wally JUCKES, Jim CARTER, Charlie WOOD, Jeff TAYLOR, Tom DAVIS, Jeff BRYON
Front Row - Ron NEALE, Stan LEWIS, Bill SHAKESHEFF, Joe WOODHOUSE

A memory that sticks in my mind is when I was a small lad mother cleaned at the Legion in the mornings and she used to drag me up there in the school holidays. Jeff knew I was bored rigid and when he was up there he would get me a coke or pepsi. Lovely man was Jeff...CP

Thanks Chris, 'tis true they don't make many like him any more!...HJ

1965 December 26
Secretary of Ledbury British Legion Branch, Mr E J WILLIAMS, puts the finishing touch to the decorated boar's head which formed an attractive centre piece of the mass of prizes in the branch's annual draw. The head was prepared by Mr Reg BAKER who is the chef at the Feathers Hotel.

Sources
Introduction text British Legion
Photographs are credited to the owners
Comments are from members of the Old Ledbury Facebook Group
Cuttings from Ledbury Reporter newspapers

Ledbury Reporter

The Reporter now has Archive photographs for the years 2005 - 2009 which you can view and order. Select a year then make sure Ledbury is the keyword entered before pressing GO. I have spent many an hour in the Ledbury Library looking through the old Reporters which are on microfiche. Support this great local paper.