The Legion was founded in 1921 as a voice for the ex-Service community and our 550,000 members continue to ensure that this voice does not go unheard.

Although the needs of ex-Service people have changed over the years, we are still there to safeguard their welfare, interests and memory. British service people are in action around the world every day of the year.

They know that if they need our support - now or in the future - the Legion is always on active duty for them.

Monday May 19th Royal British Legion Quiz Night: teams of 6 max. £2 per person. trophy and other prizes. Local organisations such as sailing club, football club, RNLI etc etc welcome to put in teams. Woodmead Hall 7.30pm.

Friday 27^th June 2008  Lyme Regis celebrates Veterans Day for the first time.  Celebrating Veterans at the heart of our Community

Veterans Day is both a celebration of the contribution made by all those who have served in the Armed Forces and a means of raising public awareness of Veterans issues. It takes the form of a nationwide celebration. It is not about commemoration and therefore does not replicate Remembrance Day.

Initiated in 2006 the annual UK Veterans Day sought to raise the public profile of Veterans and the support that is available for this diverse community. Although this is only the third year this annual celebration on the 27th of June is rapidly developing into a nationwide celebration through which we aim to highlight the following key messages:

¨ All ex Service personnel are Veterans, whatever their age, background or service experience ¨ Veterans continue to contribute to society through the transferable skills they have acquired during their military career ¨ A wide range of support and advice is available to the Veterans community

 A social get-together for all serving or retired service personnel and their wives, husbands and partners in Lyme Regis and the surrounding communities.  An informal evening of music, buffet (at a small charge) and a game of skittles (if you wish).  Even if you can manage to stay only a brief time it would be great to see as many as possible on the night.  Come and go as you wish, but at 8.30pm there will be a presentation of newly received Ministry of Defence Veterans’ Badges and a few words spoken about Veterans Day itself. You do not have to be a Royal British Legion member to attend, but simply wish to enjoy the camaraderie and experiences of service life in a pleasant and friendly atmosphere. If you haven’t served in one of our armed forces, but would like to come along on the night or get involved in the Royal British Legion you are most welcome. The Pilot Boat Inn (The Inn Plaice), from 7.00pm.  Should you require further information about the evening please contact David Manners on 01297-443999 or visit the Veterans website on www.veterans-uk.info/index.html
 

Tuesday 5th August: Royal British Legion Barbecue at the Nag's Head from 7.00pm.  All members are invited as well as members from neighbouring branches

Sunday 26th October
Royal British Legion FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE at the Marine Theatre 7.30.pm

11th November 2008
REMEMBRANCE DAY

1100:  TWO MINUTES SILENCE AT THE WAR MEMORIAL

REMEMBRANCE DAY PARADE AND REMEMBRANCETIDE SERVICE.
Parade departs Langmoor Gardens at 1430 for the service at St.Michael's Church at 1500. Please come and join the parade.
 

Fusilier Bill Kenely receiving
his medals for a second time presented by RBL President
Cecil Quick.

The Burma Star
and the
1939-1945
war medal.

Wearing his medals with pride.

Proud veteran of WWII Burma Bill Kenely of Staples Terrace was re-presented with his service medals at a short ceremony at the Royal British Legion Meeting on Thursday.

Events Co-ordinator for the Legion David Manners noticed last Remembrancetide that Bill’s Burma Star medal was attached to his jacket by only a small piece of black cotton tape.

My first thought said former RNR Lt. Cdr Manners was “here’s a man who saw active service in the Far East and his medals have seen a lot better days. So I decided, with Bill’s consent, to get his medals re-ribboned, cleaned and mounted.”

Bill served for two years in India and Burma and is the fourth generation of his family to have served in the British army.  Bill was with the Lancashire Fusiliers.

“Some people may think nowadays why bother to rejuvenate such medals after 63 years?  I have no doubt in my mind having seen Bill Kenely on Thursday.  He is proud of what he achieved, full of painful, sad and sometimes fond memories and determined to wear his “new” medals with the dignity they rightly deserve.

In conclusion Mr. Manners stressed that the task was paid for privately and did not involve Royal British Legion funds.

Polish memorial

Following a number of conversations between the Royal British Legion, the Polish Embassy, Magna Housing and our MP, the first steps have been taken to restore the Polish Air Force memorial on Anning Road.

On Sunday, a small team of Royal British Legion committee members cleared the site of weeds, pruned the roses and made the memorial stone more visible to the public.

David Manners of the Royal British Legion said: “On Saturday 10^th November 2007 at 1200, the stone is to be blessed by a Polish clergyman from London in the presence of the Rt. Hon Oliver Letwin MP, the Mayor Councillor Sally Holman, officials from Magna Housing (on whose land the memorial lays), Legion members and hopefully, some Polish Air Force veterans.

Several thousand Polish airmen died on our behalf during WWII and we think it is only fitting that this humble memorial, which I believe to be the only one in south- west England, is given the respect it deserves."

THEY DID IT! (DARTMOOR: Falklands Anniversary “yomp” in aid of the Royal British Legion)

On the weekend of 18^th/19^th August 2007, the 25^th anniversary of the Falkland’s war was commemorated by a 30 miles “yomp” through the length of Dartmoor in aid of the Lyme Regis branch of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

The team of four walkers was led by former Lt. Cdr RNR David Manners with ex-RN  Petty Officer Dave Humphrey and Terry and Cheryl White.  Transport backup being generously provided by Graham Marler and former RN  Petty officer Murray Kirkby.

Mr Manners said: "Both Dave Humphrey and Murray Kirkby served in the Falkland’s War so it is appropriate that they were with us in this venture.   We now live at a time when proportionally more British servicemen are dying in action than in the Second World War. The Royal British Legion needs every bit of help in supporting the families of the killed and the injured as well as those of all other conflicts in the twentieth century.”

Through atrocious conditions the Royal British Legion team of David Manners, David Humphrey, Terry White & Cheryl White successfully completed the 30 mile 2007 Dartmoor Challenge in aid of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal at the weekend. 

Former Lt. Cdr. David Manners said that the conditions on the north moor on Saturday were amongst the worst he’d seen for some years:  horizontal rain, gale force winds and at times less than 75 metres visibility.  Nevertheless they still enjoyed it!

Having stayed overnight in Princetown and met up with former Lyme Regis Vicar, the Revd. John Andrews and his wife, Margaret, the team set off on to the south moor on Sunday and completed the mammoth “yomp” soon after 2.00 pm. Mr Manners said the entire team are very grateful for all of the support and generosity of both residents and businesses alike and thanked their drivers, Murray Kirkby and Graham Marler and also Rob and Debbie Hamon of the Nag’s Head who laid on a barbecue for the team and their families on Sunday evening. 

 The total money pledged to date is due to exceed £1,300 for the Lyme Regis Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. 

Poppy Appeal Organiser for Lyme Regis, Angela Manners, said “I was somewhat disappointed when we had to cease the House to House collections and this phenomenal sum is a tremendous boost to the Poppy Appeal.  The team achieved a magnificent feat and I extend my thanks to them and the many, many people who sponsored them.”