Talk on British Legion by John Parry - Hungerford Virtual Museum

A third role that I would like to mention is that the standard of the Hungerford Branch of the RBL
has been represented at most if not all of the repatriations of deceased servicemen whose bodies
have been returned to this country via Royal Wooton Basset from Afghanistan.
But what of the RBLs work nationally?
It is the largest and leading serving and ex service organisation and one of the UKs best known
and highly respected charities.
The stated intention is that no serving or ex-service person or their family should be without a
place to turn to when in need. There are nearly 10m people in the UK eligible for support if in
need. Recently the RBL has:-
In the last year responded to 160,000 welfare requests
Is investing with the Ministry of Defence £25m for Personnel Recovery Centres which will
provide residential accommodation for service personnel undergoing recovery after
suffering horrendous injuries in either Iraq or Afghanistan.
Is arguing strongly for a Covenant with the Government of the day whereby service men
and servicewomen have rights and obligations which the Government, in law, would be
forced to take into account. These negotiations appear to be progressing well, but with
Governments of all colours you never know.
So the Royal British Legion is 90 years old this month. In my view it is in a very strong position
but like all charities needs the financial support from the public through the Poppy Appeal and
volunteers to carry out the increasing welfare casework. It is an on-going task especially with
maintaining and increasing membership.
Before I conclude I would like to ask Alan Smith a Royal British Legion member who has held
the post of Honorary County Treasurer and Branch Chairman in East Anglia to give the Kohima
Epitaph. Please remain seated.
“When you go home tel them of us and say for your tomorow we gave our today”
Thank you Alan
In my view this statement, written on the British Armies 2 nd Division Memorial on the
Burma/India border sums up the role of the Royal British Legion in supporting members of our
Armed forces and their families.
Thank you for listening.