The Veteran Issue 3

June - August 2021
The
Veteran
The Quarterly Magazine of the Alicante Branch of the
Royal British Legion
Alicante
HMS Kent
visits Alicante
Celebrating
100 Years of
The Royal British Legion
1921 - 2021

TABLE OF
CONTENTS
3 Message from Ian Price, former Vice Chairman
4 New Members
5 HMS Kent visits Alicante
6 Alicante Branch Meetings Resume
7 'We Served' 17/21st Lancers
11 Armed Forces Day
15 Community Support
16 The 51st Highland Division at St Valery
20 Mrs Joan McLean
21 Poppy Appeal Launch (PAL) 2021. What is Remembrance?
25 'We Served' Hertfordshire Constabulary
27 Memorial Update
29 Video Page
30 Forecast of Events
34 Military Humour
Contact us
Jack Kemp - Alicante Branch Chairman
Ed Morris - Vice Chairman, Recruiting &
Retention
Mary Kemp - Branch Community Support
Hamish McConnachie - Web Master &
Publicity
Alicante.Chairman@rbl.community
Alicante.Vicechairman@rbl.community
Alicante.BCS@rbl.community
Alicante.Web@rbl.community

A Me ssage From
Ian Price
Former Vice Ch airman
Welcome to the latest edition of "The Veteran" the
quarterly magazine of the Alicante Branch of The
Royal British Legion.
I Dare say that very few among the not so well informed
public expected the pandemic to persist into the second half
of this year. The pandemic, with it's associated restrictions
have made it difficult for the Committee to maintain the
momentum of the Branch but I am pleased to say that they
have risen to the occasion and have shown great resolve in supporting our Branch
Members.
All charities are currently going through a difficult time and The Royal British Legion is
unfortunately no different. It is said that money is the root of all evil, if that is true or
not, it certainly enables the Legion to carry out it's vital activities. The Legion is many
things to many people and not all that we do requires direct financial input, hospital
and home visits, telephone buddies, and many other simple chores are carried out by
people such as yourselves.
Two of the issues that have been highlighted by this pandemic are loneliness and a
sense of isolation. Pre-pandemic these were supposedly only suffered by older people
who may have lost their partner, or perhaps simply an older couple who have very little
outside contact in their day to day activities. Now it is different, one way or another we
have all had to isolate, and as such we now begin to hear of physiological problems
arising in "normal people". Imagine therefore how it must affect those among us who
may have endured this for years. I feel that we the Legion can make a real impact
within our community by reaching out to those with a greater understanding of what
traumas they will suffer without someone, somewhere trying to help.
The Alicante Branch has a first class group of volunteers carrying out various tasks but
there is always vacancies for more, more telephone buddies, more hospital visitors,
more home visitors, please consider taking up this challenge for the benefit of others
and indeed yourselves. Full training will be given to any volunteer who wishes to take
up these vital and satisfying rolls.
3

June - August 2021
The Chairman, his Committee and all Members of the Alicante
Branch of the Royal British Legion would like to give a hearty
welcome to the following new members to the Branch:
Chris Epps
John Candler
David Gould
Benjamin (Sgt)Bostock
Stuart Espin
Casey Colebrook Gary
Francis
Colin Ross
Deb's Ross
The Branch Membership now stands at 208 Members
Terry Burt
Chris Fowler
Tony Horton
Judith Brett
Sid Brett
Alexandra (Andra) Williams
Mark Stubbings
Sam Arthur
George (Steve) Berridge
Alicante Branch Welcomes
It’s 200th Member As We
Celebrate 100 Years Of
The Royal British Legion
The Alicante Branch welcomed it’s 200th Member,
Miss Casey Colebrook became the Branches 200th
Member, Casey joined The Royal British Legion
(TRBL) after being asked by her boyfriend Mr Kyle
Rossie if she would like to join. Kyle joined the
Alicante Branch in 2020 also at the age of 18,
when he was encouraged to join TRBL by his dad, Mr Dan
Rossi who is also an Alicante Branch Member, Casey now
takes that title for the youngest Member.
Casey who is 18 years old had no hesitation in saying yes
after seeing the good work completed by the Branch within
the Alicante region and also following the Branches activities
on social media. At the Branch AGM in Oct 2020, the
Chairman Mr Jack Kemp, set a target for the Branch to
increase its Membership from 176 to 200 by Oct 2021, 200 Casey Colebrook 18
Members to Celebrate 100 Years of TRBL. This week that
ambitious total was achieved four months ahead of schedule.
Casey welcome to The Royal British Legion, we hope that you encourage some of your
friends to also join TRBL, your generation are the future of the Legion.
4

HMS KENT visits the Port
of Alicante
HMS Kent, a Type 23 Frigate visited
Alicante on Wednesday 2nd June
2021, Members of the District
Committee of The Royal British Legion
including Jack Kemp The Alicante
Branch Chairman were invited to visit
HMS Kent.
The Ambassador to Spain and Andorra
Hugh Elliott was also in attendance
and commented on the commitment of
both Spain and the UK within NATO in
maintaining security in the
Mediterranean area.
HMS Kent visits Alicante
MS Kent, which is the first
ship from the Carrier Strike
Group to visit Spain, is Hcurrently integrated in NATO’s
Standing Naval Maritime Group 2,
which is under Spanish command.
The Carrier Strike Group is the
largest concentration of maritime and
air power to leave the UK in a
generation – 9 ships, 32 aircraft and
almost 4,000 personnel working
together to show the UK’s
commitment to open societies and
economies, and the benefits of free
trade. It will visit over 40 countries in
a seven-month deployment, from the
Mediterranean to the Indo-Pacific.
Guests receive a socially distant brief
from the senior service
Alicante Branch Chairman, Jack Kemp with
HMS Kent in the background
5

New Vice Chairman Mr Ed Morris (left) with Chairman
Mr Jack Kemp and Secretary Mr John Pratt
ALICANTE BRANCH
MEETINGS RESUME
AFTER RESTRICTIONS
EASE
TMonthly General Meeting on the 1st of
The Alicante branch of the Royal
British Legion (TRBL) held their first
July since September 2020. Meetings were
suspended due to Covid 19 restrictions. The
Meeting was held at the Comparsa
Vizcainos, Carrer Pare Pedro Juan De
Molina in Onil. The meeting was very well
attended with 35 members in attendance.
The Meeting was followed by the customary
social get together and meal.
“Service Not Self”
In even numbered months: At the
International Club, Camino Real de
Villajoyosa 11, La Font, El Campello,
03650
In odd numbered months: At Amigos De
Onil, Calle Biar 20, 03430 Onil, Spain
6

"We Served"
17th/21st
Lancers
Malcolm Gregory 1965 - 1993
Raising of the 17th Lancers
In 1759, Colonel John Hale of the 47th
Foot was ordered back to Britain with
General James Wolfe's final dispatches
and news of his victory in the Battle of
Quebec in September 1759. After his
return, he was rewarded with land in
Canada and granted permission to raise a
regiment of light dragoons. He formed the
regiment in Hertfordshire on 7 November
1759 as the 18th Regiment of (Light)
Dragoons, which also went by the name
of Hale's Light Horse. The admiration of
his men for General Wolfe was evident in
the cap badge Colonel Hale chose for the
regiment: the Death's Head with the motto
"Or Glory". The Regiment was
renumbered the 17th Regiment of (Light)
Dragoons in April 1763
17th Lancers, The charge of the Light Brigade
Battle of Balaclava October 1854
7

Rough-rider Corporal Long, of the 17th Lancers 1896
Raising of the 21st Lancers
The regiment was originally raised in Bengal
by the East India Company in 1858 as the
3rd Bengal European Light Cavalry, for
service in the Indian Rebellion. As with all
other "European" units of the Company, it
was placed under the command of the British
Crown in 1858, and formally moved into the
British Army in 1862, when it was designated
as a hussar regiment and titled the 21st
Regiment of Hussars. In 1897 it was redesignated
as a Lancer Regiment, becoming
the 21st Lancers
17/21 Lancers
The 17th and 21st Lancers were
amalgamated in 1922 to form the
17th/21st Lancers.
During the Second World War the
regiment fought in North Africa and Italy.
Later the 17thth/21st became part of
NATO’s front-line force in West
Germany.
Inter-War Years
Having amalgamated at Tidworth, the
Regiment quickly established their
reputation not only in military proficiency
but also on the sporting field. In 1927,
after being in use for more than a
century, the lance was finally abolished
as a weapon of war in the British Army.
The 17th/21st Lancers were posted to
Meerut, India, in 1930, but it was not until
1938 eleven years after the loss of the
lance that the Regiment were first
mechanised. The outbreak of war saw
the Regiment immediately posted back to
England.
After initially being employed as counter
invasion forces, they became part of the
newly formed 6th Armoured Division,
training with Valentine and Matilda tanks.
The Regiment remained with the new
division in England until 1942 when they
were warned off for active service in
North Africa.
17/21st During the Italian Campaign
8

The Second World War: North Africa
1942-1943
The Regiment eventually deployed to
North Africa in November 1942. They
were not however initially deployed with
the Division but as part of ‘Blade Force’
under Lieutenant Colonel Hull, a
17th/21st Lancer. The plan was that
Blade Force would act as a spearhead
invasion force into Tunisia. The Force
was to move from Algiers, in concert with
the 8th Army who were moving west from
Egypt, having advanced from El Alamein.
The role of the 17th/21st Lancers within
Blade Force was to provide a flank guard
for the 78th Division, which was to occupy
the city. Blade Force made a rapid
advance of 300 miles before being held
up at the T-roads between Sidi Nasir
station and Mateur by strong German
resistance. This delay allowed the
Germans to reinforce and thus foil the bid
to capture Tunis. As a result Blade Force
was broken up and the 17th/21st Lancers
were returned to 26th Armoured Brigade.
At the Battle of Fondouk, on the 8th and
9th April, in which the Regiment was to
play a leading role. The Fondouk Pass
was a flat, open plain, 1000 yards wide,
dominated on both sides by steep rocky
heights. The plan was for the Regiment to
break through the pass and cut off the
retreating German forces. Although a
break-through was achieved losses were
high with eleven killed and thirty-two
wounded, with thirty-two tanks put out of
action, twenty-seven beyond further use.
The Second World War: Italy 1944
The Regiment arrived in Italy during the
preparation phase for the assault on the
Gustav Line.
The assault began on 11th May 1944 with
the crossing of the River Gari. The
17th/21st moved to their bridge-crossing
site ‘Amazon’ during the night only to find
that the bridges had not been laid, due to
all the engineer bulldozers having been
knocked out. As a result the Regiment
were forced to improvise, using their tanks
to shunt a Bailey Bridge into position and
thus effect a crossing. By the 14th the
Corps had achieved nineteen crossings
and by the 16th the pressure on the
Germans proved so great that they were
forced to abandon the Gustav Line. The
advance north of Rome proved itself even
harder than in the south. There were only
three routes capable of supporting
armoured formations with the Germans
covering all of them with direct and indirect
fire. The delaying action the Germans
fought was so effective it took the Allies
four months to reach the Gothic Line. The
winter of 1944/1945 saw the 17th/21st
taking their turn as infantry on the Gothic
Line in The Apennine Mountains, not only
manning trenches but machine guns and
mortars. For the Regiment the battle of
The Po Valley proved to be the final action
of the war.
Malcolm on parade as a Staff Sergeant
wearing No1 Dress
9

The Cold War 1953-1989
The main role of the 17th/21st Lancers
service after the war was as part of the
British Army of the Rhine serving as part of
NATO’s conventional deterrent against the
Warsaw Pact Armies of Eastern Europe. It
also served throughout the world with both
squadron and troop deployments to Hong
Kong, Borneo, Aden, Libya, Belize, Kuwait
and Cyprus.
The main operational commitment post war
for the Regiment was in Northern Ireland.
Since 1969 and the beginning of the
‘troubles’, the 17th/21st were regularly
deployed to the province in both mounted
and dismounted roles. The Regiment was
employed in Saladin, Saracen and Ferret
armoured cars during the first two and
bloodiest years of the troubles. The
Regiment also conducted dismounted fourmonth
emergency tours.
Warrant Officer Class 1 Malcolm Gregory as
Regimental Sergeant Major 17/21Lancers in Munster
Germany. Malcolm retired from the Regular Army
with the Rank of Major in 1993
Irish Hussars. The 17th/21st Lancers
Band were deployed in their wartime role
as medics.
The Gulf War 1991
With the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990
and the deployment of 1st (UK) Armoured
Division to the Gulf came the only
opportunity for desert warfare since the
North Africa campaign of 1943.
Although the 17th/21st did not deploy as a
Regiment; it did however furnish more than
two Squadrons of men and most of its
equipment to reinforce the Royal Scots
Dragoons Guards and the Queens Royal
Victory in the Gulf War did not however
save the Army from the consequences of
the end of the Cold War. Reductions and
amalgamations were still implemented in
the summer of 1991. The Royal
Armoured Corps was reduced from
nineteen to eleven regiments. The fate of
the 17th/21st was to amalgamate with
the 16th/5th Lancers; this was completed
by June 1993 when they formed a new
Regiment, called The Queen’s Royal
Lancers.
Due to more defence restructuring The
Queen's Royal Lancers have further
amalgamated, this time with the 9th 12th
Lancers to form the Royal Lancers (see
video link on our video page)
10

Members of The Alicante Branch of the Royal British Legion
along with other branches in District North Spain took part in
the celebration of the contributions made by the British
Armed Forces both past and present at Orihuela Cathedral
on Saturday the 26th of June. Armed Forces day takes place
annually on the last Saturday of June to commemorate the
service of men and women in the British Armed Forces.
Royal British Legion Celebrate
Armed Forces Day in style
Armed Forces Day saw
Members of the Alicante
Branch and other Branches
in Spain District North attend the
Armed Forces Day Service at
Orihuela Cathedral. The service was
attended by His Excellency Hugh
Elliot Her Majesty’s Ambassador to
Spain and Andorra, who is also the
Patron of The Royal British Legion in
Spain. Also attending was the Mayor
of Oriheula His Excellency Emilio
Bascunana Galiano, The Chief of
Police, The Defence Attache and
several serving officers of the British
Armed Forces in Spain. The Alicante
Branch was well represented with
Jack Kemp carrying out the duties of
Parade Marshall while Mary Kemp
carried the Union Flag, John Pratt,
the District Standard and Calum
Venters the Branch Standard.
Branch Standard Bearers, Mrs Mary Kemp,
Union Flag and Mr John Pratt, District North
Spain Standard
11

Armed Forces Day 2021
26 June 2021
Orihuela Cathedral
The British Ambassador
with the Mayor of
Orihuela and Mr Don
Cubbon Chairman of
District North Spain
The Arrival of the Ambassador at the Cathedral
All three services of the Armed Forces were
represented by serving officers stationed in Spain
The Concert Band of The Royal British Legion,
Spain District North under the directorship of Mr
David Last
Alicante Branch Members George and Joan Mollins
12

Armed Forces Day
Dia De Las Fuerzas Armadas
Father Emilio M Sanchez receives
the National Flag of Spain into
the temporary custody of the
Church
Mr Jack Kemp District Parade
Marshall and Chairman of the
Alicante Branch
District Standard Bearers carrying
the National Flag of Spain, The
Union Flag of the United Kingdom
and the District Standard
The District Standard Bearers with their Standards to
the rear during the Service
The District Standard Bearers with Piper after the
service
In our centenary year we are firmly focused on our future.
By building on a century of work we'll make sure we are a charity
fit for the next 100
13

Armed Forces Day
Dia De Las Fuerzas Armadas
The British Ambassador supporting
TRBL during the Service
Branch Webmaster and Publicity
Hamish McConnachie
Alicante Branch stalwart
Mensha Franks
Fr Richard Dunstan-Meadows and Fr. Emilio M
Sanchez who conducted the Service
Branch Members Terry Sandford (Branch Entertainments)
and Norman Whiteside
The Ambassador, The Patron of the Royal British Legion in Spain, during his speech
spoke of his pride at being the Patron of the Royal British Legion in Spain, the 100
years of the RBL, it’s achievements and it’s history.
The Ambassador later said of the Legion in Spain "The Legion is an essential partner to
our consulates – sharing our Brexit and travel advice, providing financial assistance to
welfare cases and supporting British prisoners with visits. The emotional, practical and
financial support it has provided to vulnerable UK Nationals in incredibly complicated
and challenging circumstances has been truly invaluable. It is not an overstatement to
say that some individuals would not have made it through without it"
14

The Alicante Branch of The Royal British
Legion are here to help, if we can, we will.
If you need the assistance of the Legion, or
know someone who might, please contact your
Branch Community Support (BCS) Member
Mary Lou - Alicante.bcs@rbl.community or
Jack Kemp at
Alicante.Chairman@rbl.community
The Alicante Branch have Caseworkers, Hospital &
Home visitors and Telephone Buddies supporting our
Beneficiaries here in Spain.
Many people still don’t know that The Royal British
Legion are here and is active and ready to offer help
and support to any beneficiary who qualifies for help.
Each case is dealt with in full confidentiality on an
individual needs’ basis by the relevantly trained
people, and in most cases, we can offer some help or
support, if we can’t help at Branch level then we have
fantastic support from District who will either assist or
signpost you to another source of support.
If we can’t help we will assess & consider requests for
help for qualifying beneficiaries or family members,
this does not always mean a financial payment, it
could be guidance in where to get information or how
to access social services.
We are often asked about things such as how do we
get a Blue badge, home help, meals on wheels etc
and we can guide people to where they need to go.
The Legion often have liaisons between the
beneficiary and their Regiment, Ship or Unit when help
is delivered. This can be as simple as safety features
in a bathroom, or a mobility scooter, a red button
alarm in the home for peace of mind, a walking frame
or other equipment, the list of things requested and
supplied are endless.
If you think you may need help, then please contact
Mary Lou or Jack Kemp using the details above. If you
think someone you know may have served and needs
some support encourage them to contact us as we
cannot contact anyone directly without their
permission, and we cannot discuss anyone’s
individual circumstances with a third party until we
have their express permission to do so.
Please remember The Royal British Legion & all
Branches in District North Spain are here to help if we
can.
Branch Community Support
Every year we help thousands
of people when they need it
most.
This could include food or
clothing vouchers, funeral costs,
mobility vehicles and aids or even
household appliances and
furniture.
Whatever your situation, please
don’t hesitate to get in touch as we
will consider almost all requests.
However, we are not able to help
with repayment of business debts,
loans, legal expenses or where state
assistance or statutory services are
available.
Stay Safe, Stay Well.
15

The sacrifice of the
Edited by
Hamish McConnachie
51st Highland
Highland Division Memorial
Division at
St Valery
They were the forgotten victims of the
Second World War who suffered in their
thousands from all across the north of
Scotland. It is 81 years since the surrender of
the 51st (Highland) Division, who experienced
horrific loss of life in the aftermath of the
Dunkirk evacuation in France.
On June 12, 1940, just days after the successful
mass evacuations at Dunkirk, thousands of British
troops remained on continental Europe under
French command. Largely comprised of men from
the 51st (Highland) Division, they fought almost
continuously for ten days against overwhelming
odds until they were eventually surrounded at St
Valery. Around 10,000 survivors, from the Black
Watch and the Queen’s Own Cameron, Seaforth
and Gordon Highlanders, were captured during the
hostilities and spent the remainder of the conflict as
prisoners, often enduring appalling hardship.
This is their story
With the situation regarding Nazi Germany
deteriorating and the threat of war on the rise, the
51st (Highland) Infantry Division was mobilised on
24 August 1939. In preparation for joining the BEF
in France, the division travelled from Scotland to
Aldershot, where it received final equipping and
training. All units had arrived at Aldershot by 16
September 1939. The men were required to wear
the standard British Army battledress of the day.
Formation Insignia
St Valery-en Caux
Bruar Perthshire
The War Office had decided that kilts
were not suited to modern mechanised
warfare. Thus the men were required to
hand in their kilts before embarking for
France.
In mid-January 1940 the Division departed
from Southampton and disembarked at
the French port of Le Havre and came
under command of I Corps of the British
Expeditionary Force (BEF) On 22 April
1940 the 51st Division was detached from
the rest of the BEF to come under
command of the French Third Army. With
the German invasion of France and the
low countries on 10 May 1940 the BEF
advanced into Belgium to meet the
advancing German forces.
16

Stationed to the south in front of the Maginot Line,
the 51st Division was not a part of the force
involved in Belgium, and was thus not involved in
the Dunkirk evacuation. In response to the German
advance it was pulled back to form a defensive line
along the Somme, where it was attached to the
French Tenth Army. With the withdrawal of Allied
forces at Dunkirk, the Germans turned their
attention to the south. On 5 June they began their
second offensive. The 51st was tasked with
holding a line four times longer than that which
would normally be expected of a division.
Major General V M Fortune, GOC 51st Highland Division , with General
Major Erwin Rommel at St. Valéry after the surrender of the 51st Division
to Rommel's 7th Panzer Division
After many sustained attacks over 5–6 June
caused heavy losses, particularly among the 7th
Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders,
where the main weight of the German attack fell.
The other battalions of the 154th Brigade were
enveloped. The remnant of the 154th Brigade was
forced to retire to the west.
Meanwhile, the 152nd and 153rd Brigades, along
with the French 9th Corps, were cut off from the
main Allied forces, and had to withdraw toward Le
Havre for a possible evacuation by sea. As the
force moved back toward the coast German forces
reached the coast area near Saint-Valery-en-Caux
first, cutting off the line of retreat to Le Havre. The
French and British force pulled back into Saint
Valery-en-Caux.
French and British prisoners of war above St Valery
With steep cliffs overlooking the small
harbour, the Germans had a ready line of
fire to use against any attempts to
withdraw. General Fortune could not hold
out much longer, and realized their last
chance was to be pulled off in the dark on
the night of 11/12 June, but no ships
came, ships were assembled for the
evacuation but daytime evacuation was
impossible and on the final night fog
meant that the ships could not
communicate and co-ordination would be
impossible. On the morning of 12 June the
French forces surrendered, followed 30
minutes later by the British. Major-General
Fortune was one of the most senior British
officers to be taken prisoner in the war.
“The men had been fighting almost
continuously for ten days against
overwhelming odds. They were exhausted
and virtually out of ammunition, with no
artillery ammunition left at all.
More than 10,000 members of the 51st
(Highland) Infantry Division were taken
prisoner at St Valery. They were marched
to Germany, via Belgium, following the
route over which the Germans had
advanced against them. The officers were
separated from the men.
17

There were some notable escapes, mostly in
the early stages of the march. Of the 290
British Army POW escapers who had returned
to Britain by the end of June 1941, 134 were
members of the 51st (Highland) Infantry
Division.
There can hardly have
been a town, village or
hamlet in the
Highlands and beyond
which was not directly
affected by the loss.
After the war was over, General Fortune was
knighted by King George VI for his work in
promoting the welfare of his men while in
captivity: despite failing health, he had resisted
repatriation. From the British point of view, the
defeat of the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division
was the end of the Allied resistance during the
Battle of France.
Donald with Sergeant Johnson Beharry VC on
Rememberance Sunday
RONNIE MACKINTOSH-WALKER
Joined his Regiment, The Seaforth
Highlanders, at the Battle of the Somme in
July 1916, aged 18. By the age of 19, he
had been awarded three Military Crosses for
exceptional courage and bravery in the face
of the enemy – a truly extraordinary and
unique achievement. (A Military Cross is just
below a Victoria Cross for bravery).
Donald Smith, Seaforth Highlanders who
was injured and then captured at St Valery
spent the rest of the war as a Prisoner of War
in Poland. Of his five friends who joined the
Seaforth Highlanders, Donald was the sole
survivor. Donald was a regular attendee at
the Cenotaph in London for Remembrance
Sunday where he was a respected member of
our contingent and I had the honour to march
with him on at least two occasions. Donald
passed earlier this year aged 100.
At the start of WWII, he was captured at St
Valery-en-Caux in northern France, along
with the whole of the 51st Highland
Division shortly after the evacuation from
Dunkirk in June 1940. However, as they
were being marched across northern
France to the German POW camps, Uncle
Ron escaped near Lille and then cycled
the whole way down France to Marseilles
before crossing over the Pyrenees into
Spain and returning home to Britain and
Scotland via Portugal.
18

In June 1944, as a Brigadier, he commanded
227 Highland Brigade on the breakout from the
Normandy beaches shortly after D Day.In
some of the fiercest fighting to capture the
strategically vital high ground at Côte 112, he
was killed on the 16th July 1944, aged 46, at
Baron-sur-Odon; one of the most senior
officers to be killed in action in WWII. He was
posthumously awarded a Distinguished
Service Order, DSO, for exceptional
leadership. He is buried in the CWGC at
Hottot-Les-Bagues in Normandy.
Information on Ronnie Macintosh-Walker
courtesy of Giles Nevill, Ronnie's nephew,
and former officer in the Queen's Own
Highlanders with whom I had the honour to
serve.
The 51st Highland Division fought a
heroic rearguard action to assist the
Dunkirk evacuation, culminating in the
battle of Saint-Valéry-en-Caux in 1940
where thousands were either killed or
captured. The bad news of the surrender
of the 51st Highland Division, just ten
days after the last ships sailed from
Dunkirk, was virtually airbrushed from
history
The Charge of the 1st Battalion Queens
Own Cameron Highlanders by David
Rowlands.
Alexander McConnachie,
Gordon Highlanders who was injured during
the retreat to St Valery and was evacuated to
Britain and discharged from the Army due to
his wounds. He went on to be a transport
driver resupplying Army and Airforce bases in
the North of Scotland.
French General Charles de Gaulle, in a
speech, claimed "I can tell you that the
comradeship in arms experienced on the
battlefield of Abbeville in May and June 1940
between the French armoured division which I
had the honour to command and the valiant
51st Highland Division played its part in the
decision which I took to continue fighting on the
side of the Allies unto the end, no matter what
the course of events."
1st Battalion in action at Escaut Canal,
Belgium. The last Highland Regiment to
wear a kilt in battle, attacking the Germans
at the River Escaut, May 1940. Whilst not
part of the 51st Highland Division 1st
Camerons it would seem never got the
War Office directive.
Lest We Forget
19

Mrs Joan McLean
Mrs Joan McLean
Alicante Branch Chairman and Parade
Marshall District North Spain, Jack Kemp
represented The Royal British Legion when
requested to carry the RBL Standard at the
Scattering of Ashes of Mrs Joan McLean
(Maiden name Joan Shaw). The service
took place in Menorca on Saturday 24th
July 2021. The photographs have been
provided by Joan’s daughter Joanna. Joan
served within the Woman’s Royal Navy
Services (WRNS)
in WW2, initially
serving in Chelsea
as a Leading
Plotter, Plotting the
movement of ships
both friendly and
enemy. Her first
establishment was
bombed, and Joan
moved from
Chelsea to the
dockyard tunnels in
Daughter Joanna Scattering
Joan’s Ashes and
Remembrance Poppy Wreath
Chatham working
this time as a
Plotter & Signaller.
WRNS Plotter & Signaller WW2
During her time in the WRNS Joan even
found herself escorting mailbags on a
Lancaster Bomber. Joan was also best
friends with Elisabeth Harvey who was the
Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) poster
girl, both staying best friends after the war.
District Parade
Marshall Jack Kemp,
right representing
The Royal British
Legion
Rest in Peace
Joan, thank
you for your
Service
during WW2
War Time
Poster of
Elizabeth
Harvey (Left)
and Joan’s
Photo of her
best friend
Elizabeth
Harvey (Right)
20

This years District North Spain
Poppy Appeal Launch (PAL) will
take place in Benidorm on
Saturday 16th of October 2021.
Last year due to Covid
restrictions the Launch was a
much reduced but very
successful affair.
The 2021 Launch which will take place in it's
normal location on the seafront promises to be
a grand affair with Standards from all 14 District
North Branches and other organisations.
District North Spain Poppy
Appeal Launch
(PAL)
Benidorm
16th October 2021
Alicante Branch Standard Bearers at the 2020 Poppy
Appeal Launch
How do you wear your Poppy?
There is no 'correct way to wear a poppy
It is a matter of personal choice whether someone chooses to wear a
poppy and how they choose to wear it
The best way to wear a poppy is simply with
pride.
21

What is
Remembrance?
Remembrance honours those who
serve to defend our democratic
freedoms and way of life.
Remembrance does not glorify
war and its symbol, the red poppy,
is a sign of both Remembrance
and hope for a peaceful future.
Remembrance unites people of all
faiths, cultures, and backgrounds but
it is also deeply personal.
Everyone is welcome to join the Alicante Branch
on the 11th November 2021 for Armistice Day at
Castalla International at 10:30 and on the 14th
November 2021 at 10:30 for Remembrance
Sunday at El Campello Beach Front
22

The Western Front
During WW1, much of
the fighting took place
in Western Europe.
The countryside was
blasted, bombed and
fought over
repeatedly.
Previously beautiful landscapes turned to
mud; bleak and barren scenes where little or
nothing could grow.There was a notable and
striking exception to the bleakness - the bright
red Flanders poppies. These resilient flowers
flourished in the middle of so much chaos and
destruction, growing in the thousands upon
thousands.
Shortly after losing a friend in Ypres, a
Canadian doctor, Lieutenant Colonel John
McCrae was moved by the sight of these
poppies and that inspiration led him to write
the now famous poem 'In Flanders Fields'.
The spread of the poppy as a symbol
The poem then inspired an American
academic named Moina Michael to adopt the
poppy in memory of those who had fallen in
the war. She campaigned to get it adopted as
an official symbol of Remembrance across the
United States and worked with others who
were trying to do the same in Canada,
Australia, and the UK.
Also involved with those efforts was a French
woman, Anna Guérin who was in the UK in
1921 where she planned to sell the poppies in
London.
There she met Earl Haig, our founder, who
was persuaded to adopt the poppy as our
emblem in the UK. The Royal British Legion,
which had been formed in 1921, ordered nine
million poppies and sold them on 11
November that year.
The Inspiration
and History
behind the
Poppy becoming
a symbol of
Remembrance
Sold out!
The poppies sold out almost immediately.
That first 'Poppy Appeal' raised over
£106,000 to help veterans with housing and
jobs; a considerable sum at the time. In
view of how quickly the poppies had sold
and wanting to ensure plenty of poppies for
the next appeal, Major George Howson set
up the Poppy Factory to employ disabled
ex-servicemen. Today, the factory and our
warehouse in Aylesford produces millions
of poppies each year.
The demand for poppies in England
continued unabated and was so high, in
fact, that few poppies actually managed to
reach Scotland. To address this and meet
growing demand, Earl Haig's wife Dorothy
established the 'Lady Haig Poppy Factory'
in Edinburgh in 1926 to produce poppies
exclusively for Scotland.
Today, over five million Scottish poppies
(which have four petals and no leaf unlike
poppies in the rest of the UK) are still made
by hand by disabled ex-Servicemen at
Lady Haig's Poppy Factory each year and
distributed by our sister charity
Poppyscotland.
23

John McCrae
Early on the morning of May 3, 1915, John
McCrae sat wearily near his field dressing
station, a crude bunker cut into the slopes of
a bank near the Ypres-Yser Canal in
Belgium. A Canadian military surgeon, he
had been at the French line for 12 days
under incessant German bombardment, and
the toll of dead and wounded had been
appalling.
From his position on the road along the
canal running into Ypres, McCrae wrote: “I
saw all the tragedies of war enacted. A
wagon, or a bunch of horses or a stray man,
would get there just in time for a shell. One
could see the absolute knockout; or worse
yet, at night one could hear the tragedy, a
horse’s scream or the man’s moan.”
The previous night
he had buried a
good friend, Lt.
Alexis Helmer of
Ottawa, blown to
pieces by a direct
hit from a German
shell. Now, as he
sat in the early
morning sunshine,
he could hear the
larks singing
between the crash
of the guns.
He could see the rows of crosses in a nearby
cemetery. The field where the cemetery lay
was thick with scarlet poppies, their dormant
seeds churned up by the guns, blooming
despite-or because of-the carnage. McCrae
took in the scene and quickly wrote a 15-line
poem. Speaking as from the dead to the
living, “In Flanders Fields” was to become
the most famous poem of the Great War—
perhaps of any war.
In Flanders
Fields
BY John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Video Link, Click Here
24

"We Served"
John Pratt
Hertfordshire Constabulary
Cadets 1966 - 1969
Regular 1969 - 1998
The constabulary was founded in 1841, under the
County Police Act, five years after the Hertford
Borough Police and St Albans Borough Police had
been formed. In 1889, the Hertford Borough Police
force was merged into Hertfordshire. The first
constables were working-class men and were paid at
the level of an agricultural labourer. In Victorian
times, officers were entitled to only one rest day in
every four to six weeks and were entitled to only one
week's unpaid annual leave a year. A ten-hour
working day was the norm and no meal breaks were
allowed. There were strict constraints on an officer's
private life too. For example, officers reportedly could
not leave their homes without permission and could
only go out with their wives so long as they were not
absent for more than two hours and someone was
home to take messages.
Alicante Branch Secretary &
District Standard Bearer
John as a Cadet
25

St Albans Constabulary
remained independent until
1947, then being absorbed
into the Hertfordshire
Constabulary. Finally, it was
in 2000 that the current force
boundaries came into place
with the addition of Hertsmere and Broxbourne,
transferred from the Metropolitan Police. In 2006,
proposals were made by Charles Clarke, the then
Home Secretary, that would see the force merge
with neighbour forces Bedfordshire Police and Essex
Police to form a new strategic police force. However,
in July 2006, the then Prime Minister Tony Blair
signalled that police force mergers would not be
forced through by the central government. However,
with the economic recession beginning in 2008 the
force began working on collaboration with
neighbouring forces. First joining with Bedfordshire
Police and then Cambridgeshire Constabulary in a
strategic alliance, the three forces formed joint units
in counter terrorism, major crime, dogs, firearms,
SOCO, roads policing, operation planning, civil
contingencies, ICT and professional standards.
Working collaboratively in this way protected local
policing by local officers, but enabled specialist units
to work across, and be paid for by, all three forces.
Further collaborative work is underway with call
handling, control and dispatch, human resources
and some 'back-office' functions being examined for
merging. For the foreseeable future, the
Constabulary looks likely to remain an independent
force. Ultimately, the decision for any full merger of
the three forces will be in the hands of the Police and
Crime Commissioners, and thereby in turn, the
public themselves.
The Constabulary celebrated it's 180th Anniversary
in April this year.
John having received his Long Service
and Good Conduct Medal
Carrying the District Standard at the Poppy
Appeal Launch (PAL) 2020. John is also carrying
our Branch Standard at the Festival of
Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall this year.
26

MEMORIAL UPDATE
The Alicante Branch Remembrance Memorial project has moved
several steps closer to completion, the Branch has now secured
the funds required due to several fund raising events.
In June our Chairman, Jack Kemp and Hamish McConnachie attended
a meeting with the Mayor of Castalla, Don Antonio Bernabeu and
Councilor Asun Vera Vicente at the Town Hall, both the Mayor and
Councilor Vicente gave their support for the project and since then
Asun has been working very closely with the monument sub -
committee as liaison with the Town hall. Initial paperwork for the
project was submitted on the same day. The final paperwork, the
architects submission was submitted in early August.
The drafts for the two memorial plaques are now in the hands of a local
granite company who will produce the plaques as soon as the Town
hall gives the official "go ahead".
Invitations to several local, national and international dignitaries
including Joe Falzon OSJ BEM the National Vice Chairman, Bob
Chambers the Membership Council Overseas Representative and the
Defence Attaché from the British Embassy in Madrid have been
accepted. The target date for the unveiling is Sunday 17th October
2021 as part of the Alicante Branch, Legion 100 Anniversary
celebrations and Poppy Appeal Launch (PAL).
27

Help us to assist
The Royal British
Legions
Beneficiaries
We would love
more
Caseworkers,
Across District
North Spain
Training will be
provided if you
can assist with
any of the
voluntary
positions
Do you have a few
hours to spare on
an ad hoc basis?
Do you won’t to
be a House Bound
and Hospital
Visitor?
BRANCH COMMUNITY
SUPPORT
By volunteering
some of your free
time you can
assist
The Royal British
Legion
You can make a
difference and
improve the
quality of life for
one of our
Beneficiaries here
in Spain
ALICANTE BRANCH
CONTACT DETAIL
Branch Community Support
Name: Mary Kemp:
Mobile: +34 711 039 685
Alicante.BCS@rbl.community
Alicante Branch Web Page
Alicante RBL Facebook Page
We are Responsive,
Dedicated and Committed,
we provide support before
you join the Branch and after
you join the Branch, we play
a huge part in supporting the
local communities within our
Branch area.
Our BCS Committee Member
is only a phone call or email
away and works in the
strictest of confidentiality.
Alternatively, if
you find it hard to
get out, why not
be a Telephone
Buddy for
someone who is
isolated either
through illness or
location and
would love to
hear another
voice
The primary aim of TRBL is to support serving members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army,
Royal Air Force, Reservists, Veterans and their families, many Veterans & their families live within the
Branch catchment area.
Join the Alicante Branch you will be made most welcome.
For more information on the Branch or joining call the Branch Chairman Jack Kemp on: 711 012 668
THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION (TRBL) – IN SPAIN
Provides lifelong support to the Armed Forces
Community, to our serving men, women, veterans and
their families
Pamela Twissell-Cross
District Community Support Coordinator (Spain North)
Registered Charity No. 219279
Tel: +34 676 451 780, Mon to Fri 09:00 – 14:00 hours
Email: spainnorth.communitysupport@RBL.community
Spanish NIF N8261536
28

The Video Page
Our Video page is designed to complement and give further information on articles
that appear within the Veteran.
Click Here
Click Here
HMS Kent visits Alicante
51st Highland Division at St Valery
Click Here
Click Here
Lancers - Merger, BBC East Midlands Armed Forces Day 2021
29

Forecast of Event s
Alicante Branch meets at 12:30 pm on the 1st
Thursday of the month:
In even numbered months: At the International Club, Camino Real de Villajoyosa 11, La
Font, El Campello, 03650
In odd numbered months: At Amigos De Onil, Calle Biar 20, 03430 Onil, Spain
All meetings are followed by a Social Lunch within the local area.
Our weekly casual 'Meet & Greet' takes place at the No Problem Bar, Castalla
international on Thursdays at 15:00. Come along and meet some of the members
September 2021 Social Event requested by Branch Members at the Aug General Meeting.
2nd September 2021 Branch General Meeting – location will be Amigos Onil starting as
always at 12:30 hours and will be followed by a social lunch.
7th October 2021 Branch Annual General Meeting - TIC in El Campello, starting at 12:00
hours and will be followed by a social lunch.
16th October 2021 Poppy Appeal Launch (PAL) Benidorm.
17th October 2021 at 10:30 unveiling of the RBL Memorial in Castalla
17th October 2021 at 18:30 100th Anniversary Poppy Ball Caseta Nova Ibi.
4th November 2021 Branch General Meeting – location will be Amigos Onil , starting as
always at 12:30 hours and will be followed by a social lunch.
11th November 2021 at 10:30 Armistice Day - Castalla International
14th November 2021 at 10:30 Remembrance Sunday - El Campello beach front.
2nd December 2021 – Branch Christmas Lunch – La Cova, El Campello, 12:30 hours. Note
as per normal we will not have a Branch General Meeting in Dec 2021.
13th January 2022 - Branch General Meeting – location will be Amigos, Onil , starting as
always at 12:30 hours and will be followed by a social lunch.
027 30

Alicante Branch to be represented at
The Festival of Remembrance
It was confirmed at the August General
Meeting that Mr John Pratt, Branch Deputy
Standard Bearer will represent the Alicante
Branch by carrying the Branch Standard at
the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal
Albert Hall in London.
Mr John Pratt, Branch
Secretary and Deputy
Standard Bearer
Chairman's Certificate of Appreciation
Wendi Longman
Last year Wendi made Face
Coverings which people then kindly
donated money which went towards
The Royal British Legion Poppy
Appeal 2020. Wendi should have
been presented with her Certificate
at last years AGM but due to the
Pandemic Regulations she was
unable to come over to Spain, so it
was fabulous to finally say thank
you from all Members and Friends
of the Alicante Branch. Well done
Wendi and Thank You.
Wendi with Chairman Jack Kemp
31

Robert Burns
January 25th 1759 - July 21st 1796
225th Anniversary of the Bards Death
Due to Covid restrictions The Alicante
Branch of The Royal British Legion had to
cancel their Burns Supper on the
traditional date of January 25th. As this
year is the 225th Anniversary of the
Bards death it was decided to hold a
"Burns Wake" on July 21st at Glenn's
Restaurant in Castalla.
The format and menu was the same as
for a traditional "Burns Supper" and a
raffle was held which raised the sum of
180 Euros for the 2021 Poppy Appeal.
whiskey, Caramel Logs, Crabbies, Baxters
soups and shortbread was donated by Sue
Parkes McConnachie.
Branch Members Sue Morris, George Mollins and
Jenny Powell
The Master of Ceremonies Mr Hamish
McConnachie who is also the Alicante
Branch Webmaster and Publicity Member
welcomed the guests before addressing the
Haggis. After the traditional supper of
Cock-a-Leekie Soup, Haggis, Neeps and
Tatties followed by Cranachan and Atholl
Brose the night was then given up to
Poems and general merriment.
The raffle which contained Scottish
delicacies such as oatcakes, haggis,
Branch Members Terry Sandford, Joan Mollins and
Ed Morris
32

Menu and Itinerary
Sue Parkes McConnachie and Val Porter, Sue gave the
Immortal Memory which covered Burn's life leading up
to his death and his funeral.
Jema Ovies Lucianez who gave a fantastic
rendering of My love is like a Red Red Rose in
Spanish with Kim Goodchild the Alicante Branch
Treasurer.
An extract from the diary of William Grierson
This day at 12 o'clock I went to the Burial of Robert Burns who died on the 21st aged 38 years, in respect to the
Memory of such a genius as Mr Burns, his funeral was uncomonly splendid the Military here consisting of the Cinque
Ports Cavalry and Angusshire Fencibles who having handsomely tendered their services lined the streets on both
sides from the Court House to the burial ground. The corpse was carried from the place where Mr Burns lived to the
Court House last night.
The firing party which consisted of 20 of the Royal Dumfries Volunteers, of which Mr Burns was a member, in full
uniform with capes on the left arm, marched in front with their Arms reversed moving in a slow and solemn time to
the Death March in Saul which was played by the Military Band belonging to the Cinque Ports Cavalry. Next to the
firing party was the band. Then the bier and corpse supported by 6 of the volunteers who changed at intervals. The
relations of the deceased and a number of respectable inhabitants of both Town and Country followed next then the
remainder of the volunteers followed in rank and the procession closed with a guard of the Angusshire Fencibles. The
great Bells of the Churches tolled at intervals during the time of the procession. When arrived at the Churchyard gate
the funeral party formed two lines and leaned their heads on their firelocks pointed to the ground. Through this space
the corpse was carried and borne forward to the grave. The party then drew up alongside of it and fired three vollies
over the coffin when deposited in the earth, this closing a ceremony which on the whole presented a solemn grand
and affecting spectacle and accorded with the general sorrow and regret for the loss of a man whose like we can scarce
see again
33

Barman: “Guys, I just heard a great joke about the
military!” Customer: “Before you say anything, you should
know that my three friends and I are Guardsmen. Think
you still want to share it?” “The Barman smirked in disbelief
and said,
"What, and have to explain it four times?"
MILITARY HUMOUR
Husband takes his wife to a disco. There's a
guy on the dance floor giving it large -
Break Dancing, Moonwalking, Backflips,
the works, the wife turns to her husband
and says"see that guy? twenty five years ago
he proposed to me and I turned him down.
Husband says,
"looks like he's still celebrating"
Two soldiers are walking down the
street when one of them spots a dog
licking himself. One soldier says to the
other, “man, I wish I could do that.” To
which the other soldier replies, “no,
you better not. That dog might bite
you!”
How do you know
when your date
with a RAF pilot is
halfway over? He says, “Enough about
me. Want to hear about my plane?”
Three soldiers are in a public
bathroom... An American soldier steps
away from the urinal, turns on the water,
uses five or six pumps of soap to wash
his hands and takes a big wad of paper
towels to dry them. He says to the
others, "in the US Army, we are taught
to use what we have to to get the job
done".
A German soldier backs away from the
urinal, washes his hands using minimal
water, a single drop of soap, takes one
paper towel and methodically dries
every square millimeter of his hands. He
says, "in the Bundeswehr, we are taught
to be thorough and efficient".
The British soldier steps away from the
urinal and walks out saying, "in the
British Army, we are taught to not piss
on our hands.
Army v Navy rugby at Twickenham the
only day that Marines will admit that
they are NAVY.
26

Alicante Branch
Royal British
Legion
100th Anniversary
Poppy Ball
The Alicante Branch of the Royal British Legion
are holding their 100th Anniversary Poppy Ball
on Sunday the 17th of October. The Ball which
will be held at Caseta Nova near Ibi as part of
their Poppy Appeal Launch (PAL) 2021. The Ball
is open to all Legion Members, their guests and
members of the community.
Pre-Dinner Drinks/Photos
18:30 – 19:15 hours
Three Course Meal, Wine, Beer or Soft Drink included
during the meal and a glass of Cava on arrival
19:30 – 21:00 hours
Entertainment & Grand Raffle
21:00 – 23:59
Dress Code
Gentlemen - Black Tie/Dinner Suit
Ladies – Ball Gown/Cocktail/Dress Trousers
Miniature Medals may be worn
Serving Members – Mess Dress
€25 Branch Member pp
€30 Guests pp
Performance by The Royal British Legion
Concert Band during Pre - Dinner Drinks
Evening Entertainment by Kim Peters
Female Vocalist
Bookings now being
taken
For Further Details please
contact
Hamish McConnachie at
Alicante.Web@rbl.community

The Sodger's Return
Robert Burns 1793 (Extract)
When wild war's deadly blast was blawn,
And gentle peace returning,
With many a sweet babe fatherless,
And many a widow mourning;
I left the lines and tented field,
Where long I'd been a lodger,
My humble knapsack all my wealth,
A poor and honest sodger.
A leal, light heart was in my breast,
My hand unstain'd wi' plunder;
And for fair Scotia home again,
I cheery on did wander:
I thought upon the banks o' Coil,
I thought upon my Nancy,
I thought upon the witching smile
That caught my youthful fancy.
At length I reach'd the bonie glen,
Where early life I sported;
I pass'd the mill and trysting thorn,
Where Nancy aft I courted:
When spied I but my own dear maid,
Down by her mother's dwelling!
And turn'd me round to hide the flood
That in my eyes was swelling.
Wi' altered voice, quoth I, "Sweet lass,
Sweet as yon hawthorn's blossom,
O! happy, happy may he be,
That's dearest to thy bosom:
My purse is light, I've far to gang,
And fain would be thy lodger;
I've serv'd my king and country lang-
Take pity on a sodger."
Poets Corner
It's Your Legion
Are you an active member
The kind that would be missed
Or are you just contented
That your name is on the list?
Do you attend the meetings
And mingle with the crowd
Or do you stay at home
And grumble long and loud?
Do you ever go and visit
A member who is sick
Or leave the work to just a few
And talk about the clique?
Come to the Legion more often
And come with hand and heart
Don't just be a member
But take an active part.
Think this over members
you know the right from wrong
Are you an active member
Or do you just belong?
Cde. Tom Kennedy
Deceased 2001 Age 83
I'm Cold and I'm Hungry
I’m cold, and I’m hungry,
I’m stealing food from a bin.
And I’m fighting, my last battle,
That I know I can’t win.
My home, a shop doorway,
I share with ladies of sin.
My bed, is hard concrete,
My pillow, a cider or gin.
But I remember those far-off days,
As days that were brimful with pride.
With my regiment serving in Germany,
And friends who would fight by my side.
We shared a thousand adventures.
We joked and laughed ‘til we cried.
After 22 years, we parted our ways,
And I’ve heard that so many have died.
I sit, and I wonder,
How did my downfall begin?
Was it fate, or my blunder,
Or just the shade of my skin?
How much longer, can I take it?
My tolerance is growing quite thin.
Then I’ll be, with my comrades,
If the angels will let us all in.
Clive Sanders
When You See a Soldier
By Kelly Roper
When you see a soldier
Be sure to shake his or her hand,
And let that soldier know you're grateful
For the protection of our land.
But most of all, express your thanks
For every soldier's personal sacrifice.
In order to serve our country,
They risked their entire lives.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night. Do not
stand at my grave and cry, I am not there;
I did not die.
Unknown
36

We Support
The Royal British Legion
A big thank you to these
business who have
contributed prizes for
the Grand Raffle at the
100th Anniversary
Poppy Ball
Castalla
International

The Alicante Branch
of the
Royal British Legion
"Service not Self "
Visit our website at
http://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/alicante