COULD BRITISH LEGION CASH HELP ‘ITS’ PATRIOT?

As a Patriot Club member for ten years or so, I was happy with the plan to have No. 45551 The Unknown Warrior steaming next year, leaving plenty of time for running-in before the big day in November 2018. I was disappointed to read in Down Main (SR458) that a slow accumulation of funds may prevent this. A ready solution lies in the hands of the British Legion. But it appears to be wallowing in the selfsatisfaction of endorsing the memorial locomotive, while actually doing little to help, financially. Individual branches will each have a group of members with a soft spot for steam. A circular from British Legion head office could explain No. 45551’s financial challenge. Just £1 from each of its members would transform the Patriot Club’s finances. Mike Simpson, by email