Time to support Poppy Appeal

CIVILIANS, veterans and service personnel are preparing to mourn the country’s fallen soldiers and raise money for military charities in Cheltenham,

The Royal British Legion (RBL) will be selling poppies outside of Regent Arcade as part of their Poppy Appeal from now through to Sunday, November 14.,

The Poppy Appeal – which has raised more than £630,000 in the last seven years – goes towards providing support for serving military personnel and veterans, as well as their families, to help with crises and returning to civilian life.

There will be three major events over the two-week period to mark the 100th year of commemoration, as the RBL have been running the Poppy Appeal since November 11, 1921.

The first event is the Field of Remembrance being held at the Cheltenham War Memorial on the Promenade.

The field will be in place until November 18, with the field’s dedication taking place November 4 at 11.50am. Residents are encouraged to place a small wooden square in the field in memory of their loved ones.

Another service will take place at the war memorial to mark Armistice Day, November 11, to mark the two minutes’ silence at 11am. At the service, two new names will be added to the memorial of soldiers left off the original record – Corporal Francis Howard Pargeter, Royal Berkshire regiment and Labour Corps and Pioneer Joseph George Mitchell, Royal Engineers.

The final event is held on Remembrance Sunday, November 14. A full service of remembrance will take place from 10.45am with wreath laying, a parade, a march and the silver band.

Roy Roberts, chair of the Cheltenham branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “In the centenary year of the Royal British Legion, and also our local branch, we are honoured to play our part in commemorating those who have made the ultimate sacrifice over those many years and many conflicts, and continue to care for those who did come home and are still affected by their service.’’

Councillor Steve Harvey, Cheltenham’s mayor, added: “In this year, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Royal British Legion, it’s a time to reflect, respect and remember all those people who gave their lives for our freedom.”