Thanksgiving for 100 years of the Legion

A SERVICE of Thanksgiving to celebrate 100 years of the Royal British Legion service will be held in Derby Cathedral on September 19 at 2.30pm.

Eleven Derbyshire Branch Standards will be rededicate at the Service – the largest number of Standards celebrating their 100th birthday in England and Wales at the same time.

Amongst dignitaries attending will be the Lord Lieutenant Elizabeth Fothergill; the High Sheriff; The Bishop of Derby; The Vice Dean of Derby University and other civic leaders along with senior RBL members.

Accompanying the standards on parade will be the Union Standard, County Standard, Women’s Section Standard, The County Youth Standard and a host of Branch standards and those of the numerous Regimental and Veterans organisation from within the County.

The RBL is well represented in Derbyshire with more 45 branches from Swadlincote to the south to Hayfield and Glossop in the north.

With a membership of 3,000, local Legionnaires helped to raise £1,000,000-plus in 2019 during the annual Poppy Appeal.

These funds, with many other donations, allow the Legion in Derbyshire to assist serving personnel and veterans, with help ranging from enhancing individual mobility, creating better disabled access, providing funds for training and counseling for those who have fallen into debt, or are suffering from PTSD or fighting substance abuse.

Additionally, they provide a telephone buddy service to combat isolation and loneliness and branches up and down the county have branch community support officers who can bring immediate financial assistance to those with an urgent need.

The Legion is celebrating 100 years of service to the British military community, both serving and veterans and the majority of this good work is done by volunteers.

They give their time freely to assist others, staying true to its motto: “Service not Self”.