Legion must demonstrate its good work

Sir, – Alastair W McLean’s letter (Local Legion must support Remembrance, Courier, December 19) is both timely and pertinent as 2020 will mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Royal British Legion Scotland is indeed the guardian organisation for the Act of Remembrance here in Scotland.

But in order to ensure that we can continue to fulfil that obligation in years to come we need to act now to guarantee our membership numbers.

At the National Executive level, we realise that we have no right to demand or expect that ex-members of the military, emergency services or members of the public should join their local Legion branch unless we can demonstrate the benefits of that membership.

In the – admittedly limited – studies that I have done there seems to be a correlation between successful branches and those that have a high profile within the community.

Last month we had circa 1,000 people in Carnoustie – out of a population of 13,000 observing Remembrance at the two services that we have in the town and I have just welcomed 19 new members into Carnoustie Legion.

I submit that some of these people are attracted to supporting and joining RBLS because they see the good work that Carnoustie Legion is doing in the community with our foodBank, beauty bank and the support that we provide to other local charities and organisations and they want to be a part of.

The spin-off benefit to members is the engendering of a

“feelgood” factor.

Some are using their talents from the military or emergency services to plan and organise these activities in what they see as contributing again as a force for good in society.

I am minded of the Legion motto – Service Not Self – and the national executive is determined that this should underpin all that Legion Scotland does. Davie Paton. Group Captain OBE RAF (Retd), Chair, Carnoustie Legion and National Vice Chair, Royal British Legion Scotland.

referendum on a matter such as this.

The Scotland Acts make no reference to the Scottish Government, having constitutional powers of this type.

Enough is enough!

Robert I G Scott. Northfield, Ceres, Fife.