Almost all UK cities and villages have a 'legion'. Taking the form of a licensed social club, the Royal British Legion, to give it its full name is Britain’s leading charity for armed force members and veterans.
The Royal British Legion was formed in 1921 just after the First World War. The new organisation was actually the merger of four existing societies for servicemen, namely the "Comrades of the Great War", the "National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers", the "National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers" and the "Officers' Association". For the next 50 years it was simply known as the British Legion and gained the Royal prefix in 1971 to mark 50 years of service.
Among its many duties, the Royal British Legion is most recognised for its involvement in the annual Poppy Appeal and Remembrance services. Each year for Remembrance Day, the Legion organises a fund-raising drive in which artificial poppies are offered to the public in return for donations. These poppies are made by disabled veterans who thus gain employment and income.
But the Legion is also very active behind the scenes where it campaigns to promote the interests and welfare of its members. For example, the Legion work to get War Disablement Pension cases for war veterans totalling well over 30000 each year. They also carry out welfare and friendship visits to aged and disabled members.
The Royal British Legion was formed in 1921 just after the First World War. The new organisation was actually the merger of four existing societies for servicemen, namely the "Comrades of the Great War", the "National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers", the "National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers" and the "Officers' Association". For the next 50 years it was simply known as the British Legion and gained the Royal prefix in 1971 to mark 50 years of service.
Among its many duties, the Royal British Legion is most recognised for its involvement in the annual Poppy Appeal and Remembrance services. Each year for Remembrance Day, the Legion organises a fund-raising drive in which artificial poppies are offered to the public in return for donations. These poppies are made by disabled veterans who thus gain employment and income.
But the Legion is also very active behind the scenes where it campaigns to promote the interests and welfare of its members. For example, the Legion work to get War Disablement Pension cases for war veterans totalling well over 30000 each year. They also carry out welfare and friendship visits to aged and disabled members.