The Ashton-under-Lyne branch of the RBL marked the 100th anniversary of the Royal British Legion at the weekend at the war memorial in Ashton.
The nationally cherished and internationally renowned organisation commemorated its 100th birthday on 15 May.
Sadly, due to the pandemic, a hoped for parade in London of more than 1,000 branch standards, the proud symbol of the Legion in the community, could not go ahead. Instead individual mini parades were carried out all over the country and across the world.
Scott Pringle, the Ashton Branch Chair, was the Standard Bearer as the commemoration at the war memorial was timed to fit with those many others and the national moment of respect at Whitehall.
He said: “It’s a great privilege to remember those who have fallen in the service of their country.
“But it’s also about those who have given their time and donations to keep this organisation as the flagship for work with ex-servicemen and women.”
Scott served 22 years in the Royal Corps of Signals.
He added. “The focus of this 100th birthday is of the charitable work which has supported so many, including families and dependants. Our branch meeting always updates on local welfare work and our priority to get help to the right place as soon as possible.”
The Royal British Legion came into being when Earl Haig, the former British Army Commander at the Western Front, helped to bring together four ex-servicemen’s organisations which had emerged towards the end or just after the First World War.
One hundred years on, the days when the RBL was mainly ex-servicemen are gone.
This peaked after the Second World War, when Legion clubs were commonplace and nipping down to the Legion for a pint and a chat was part of so many lives.
There are still clubs around, but things have changed and many RBL members are there because their relatives served or because they want to support one of our great national institutions.
Video and image by Nigel Wood
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