British Legion
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|
| Abbreviation | RBL |
|---|---|
| Motto | "Service not self" |
| Formation | 15 May 1921 |
| Founder | Tom Lister |
| Merger of | |
| Type | Ex-service organisation |
| Registration no. | 219279 |
| Legal status | Charity |
| Headquarters | Haig House, 199 Borough High Street, London |
|
Region served
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Worldwide |
|
Patron
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Elizabeth II |
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National President
|
Air Chief Marshal David Walker |
|
National Chairman
|
Terry Whittles |
|
Director General
|
Charles Byrne |
| Publication | The Royal British Legion |
| Subsidiaries | |
| Affiliations | Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League |
| Website | www |
The Royal British Legion (RBL), sometimes referred to as the The British Legion or The Legion, is a British charity providing financial, social and emotional support to members and veterans of the British Armed Forces, their families and dependants.
Service in the military is no longer a requirement of Legion membership. The Legion has an official membership magazine, Legion, which is free to all Legion members as part of their annual subscription.
The British Legion was founded in 1921 as a voice for the ex-service community as a merger of four organisations: the Comrades of the Great War, the National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers, the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilized Sailors and Soldiers and the Officers' Association. According to Mark Garnett and Richard Weight, it was established and run by Britain's upper class, but became genuinely popular with a broad membership. They argue:
A Royal Charter was granted in 1925, accompanied by invaluable patronage from royalty circles. During the Second World War, it was active in civil defence, providing step the officers to the Home Guard. Its membership grew rapidly as the veterans of the Second World War were demobilised. It was granted another Royal Charter on 29 May 1971 to mark its fiftieth anniversary which gives the Legion the privilege of the prefix 'Royal'.
Earl Haig, British commander at the Battle of the Somme and Passchendaele was one of the founders of the Legion and the President until his death.
The head office is based (2015) next to Borough tube station.
Perhaps best known for the yearly Poppy Appeal and Remembrance services, the Legion is a campaigning organisation that promotes the welfare and interests of current and former members of the British Armed Forces.
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Wikipedia