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RBL Branch Celebrates Centenary

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rbl branch centenary

by Tony Potter, Chairman, Royal British Legion
On the evening of Thursday 8 March 2018, the Curry Rivel, Drayton and Fivehead Branch of The Royal British Legion celebrated its centenary with a drinks party in the Old School Room.
One hundred years ago on Friday 8 March 1918, a meeting had been held in the same Old School Room, attended by ten former sailors and soldiers, all of whom had been discharged from the Royal Navy and the Army early because of their wounds. The meeting agreed to establish a 'Post of the Comrades of The Great War', which three years later was absorbed into the newly formed British Legion, later The Royal British Legion, making this Branch one of the oldest – if not the oldest – in the Legion.
The centenary drinks party was attended by the Royal British Legion Chairman for Somerset, Major Robert McDonald. He presented the Branch Chairman, Colonel Tony Potter, with a Certificate of Appreciation "in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Branch". He also read a message from the County President of The Royal British Legion, Bob Mansergh, in which he congratulated all members of the Branch, thanking them for their excellent work and continued success in their second century.
Other guests included descendants of the original founding committee. Mrs Jane Kwiakowski's grandfather, Major Maurice Cely Trevilian, had founded that first committee in 1918, having been badly gassed during the War. The first secretary was Harry Lang, whose grandson, Henry, was present at the centenary drinks. And a sprightly 101-year-old Mrs Gwyneth Langford was also present. Her father-in-law, William Langford, had been one of the original committee members.
The Branch is always looking for new members. Interested? Then phone the Membership Secretary, Gordon Balmer, on 01460 281578 or email mullcott@icloud.com

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