THIS year, the Royal British Legion will celebrate its 100th anniversary. The first “Poppy Day” came out of the aftermath of the First World War when returning ex-Servicemen faced crisis-level unemployment rates and an economy in free-fall.

North America and France adopted the red Flanders poppy as a symbol of Remembrance, one of the few flowers to grow on the former battlefields.

The newly formed British Legion saw this as a fundraising potential and thousands of artificial poppies were sold on Armistice Day 1921.

With HM the Queen serving as patron since 1952, the charity was granted the right on its golden anniversary in 1971, to use “Royal” in its name.

The RBL is a British charity providing financial, social and emotional support to members and veterans of the British Armed Forces, their families and dependents.

It works with politicians and officials at all levels to represent their interests, provide recovery and rehabilitation support to current and ex-service personnel, funds the Battle Back Centre at Lilleshall (West Midlands).

It also provides employment grants, guidance on finances and tax, housing, independent living, support for carers and provides care homes and much more.

As with many Branches due to Covid-19 restrictions being in place there will not be any local celebrations on the Anniversary date of May 15.

Additionally, the number of Branch committee members have now diminished with the majority remaining being over 70 or even 90 years young.

However, a limited number of Century Commemorative badges will be available sometime soon, further details to follow.

Jane Sansom

Poppy Appeal Organiser