Members of the Thornbury and District branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) have marked the 100th anniversary of the organisation.

May 15, 1921 marked the formation of the RBL with the coming together of four separate charitable organisations.

The anniversary was marked with wreath laying ceremonies around the country. In Thornbury, a small contingent representing all three armed services laid a wreath at St. Mary’s Church to coincide with the nationwide ceremonies.

Present were Air Vice Marshall Simon Ellard (branch president), Rick Laing (Poppy Appeal organiser), Mick Mills (treasurer and standard bearer) and John Black (vice chairman and welfare officer).

Afterwards, members of the Thornbury branch manned a stall in the St Mary Centre, displaying militaria and Legion memorabilia and answering questions from passers-by about the Legion and its work supporting Forces veterans.

Marking the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Royal British Legion in Thornbury

Marking the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Royal British Legion in Thornbury

Shoppers donated more than £400 towards the Poppy Appeal which last year had to be curtailed as the country went back into lockdown.

Rick Laing, the local Poppy Appeal organiser, said: “We are incredibly impressed by the generosity of the public in supporting us and our work.

"Without them we could not continue to care for the thousands of veterans around the country who rely on us for support and welfare.

"We had to stop collecting for the Poppy Appeal last year after just nine days, and this had a major impact on our ability to raise funds, but the public were very generous and we still raised almost £17,500 which is amazing for a town the size of Thornbury."

You do not have to have served in the armed forces to join the Royal British Legion. 

The Thornbury branch's next coffee morning will be on Thursday, May 27 from 9.30am-11.30am in Hawkes House.

A second session is being launhced on Saturday,  May 29 from 9.30am-11.30am – in The Swan.