Performer Focus – The Royal British Legion

The Royal British Legion Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland officially celebrate their centenary this year having been formally recognized by the National RBL movement. Up to this point, the Northern Ireland Branches had been an autonomous section, but decided to strengthen the British Legion movement, by fully integrating and becoming an area within the British Legion as in England and Wales. Prior to this many branches had already been formed and operating in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

In 1925 a Royal Charter was granted making the British Legion the National Custodians of Remembrance following World War One. The British Legion became the Royal British Legion in 1971, on the occasion of it’s 50th anniversary. The Royal British Legion continues in its primary role of welfare for veterans with funds raised by the Poppy Appeal. This year is the 80 th Anniversary of the ending of World War Two.

We pay homage to the Allied Forces who died in the war and celebrate all those who survived. We must remember that this was the most brutal war in history with between 70 -80 million people being killed worldwide. There are very few veterans left from this period and this will be the last major anniversary of their role in defeating Nazi Germany. We must remember the British and Irish volunteers in the three main military services who gave their lives in order to make Europe stable again. We also must remember those who were killed by Nazi bombing during the war period in Belfast. To the few survivors and the many who gave their lives, we give our grateful thanks.