Royal British Legion
East Knoyle War Memorial
The Royal British Legion is the Custodian of Remembrance on behalf of the nation and also at the heart of a national network supporting the Armed Forces community. Each year the RBL spends more than £55 million providing rehabilition, welfare, housing, legal, educational and advisory services to current serving personel, veterans, their families and dependents. The RBL is alway there, through ‘thick and thin’, remembering the dead and supporting the living, thus ensuring their unique contribution is never forgotten.
The East Knoyle branch was incorporated in 1921, the same year as the main organisation was formed, so we have been ‘in’ from the very start. To this day, we continue to be a very active branch and enjoy tremendous support from the local community in our fund-raising efforts for the Poppy Appeal and Services of Remembrance.
Since 2017 our Branch has achieved the annual accolade of ‘The Most Efficient Small Branch in Wiltshire’ on five occasions. In 2015, our fund raising efforts for the Poppy Appeal achieved £10,000. In comparison, pre-audit figures for the 2024/25 appeal stand at £17,960 - an amazing total for a small village with an approximate population of 675.
Fulfilling the obligations of the RBL as the custodian of Remembrance on behalf of the nation is a core part of our Branch’s activity. The Remembrance Sunday service in St Mary’s Church is always full to capacity, Armistice Day is marked with a short service at the East Knoyle war memorial as are all significant anniversaries of conflicts in our nation’s history.
Branch meetings are held on the first Monday of every month at 6.30pm in the Benett Arms, Semley. We are a welcoming, socially active and convivial Branch with a programme of interesting visits, events and talks on a wide range of topics throughout the year. New members are always welcome. Just being a member supports the work of the RBL and you are free to participate as much, or when, other commitments allow.
If you are interested in joining, please contact our Chairman, Sir Nick Wright or Branch Secretary, Ron Clark, (830354) for more details.