Fleet, Crookham & District Branch of The Royal British Legion
Remembrance 2024
The Royal British Legion is recognised as the national custodian of Remembrance. Remembrance Sunday, the second Sunday in November, is the day traditionally put aside to remember all those who have given their lives for the peace and freedom we enjoy today.
Every year the Fleet, Crookham & District Branch holds a full programme of commemorative events. The 2024 programme is as follows:
Remembrance Sunday - Sunday 10th November
10.45am Act of Remembrance and wreath laying at The War Memorial, Gally Hill Road, Church Crookham.
11.00am Two Minutes Silence at The War Memorial, Gurkha Square, Fleet.
2.30pm Service of Remembrance at All Saints Church, Church Road, Fleet, followed by Parade.
3.20pm Parade from Church Road Car Park to Gurkha Square, Fleet. Music by Sandhurst & District Corps of Drums. Taking the salute will be Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire, Tim Wheale TD DL FRICS.
Followed By Act of Remembrance and wreath laying at The War Memorial, Gurkha Square, Fleet. Music by RBL Farnborough Concert Band and choirs.
Afterwards refreshments will be served in The Harlington by Fleet Town Council.
Armistice Day - Monday 11th November
11.00am Two Minutes Silence at The War Memorial, Gally Hill Road, Church Crookham.
11.00am Two Minutes Silence at The War Memorial, Gurkha Square, Fleet.
Past Events
The British Partisan: Capture, Imprisonment and Escape in Wartime Italy
Presentation by author Brigadier David Ross - 2nd October 2024
An exciting, evocative memoir of combat in North Africa, danger behind enemy lines, and two daring escapes. In this action-packed account, a Welch Regiment officer describes his remarkable Second World War experiences. These include his baptism by fire in the Western Desert against Rommel’s armour in 1942; the spontaneous help of nomad Arabs when he was on the run for ten days behind enemy lines; and his capture and life as a POW in Italy.
Poppy Appeal Collector Awards - 29th June 2024
Every year we mark Armed Forces Day by thanking Poppy Appeal collectors for their long service collecting for The Poppy Appeal. It was a proud day as certificates and awards were presented to 28 collectors. Awards were presented by Rt Hon Ranil Jayawardena.
During 2023-24, the Fleet, Crookham & District Branch collected a record breaking £78,000+.
Thank You all.
Also on 29th June, the Branch was thrilled to receive a cheque for £150 from the Fleet Lions Club.
Lions President Laura Roberts presented the cheque to Poppy Appeal Organiser, Air Cdre Bill Tyack.
D-Day 80th Anniversary
Act of Remembrance -Thursday 6th June, 11am
The Royal British Legion is deeply saddened to announce the death of our National President
Sir Clive Johnstone (Rtd) KBE, CB.
Sir Clive died on Sunday 12th May, shortly after the end of the RBL’s Annual Conference that had been taking place in Newport, Wales.
Sir Clive Johnstone assumed his role as the National President of the Royal British Legion in May 2023, taking over from Lieutenant General James Bashall CB, CBE. He came from a family who served in the Royal Navy and British Army over many generations and served in the Royal Navy from 1985 to 2019.
In his short time as RBL National President, Sir Clive made a huge impact, and his loss will be felt across the charity and the Armed Forces community.
Sir Clive was also a member of the Fleet, Crookham & District Branch. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Alison, and their two daughters, Phoebe and Emily.
Annual Quiz Night - Saturday 16th March
The Key, Elvetham Heath, Fleet, GU51 1HA
Poppy Appeal Collector Awards - 24th June 2023
A proud day as certificates and awards were presented to 41 Poppy Appeal collectors, families, local groups and clubs for their long service collecting for The Poppy Appeal. During 2022, the Fleet, Crookham & District branch collected a record breaking £75,000+. Awards were presented by NE Hampshire MP, Rt Hon Ranil Jayawardena.
The lunchtime raffle raised a huge £691 for The Poppy Appeal and Branch Funds, our thanks to raffle
organisers Pam & Lee Gorman and all the local businesses who donated generous prizes and branch members for their great gifts too. Our thanks to Judy & Bill Tyack for once again hosting the awards and lunch - a highlight of the year.
Fleet's Coronation Parade, 7th May 2023
Fleet celebrated the coronation of HM King Charles III with the town's largest parade for many years. In fine spring weather and preceded by a 100 classic cars, the parade made its way along a packed Fleet Road from Church Road car park to conclusion in Calthorpe Park.
Headed by the Sandhurst & District Corps of Drums and Army Cadets of 4 (Fleet & Crookham) Troop, the RBL Veterans Contingent was followed by Air Cadets of 2407 (Yateley & Eversley) Squadron. Also parading were many of the district's Scout and Guide groups and other voluntary groups.
It was the first outing for the Branch's new ceremonial Union Flag, purchased to commemorate the King's coronation. The flag will be paraded with the Branch Standard at Remembrance and other civic occasions.
Special thanks to Major David Millen (RBL Member), who once again as Parade Marshall organised a superb parade.
In Calthorpe Park the parade was welcomed by Chairman of Fleet Town Council, Cllr Bob Schofield and the salute was taken by Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire, Major Mani Rai. Three Cheers for His Majesty!
Coronation Quiz Night, 22nd April 2023
A sell-out again. Thanks to all 16 teams (117 quizzers) who competed at our Kings & Queens themed quiz night at The Key, Elvetham Heath. The evening raised a huge £1,600, to be divided equally between The Poppy Appeal and Branch Funds. Thanks to our friends and neighbours Yateley & Hawley Branch RBL for bringing along two teams.
Special thanks to the King of Quizmasters - Mike G for 8 superb rounds of nonsense and keeping control.
Change of Branch Chairmanship - Farewell Bill Tyack & Welcome Simon Gornall
At the Branch AGM on 6 December 2021, Air Commodore Bill Tyack CBE stood down as Chairman after 15 years of successful Branch leadership and Simon Gornall accepted the Badge of Office.
Since November 2006, Bill’s experience, wise knowledge and effective management touched and improved every aspect of the Branch. Bill has promoted and increased membership, comradeship and events, organized The Poppy Appeal and fund-raising, along with Remembrance and BCS.
On 27 November 2006, Bill became Chairman and Secretary with little or no handover, during a period of Branch decline and low morale after the Club closure. His steady recruitment of effective new members was recognized by Hampshire County RBL with the award of the Foley Cup in January 2018.
Bill Tyack’s drive to promote The Poppy Appeal and recruitment of Poppy Appeal collectors has been demonstrated by ever growing total amounts; in 2021 a Branch record of £59,600+ was collected. His (and Judy Tyack’s) commitment to The Poppy Appeal is demonstrated by him continuing as Poppy Appeal Organiser and their home, Roughwood House remaining Poppy Appeal HQ.
Bill has driven the Branch’s outreach to others in Fleet and Crookham. Most notably, a strong relationship with 3 Royal School Military Engineering (Royal Engineers) at Gibraltar Barracks, Minley who now lead the reprised Remembrance Sunday parade through Fleet. In addition, 4(Fleet & Crookham) Troop and 8(Gibraltar Barracks) Troop, Army Cadet Force are now affiliated to the Branch. The recently established Crookham and Fleet Mens’ Shed are now firm friends of the Branch helping manufacture full-size Tommy’s for Remembrance and other initiatives.
Branch Chairman Simon Gornall and your Branch committee are looking forward to getting back to normal in 2022 and seeing you at our monthly and ad-hoc Branch events, All Welcome!
Bill Tyack & Simon Gornall Certificate of Appreciation from Tim Russell, RBL Hampshire County
About the Fleet, Crookham & District Branch
The Branch was formed on 24th June 1921. Though we no longer have a clubhouse we are a busy and growing branch. Members and supporters regularly get together for social and fundraising events. Socially we meet three times a month:
- Pub Night every, first Thursday of the month at The Tweseldown, Beacon Hill Road, Church Crookham
- Veterans' Breakfast, second Saturday of the month at The Prince Arthur, Fleet Road, Fleet
- ‘Seniors’ pub lunch, third Thursday of the month at The Fox & Hounds, Crookham Road, Fleet
All members and supporters are welcome, you do not have to be a member to attend.
About The Royal British Legion
We provide financial, social and emotional care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces - past and present and their families. The Legion is also the national Custodian of Remembrance and safeguards the Military Covenant between the nation and its Armed Forces and is best known for the annual Poppy Appeal and its emblem the red poppy.
Founded in 1921, the Legion is not just about those who fought in the two World Wars of the last century, but also about those involved in the many conflicts since 1945 and those still fighting for the freedom we enjoy today.
Membership is open to everyone. If you have an interest in the objectives of the Legion and want to help and support for those who have served and their families, come and join us. We welcome men and women of all ages, whether they have served in the Armed Forces or not.
