Prior to 1921 the Legion did not exist.  Ex-service associations were formed to help the men returning from France in 1919/20 in poor health and with paltry pensions.  This resulted in the formation of one body to act for all ex-service people.  The Legion was formed in 1921 and granted a Royal Charter by King George V.  In 1971 King George VI conferred the prefix ‘Royal’.

 At a meeting of the Cricklade ex-Servicemen's Association in The King's Head on 27^th November 1924 it was agreed to form a Branch of the British Legion.  The following officers were elected: Major Dalmage, Captain Davey, Doctor Lewarne and TH Lakin.  Meetings were held in The King's Head and The Vale up to WWII and then after the war mainly in The Bear, White Lion, Red Lion and White Hart.

 On 20^th June 1927 a Cricklade Women's Branch of the Legion was formed with Mrs E Kilminster as chairperson and Mrs W James as Hon Sec.  They had 12 members at first and had their own Standard.  The Ladies section closed in 1988 and their Standard was laid up in St Sampson's.  Eight members transferred to the men's section.

 ln 1986 the Branch was renamed Cricklade & District Branch when the Ashton Keynes Branch closed.  Over the past 99 years Cricklade's annual membership has fluctuated from 20 to 90 and is currently just over 50.

 The annual poppy appeal and Remembrance activities are when the Legion is most active and local people are reminded about the debt we owe to the armed forces in general and the fallen in particular. The wreath laying ceremony at the War Memorial and Remembrance Service in St Sampson's followed by a short service and wreath laying at the Blakehill cairns continue to be well supported by the people of Cricklade and surrounding districts.

 The town war memorial is made from Cornish silver grey granite.  It was dedicated on 27^th September 1925.  It was refurbished and re-dedicated on 28^th June 2008 by Rev'd Judy Ashby, the then vicar of St Sampson's.  The cairns at Purley farmhouse (ex RAF Blakehill Farm} were dedicated as follows: one cairn to 437 sqn RCAF on 25^th Sept 1994 and the second cairn to 233 Sqn RAF; WAAF Air Ambulance Nurses; and 14 Flt ‘F’ Sqn Glider Pilot Regt on 25^th April 2004.