Welcome to the Royal British Legion Dungannon/Moy Branch History webpage
By the time the First World War ended in 1918 six million people had answered the call to serve their country. Three quarters of a million did not return. The land fit for heroes promised by Lloyd George did not materialise. The country was bankrupt and there was no Welfare State. Millions who had served now battled against poverty, unemployment and homelessness. One and three quarter million of those who returned had a disability of some kind. Thousands suffered from shell shock and many war widows faced destitution. Field Marshal Earl Haig who is reguarded as our founder was enraged and tried to put pressure on the Government to make adequate provisions for those who had served. Lance Bombardier Tom Lister also took up the challenge raising funds to buy tables and beds. He convinced Landlords to let their dilapidated buildings to ex-Service personnel and war widows on the condition that he would see to the repairs. He persuaded Burtons to supply suits for men to attend interviews. Tom also organised men into groups and requisitioned old drill halls to be used as soup kitchens. Earl Haig then persuaded the leaders of these groups and other associations to come together and discuss the issue of consolidation. At the resulting Unity Conference held at Queens Hall on Saturday 14 May 1921 seven hundred delegates attended. Forty nine different names for a new organisation were suggested but after a vote the British Legion was decided on. This Charity was granted the Royal Charter by George V in 1925.
War Memorial in Dungannon Square 1922
Unvailing of the Dungannon War Memorial carried out by:
Lady Ranfurly in November 1922.
Unvailing of the Dungannon War Memorial carried out by Lady Ranfurly in November 1922.
Armistice Day at Dungannon War Memorial 11th November 1925
War Memorial Moy
War Memorial Moy
The President of the Moy Branch was Capt Green
Moy War Memorial 2018
A Drumhead Service and Rededication of Dungannon War Memorial on 1st July 2014
| YEAR |
TYPE OF EVENT |
| 14th May 1921 |
The British Legion was formed on Saturday 14th May 1921 |
| 11th Nov 1922 |
Unvailing of the Dungannon War Memorial by Lady Ranfurly(See photographs) |
| 1st Jan 1925 |
The British Legion Dungannon Branch first opened. |
| 11th Nov 1925 |
Armistice Day in Dungannon (see photograph) |
| 28th Oct 1972 |
The name of the British Legion changed to become the Royal British Legion. |
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The Royal British Legion Dungannon Branch became the Royal British Legion Dungannon/Moy Branch |
| 1st July 1975 |
The Dedication of Dungannon/Moy Branch and Women's Section Standards was held at a Drumhead Service at the War Memorial. |
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| 1st July 2014 |
Drumhead Service and Rededication of the War Memorial in Market Square Dungannon (See Photograph).
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