Your Legion Standard 2012

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Full Military Funeral with 6 x Standard Bearers escorted and a 6-man Rifle-squad Salute.

A genuine hero that Britain can be proud of: Tributes to young officer, 24, killed by a Taliban bomb

Lieutenant Daniel Clack has been killed by an explosive device in Helmand Province

By the age of 24, Daniel Clack had achieved more than most people do in a lifetime. Engaged to be married to his university sweetheart, the graduate was a serving officer in the British Army.

Despite his youth, he was entrusted with the lives of his men on the dusty battlefield of Afghanistan.

But last week - as thousands of his generation were arrested and dragged through the courts for taking part in a mindless orgy of rioting, looting and arson in Britain - Lieutenant Clack made the ultimate sacrifice.

The soldier was killed by an improvised explosive device, suspected to have been planted by the Taliban, as he led a ten-man patrol into the insurgents' heartland of Helmand Province. Five comrades were injured.

In a sad twist, his fiancee Amy Tinley, also 24, works as Defence Secretary Liam Fox's Parliamentary assistant in the Commons.

Lieutenant Clack, of 1st Battalion The Rifles (1 Rifles), had been due to fly home from the war zone for ten days' rest and recuperation on August 25.

His family and fiancee were excitedly awaiting his return.

Last night his fiancee and his devastated family - mother Sue, father Martin and brother James, 21 - led the tributes.

In a statement, they said: 'Dan was a brave rifleman and he died doing the only profession he ever considered. He loved leading his riflemen and was so proud to be an officer in the British Army. There are no words to describe our loss. He will be forever missed by his mother, father, brother, fiancee and all those who knew him. He will always be in our hearts.'

Lieutenant Clack, whose family live in Woodford Green, North-East London, asked Miss Tinley to marry him before he deployed to Afghanistan. They met at Exeter University and he 'absolutely adored' her.

Lieutenant Clack had been engaged to marry university sweetheart Amy Tinley

The British soldier was leading a ten-man patrol to a neighbouring village in Helmand Province when he was killed

Lieutenant Colonel James de Labilliere, commanding officer of 1 Rifles, said: 'His parting has come too soon, by far.'

And former Army officer Patrick Mercer, a Tory MP, said: 'The Armed Forces represent the best and bravest of Britain's youth. The death of Daniel Clack contrasts starkly with the despicable behaviour of people of his own age in the recent riots.

Some 150 yards from Lt Clack's base his patrol was struck by an improvised explosive device, killing him and injuring five others

'Thank goodness we have good people like Lieutenant Clack to defend us and we don't have to rely on those who think nothing of wrecking the country.'

A keen skier and rugby player, Lieutenant Clack worked as a driver for a ski chalet company in Switzerland after graduating. He joined the Army in May 2009 and left Sandhurst, the officers' training school, 11 months later.

He deployed to Afghanistan in April as commander of 8 Platoon C Company, who were based at Checkpoint Shaparack in the district of Nahr-e-Saraj.

He had led his men through a 'difficult tour and a difficult week' after comrades had been injured by a booby-trap bomb.

On Friday he was leading a patrol to the neighbouring village of Dactran to discuss a 'shura', or meeting of elders, planned for the next day, when he was killed by an IED. The roadside bomb detonated just 150 yards from the gate of their base.

The Taliban often plant IEDs close to British bases to murder and maim. Because some of the homemade bombs have little metal content they can be difficult to detect.

Lieutenant Clack was described by military chiefs as a 'man of great empathy, loyalty, integrity, and driven by the right thing'. Lieutenant Colonel de Labilliere said he had 'demonstrated a courage and bravery that was profound and inspiring'.

He added: 'His men quite evidently adored him and they showed him a loyalty and respect in a way that is reserved for only the very few and the very best.'

Major Bill Eden, Officer Commanding C Company, 1 Rifles, said: 'Strong, resilient and robust, he was also a most affable and genial gentleman who brought out the best in all. None met him whose lives were not touched by his warmth and passion.'

Dr Fox, who employed Miss Tinley to run his office in March while she did a part-time Masters degree in war studies at King's College London, said: 'He not only made the ultimate sacrifice doing a job he loved, but he did so serving his country.'

A total of 379 British troops have died in Afghanistan began in 2001.

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Tearful Liam Fox attends funeral of

lieutenant Daniel J Clack

Tearful: Defence Secretary Liam Fox wept at the funeral for Lieutenant Daniel Clack, which took place at the St Paul's Church in Woodford Green, Essex

Defence Secretary Liam Fox wept at the funeral for Lieutenant Daniel Clack, which took place at the St Paul's Church in Woodford Green, Essex

He was hailed by his family and friends as 'our very own action man' and yesterday fallen soldier Daniel Clack was given a hero's send-off.

Hundreds of mourners, including sombre and red-eyed Defence Secretary Liam Fox, attended the funeral for the 24-year-old officer who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan earlier this month.

Lieutenant Clack, described as 'the heart and soul of his battalion' by his commanding officer, had been leading a patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province when the device exploded.

In a sign of his popularity, the congregation of about 400 was too large to fit into St Paul's Church near his home in Woodford Green, north-east London.

Many had to stand in the grounds and listen to the service over loudspeakers.

Around 150 of his comrades from Gloucestershire-based 1st Battalion The Rifles (1 Rifles) were present.

Other friends had travelled from as far afield as Australia.

Lt Clack's death affected Dr Fox personally because fiancee Amy Tinley, also 24, works in the minister's office in the Commons.

She walked into church with Lt Clack's brother James, his mother Sue and father Martin.

Delivering a eulogy Lieutenant Colonel James de Labilliere, Commanding Officer 1 Rifles, said Lt Clack was 'engaged in the war of our generation, one he was so proud to be part of' and conducted himself with 'complete integrity'.

Lieutenant Clack's fiancee Amy Tinley clutched her brother James's hand as she follows his coffin out of the church following the funeral

Amy Tinley arrives at the church for the funeral service

Tears: Amy Tinley wipes a tear away with a finger

Amy Tinley arrives at the funeral service where she waited alongside the soldier's mother Sue and hundreds of other mourners

The Last Post was sounded as the coffin left the church on the shoulders of members of the Lieutenant Clack's regiment, before a rifle salute was fired

Praising his bravery, his family said: 'He was a leader in every aspect of his life.'

University friend Alex Lawrence said he was 'a brilliant friend, funny, extremely kind, fiercely loyal, annoyingly handsome and nearly always unflappable'.

'Ultimate good lad': Daniel Clack was killed by a bomb in Afghanistan as he led a patrol in Helmand province on August 12

Reverend Ivan Moore, chaplain at Bancroft's School where Lt Clack was a pupil, said: 'Hearts are overflowing with pride, not just because he was a hero but because he was our hero.'

Standard-bearers from the Royal British Legion lined the church path, and a display of white chrysanthemums in front of his coffin spelled the word 'Boss', Lt Clack's nickname among his comrades.

A handwritten tribute said: 'It has been an honour and a privilege to serve under and alongside you and to call you Sir.

'We never wanted to say goodbye so it's just farewell until we meet again and laugh at the memories we have shared together over the past year. Stand down and sleep easy, Sir.'

Lt Col de Labilliere went on to say: 'The Rifles has been denied one of our best. Lt Dan Clack will never be forgotten. Our memories of him will forever be cherished.'

Lieutenant Clack was privately educated at the Bancroft's school in Woodford Green.

Reverend Ivan Moore said: 'The sheer number of people here and at Wootton Bassett and the presence of dignitaries and so many who know and love

'Dan and all the tributes to him are such a testimony of the impact he had.

'He was a lively character in the best positive sense. He was a likeable, gregarious and good-humoured young man and he had a great sense of humour.'

Family and friends also read eulogies, with his younger cousin, Adam Clack, describing him as 'Boss to his men but Army Dan to us'.

The congregation were told that the soldier's 'regimental uniform' consisted of chinos, a Ralph Lauren shirt and boat shoes, and whose weapon of choice was a cold beer, he said.

'He was a leader in every aspect of his life,' he told the mourners. 'We can't begin to explain the hole that's been left in our family by the loss of Dan. Every time we gather around the piano to sing, he'll be there with us.

'Dan, we'll always love you and always miss you. You'll always be in our hearts.'

When the coffin arrived at the church, the strains of Amazing Grace were played, leaving many dabbing their eyes

The Last Post was sounded while the standard bearers lowered their flags.

Riflemen fired two shots each before the crowd of mourners and locals who had come to show their support broke out in a round of applause.

Lt Clack was the 379th British serviceman to have died since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001.

His death was in stark contrast to the thousands of his generation who that week were taking part in a mindless orgy of looting and arson across England.

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Ex-Serving Members are entitled to their Standard at their Funeral or Cremation if requested.

For the Fallen

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

The Royal British Legion has also adopted the Kohima Epitaph, from the Kohima War Memorial. It was composed by Major John Etty-Leal.

Kohima Epitaph

When you go home
Tell them of us and say
For your tomorrow
We gave our today

Both the Exhortation and the Kohima Epitaph are recited at every gathering of Legion People.

The Royal British Legion has a long established motto, which applies to Legion Members today as it did when it was first adopted. The motto is:

'SERVICE NOT SELF'

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Royal British Legion

image provided by Bob Rankin, 10 July 2006

Source: http://www.britishlegion-northstaffs.org.uk/royal_british_legion_standard.htm

See also:

Royal British Legion Standard

The British Legion was formed in 1921 and adopted the branch standard shortly afterwards. In 1971, when granted the title 'Royal', the Legion asked the College of Arms if they might add a crown to their badge. It was not usual for the title 'Royal' to confer the right to a crown badge, but it was approved by the Queen on 27 September 1971 in view of the fact that the Royal Canadian Legion already had a crown badge. It was noted in correspondence on the matter that technically the Standard was a Blue Ensign and had been adopted without authority. The Deputy Under Secretary of State (Navy) wrote that after half a century of use the Navy had no objection to the Standard and that the addition of a crown was a matter for the Home Office. The design of the badge, for use on the Legion's stationery, Standard and as a lapel badge was approved by the Queen 6 July 1972. Public Record Office HO 290/46.

I imagine that there may still be some Branch Standards that have not been replaced since 'Royal' was added to the name. The National Standard has a badge, but most Branch Standards do not seem to have the badge, which probably adds considerably to the cost.
David Prothero, 12 November 2002

The official website of the Royal British legion Scotland (http://www.rblscotland.org.uk/) shows a standard with the name "the Royal British legion Scotland" in full so the local branches might have it too instead of simply "British Legion". If you look at a picture from a RBL parade in Scarborough at http://www.rbl-osnabrueck.org/images/photos/parade1.jpg you will notice that on at least some of the standards, the inscription seem to include "the royal". On the other hand, it might simply be that the image we shown above is wrong and all branches (Scottish or not) have it.
Marc Pasquin, 30 May 2004

The British Legion was established in 1921 out of amalgamating 4 other ex-service organisations. However The Standard was designed by Colonel E C Health the First General Secretary in 1923, see our page by link at http://www.britishlegion-northstaffs.org.uk/royal_british_legion_standard.htm. The blue indicates loyalty and fidelity and the gold signifies service - "as gold is tried by fire" - and reminds us of all those who gave their lives for our country.
Bob Rankin, 10 July 2006

The Standard was adopted, without authority, in 1921. This was stated in a letter dated 20 March 1972 from Sir Anthony Wagner, Garter, King of Arms, to MoD(Navy). It would therefore appear that the unauthorised Standard of 1921 was submitted to the College of Arms by the General Secretary of the British Legion, and properly authorised in 1923.
David Prothero, 11 July 2006

by Marcus Schmöger

The British Legion is an organisation of British military veterans; see their website (and some of the branches' websites including images of their standards) at www.britishlegion.org.uk The standards are obviously of a standardized design: three horizontal stripes of blue, yellow and blue; in the canton the Union Jack; in the central yellow stripe the blue inscription "British Legion" and the blue inscription of the respective branch name; around the standard a yellow fringe. These two standards were seen in Hexham Abbey: The one of the "Hexham Branch" and the one of "Northumberland County".
Marcus Schmöger, 25 September 2001

These examples show sample flags of the pre-Royal Legion. A recent visit to north Cornwall took me to Boscastle Church where there are two standards of the local branch of the Legion - an old one, presumably laid up in the Church, with the inscription "British Legion", and a new one - either now laid up or kept there when not in use - with the inscription "Royal British Legion".
André Coutanche, 11 July 2006

Reverse of the Flag

image by Ivan Sache, 10 August 2008

This image shows the flag of Royal British Legion, Harpenden Branch (Hertfordshire). It is not really different from the flags of other branches. But it is a backside, and one could see that only the yellow stripe was stitched on both sides in order to read the inscription, not the blue ones.
Source: I spotted this flag on 5 May 2007 in Harpenden in front of the legion's local building.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 10 August 2008

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The Roman Army STANDARDS(signa):

Special Standard Bearer (aquilifer) who wore a lion-skin headdress.

Click on the following for more images:

Relief of Legionary Eagle and Military Flag (vexillum)

Reconstructed Standards, Military Flag, and Javelins (pila)

Statue of Legionary Standardbearer (aquilifer)

Drawing of Legionary Standardbearer

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Barack Obama Assumed Office 20/01/2009 America in Iraque

44th President of the United States

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Here are some important contact details for veterans and widows

RBL Standard Bearers' Association

The Derbyshire Royal British Legion Standard Bearers' Association has four main objects they are:

X	24th April Standard Bearer's Competition = Llandudno-Cymru
	To promote fellowship amongst Standard Bearers.
	To encourage high standards of efficiency and discipline in Standard Bearers.
	To assist Standard Bearers to obtain training in their drill and ceremonial duties.
	To further the work of The Royal British Legion by attending functions within the Legion and other worthwhile organisations where The Standard Bearers' Association is able to offer assistance.

The Standard Bearers' Association has its own Officers and Committee and these are elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Association; follow the link to the Officers and Committee. The County Standard Marshal, if a member of the Association, is an ex-officio member of the committee.

Meetings are held four times a year at 2:30pm on Saturday afternoons at various Branches around Derbyshire.

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Standard bearer barred in insurance row

Saturday, November 21, 2009

AN 87-year-old RAF veteran must stop carrying the Royal British Legion standard because she is too old to insure, the charity has said.

Madge Covey has been proudly holding aloft a legion flag pole at remembrance services and commemorations for three decades.

Madge Covey holds the Royal British Legion Wellington branch women's section standard at a remembrance parade, before being told she is too old to insure

But now, despite her good health and physical fitness, the former air force cook has gone "beyond the age of insurance", the legion said.

Officials from her branch in Wellington, Somerset, have assured Mrs Covey the decision is not personal. Their national rules state 85 is the oldest insurable age and she must stop.

Last week, the WMN revealed how 84-year-old Second World War hero Harry Billinge, of St Austell, was ruled out of selling Remembrance Day poppies after he was told he was too old and needed insurance.

Mrs Covey last carried the flag for the Women's Section, Wellington And District Branch, on November 11.

She takes no medication and can still drive a car. The standard pole carried by legion members is around eight-feet long, and has brass adornments including a spike on top.

Speaking yesterday, Mrs Covey said: "They told me that I am not insured after the age of 85 so I asked if I could insure myself, as my son is a broker, and they said no.

"But I have been serving for the past two years and no-one has said anything until now.

"I have a pair of good legs and arms, I am not on any medication and my eyesight and heart is good.

"I can drive a car but I can't hold a standard."

Mrs Covey has been carrying out standard bearer duties for the Wellington branch and for the Southampton branch since 1974.

She served for four years as a cook in the RAF during the Second World War as well as working for decades with the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS).

As well as being chair of the women's section of the legion branch, she has received the Queen's medal and various honours in recognition of her work and service.

The standard has to be given back to the legion branch next week but Mrs Covey said she will just leave it outside her front door because she cannot bear to hand it over.

"I feel very sad about it, I have shed a few tears, now I am angry about it," she said.

"I am very proud to be part of Wellington and to show the flag and my medals.

"I felt like giving it all up, but I am very devoted to the legion and I will continue with my other duties."

Mrs Covey is now two years past the official age limit and the local legion said it could not ignore the rules forever.

British Legion county chairman, Major Rikki Peters, said the organisation had public liability insurance for events which covered people to the age of 85.

Maj Peters said: "If Mrs Covey is carrying the standard - or even if she just trips - and it happens to swing down and hit someone then she would not be insured.

"I understand that she must be bitterly, bitterly disappointed, but it is a fact of life and there's is really nothing we can do about it."

British Legion county secretary Monica Summers told BBC Somerset: "This is nothing personal. It's the rule book and I have to comply with it, and unfortunately Mrs Covey is beyond the age of insurance."

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Any points of veiw or 'reminders' email = ngreiner69@yahoo.co.uk

Loughton Branch