Establishment of the Yeovil Branch of the British Legion 1921.

*Acknowledgement to Peter Forrester for initial information*

The first Annual General Meeting of the Yeovil RBL was held on Tuesday 12th July with the purpose of setting the subscriptions and election of Branch Official's (The Western Chronical dated Friday 15th July 1921, page 11, carried a report about the meeting).

Membership subscriptions of The British Legion was set at 6 shillings per year, and membership of the Yeovil Branch and Club would be set at 9 Shillings per year, culminating in a total membership fee of 15 shillings per year. This proposal was carried unanimously. The second Tuesday i each month was fixed as the Legion's general meeting night. It was further resolved that members would address each other as "Comrades".

The following officials were elected:

President - Colonel G.C.W. Heneage, D.S.O., M.V.O. Chairman - Mr F. Denman.

Secretary - Mr R.W. Miller and Mr A. Lea. Executive Committee - Messrs. A.R. Gould, G. Sibley, S. Martin. 

15th July 1921 - Dedication of Yeovil Town (WWI) Memorial - Roll of Honour - Somerset - Yeovil (roll-of-honour.com)

During September 1921, Mr A.H.J. Lea resigned as Joint Secretary due to him leaving the region. The Secretary was confirmed as Mr R.W. Miller.

The Western Chronicle dated Friday14th October 1921, page 3, reported: BRITISH LEGION CLUB HOUSE. - The British Legion (Yeovil and District Branch) has just acquired the Mansion House, Princess-street, Yeovil, for the use as a club-house for ex-Service men, and the committee will be most grateful for any contributions towards the furnishing of the premises. Contributions, however small, will be appreciated and can be sent to the resident secretary on the premises.

Dedication of RBL Yeovil Branch Standard ???

6 Nov 1929 Exeter & Plymouth Gazette - At Yeovil Parish Church the Vicar (Rev J.E.S Harrison) has dedicated a Banner of blue and gold for the Women's Section of the British Legion.

1939-1946

1953 Coronation of Elizabeth II

1971 Yeovil Branch 50th Year ???

Y.E.S.S Club (Yeovil Ex Services Social Club, Preston Road, Yeovil), Was Formerly the Yeovil RBL Club House ????

Falkland Islands Memorial Maple Trees and Stone St John's Churchyard Yeovil - Commissioned by the Rotary Club Yeovil. - Used by local Veteran's of the FI Conflict along with the Y&D RBL as a place of reflection.

1991 Yeovil Branch 75th Year

6th June 2004 - US Forces Memorial, Lloyds Bank Middle Street - Recognition of US Forces Stationed in the Yeovil area leading up to the D-Day Landings - Commissioned by Yeovil Town Council

April 2018 -Present Day (for Current Branch Officers please see Branch Information Page)

In April 2018 with a dwindling branch membership the prospect of the closure of the Branch was very much a reality. However, due to a small number of committed members the branch did not close and slowly recovered enabling to function during the Covid Pandemic period with the chairman maintaining contact with all members via Social Media and the Dog and Bone including Annual Acts of Remembrance with in the Yeovil area. The following branch officers and committee were (and some still active).

Branch President - Lt. Colonel (retired) Christopher Le Hardy.

Branch Chair - Simon Woodrow. Branch Vice-Chair - Peter Forrester.

Branch Secretary - Dan Crook. Branch Treasurer - Andy Kendall.

Branch Standard Bearer - Dan Crooke. Committee - Bruce Trigger, Craig Price and Tricia Hymas. 

2nd June 2018 - Branch Face Book Group Created by Dan Crooke, then Branch Secretary.

18th November 2018 - TRBL Project 100 - Planting of the Yeovil RBL Memorial Oak Tree in Yeovil Cemetery to mark 100 Years Anniversary of the Armistice cessation of hostilities of WW1 1914-18. 

7th January 2019 -The Yeovil Branch TRBL re-organised its branch outreach activities and the following parishes are now affiliated to the branch for membership and ex-services and family welfare Support:
Brympton, Chilthorne Domer, Chilton Cantelo and Ashington, East Chinnock, Ilchester, Limington, Marston Magna, Mudford, Queen Camel, Rimpton, Sparkford, Stoke Sub Hamdon, Tintinhull, Yeovil, Yeovil Without, Yeovilton.

30th September 2019 - Pittards Poppy Memorial Trophy (an annual award for best Remembrance Display in a Shop Window/Garden/Community/Club or School) presented to Branch then VC, Peter Forester by Pittards PLC Yeovil, Chief Designer, Alice Chambers.

Covid Pandemic period -Despite Lockdown and the loss of several members during this time and the policy of the Branch being unable to attend Funerals/Cremations of Veteran's, the Branch still carried out Restricted Annual Acts of Remembrance with-in the Yeovil area, whilst maintaining contact with all members via Social Media and the Dog and Bone.

2021 RBL 100th Year - 

2021 Yeovil Branch 100th Year Project 100 - Yeovil Cemetery, Preston Road, Yeovil.

15th November 2022  - Branch Face Book Group Name changed from Yeovil RBL to Yeovil and District RBL Group.

14th June 2023 - 1st Service of Remembrance at the Falklands Islands 1982 Memorial Maple Trees and Stone St Johns the Baptist Yeovil. SAMA82 Veteran's requested this becomes an Annual event.

2023 Death of Elizabeth II

2024 Coronation of Charles III

14th June 2024 - 2nd Service of Remembrance at the Falklands Islands 1982 Memorial Maple Trees and Stone, St Johns the Baptist Yeovil.