The Royal British Legion Exmouth Branch and The Commando Training Centre Royal Marines were able to hold a joint fundrasing presentation in the CTCRM Falklands Hall on

Friday 9^th May 2014.

“In Defence of the Realm” with  BBC war correspondent Kate Adie OBE DL.

The evening was well attended with an audiance of members and freinds of the RBL and the Corp’s Familly.

The evening began with the RBL County Chairman Ralph Howard Williams giving an update on the RBL today also some very poingyent  readings from WW1.

Then followed a Corp’s update from the Commandant Col. DL Kassapian.

Kate Adie then enthralled us all with her talk about her journey in becoming a war corispondant. The talk was suprisingly enlightening and complete with her dry sense of humour – what an inspirational lady!

After a short break the evening continued with an audiance question and answer to Kate and Col. Kassapian. This was also very interesting and entertaining in that when in conflict war zones both followed the same path, but each had a different agenda.

The evening concluded with the President and innovator of the whole event, Gordon Crocker, thanking the Royal Marines for being hosts and assisting with the administration of the event. A special thank you went to the people who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, Captain Smith RM, Wo2 Richard White RM and our RBL Treasurer Bob Baker.

Our President Gordon Crocker made a presentation to Kate Adie of a British Legion badge that was owned by his father (before it had ‘Royal’ preceding it) and a model of a Royal Marine officer dressed in WW1 uniform was also presented to her; the model was made by Vice President, Brian Parker – Ms. Adie was very touched and thanked all for the invitation to come and speak, she donated her usual fee to the evening. She has just written a book ‘Defence of the Realm’ about women and what they contributed in the fields of conflict since WW1.

The proceeds of this event were jointly shared, after expenses, by Exmouth RBL and the RMA

We were able to donate £1,144.50p to the RM Charitable Trust, who were most appreciative. A cheque for the same amount was presented to Pete Smith and Chris Brookbank to start this year’s Poppy Appeal 2014.

We wish to thank the participating audience for their generosity and support in making this an event to remember for a long time to come.

David Turner