Longhope Branch of the Royal British Legion has been lucky for the last 56 years to have attracted the support of Harold Gurney. It was an obvious refuge for Harold on being demobbed from National Service in the Somerset Light Infantry where he had been able to follow his passion for sport, especially football and cricket, both playing and coaching. Despite having muddy kit to wash, he welcomed being put in charge of sports equipment as it was right up his street!

Longhope was able to provide the next passion in his life, one being the Legion and the other his wife, Faye! Even with Harold’s sport commitments, the couple were able to enjoy the company of Legion members and regularly turned out on parade with their sons Tony and Roger. As Poppy Appeal Organiser for some years, Harold and Faye remember the poppies with leaves being especially popular; the snag was that the leaves came separately and each poppy had to be dismantled, the leaf inserted, and then reattached. Many a dark evening was spent each November on this task, and several sore fingers later they were ready!

In 1989 Harold took over as Branch Chairman from Jim Beard. With this came the responsibility of providing and RBL stall at local shows and fetes, including Badminton Horse Trials, Three Counties Show,  and Fairford Air Show as well as providing storage space at home for the banners, boxes and all the paraphernalia. By now Harold had really got his teeth into RBL business and qualified as a Caseworker in 1995, and a year later in Conference Committee and County Management. In the same year he became Vice-Chairman of Gloucestershire County RBL. Three years later, when Harold proudly became County Chairman, Faye began her hard work on the County Committee of the Women’s Section which she continued for the next 8 years. Harold was the first County Chairman from the Forest of Dean and held the position for 3 years. During this period Harold and Faye travelled far and wide to RBL events and meetings in the county and made many life-long friends. Highlights that they recall well was attending a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, and services at Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Despite his role as Chairman Harold was still able to work as a County Instructor but more importantly fulfil his role as a Caseworker, dedicated to helping ex-servicemen and their families throughout the area, a task which he has continued until very recently. He has lost count of the forms filled and phone calls made on their behalf; many a bag of coal was delivered; many a hamper; pensions claimed; mobility scooters handed over. Whenever a member or a family was in difficulty, Harold was there to help. It is of no surprise that, in recognition of this hard work, Harold was presented to Princess Anne at Gloucester Cathedral in 2005.

Harold remains a very modest man, but is quietly proud of all his work for the Royal British Legion. On his retirement as Branch Chairman, the members wish him all the best in his retirement, and record that they are all very proud of him. With his wealth of experience he will still remain a valued member of Longhope and District Branch and will be prized in his new role as Vice-President.