THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION CHINGFORD

South Chingford British Legion started life as a Branch and Social Club in the North of
Chingford Headquarters which is where the United Service Club now stands.

There is no record of those early years but it is said that some members could not "get on together" and Harry Hammond, with others, formed a breakaway branch and set up home in Hall Lane Chingford.

The first Branch meeting took place at No 67 Hall Lane on Wednesday June 15th 1936.

Officers and committee were elected to stay in office until 30th September 1936. In fact, the
next Annual General Meeting did not take place until February 24th 1937, but from then on
Chingford Branch of the Legion grew and prospered under the guidance and firm hands of
Harry Hammond Chairman and J Harry Jones President.

During 1937 the Women's Section was formed.

They have made their own impression on the British Legion in Chingford.

For the first ten years, the formative years, things were made difficult by the war and the
immediate pre-war years. Not the best of times for building up a new venture.

In 1938 we find the first record of the Service Committee.

It is stated that during the year
food vouchers to the value of £65.00 had been issued.

It is interesting to note that during the year 1984/1985 assistance was provided to ex service personnel to the value of £3,380.84.

From 1938 onwards various Officers maintained a group of the Hospital Savings Association
and Harry Hammond a Branch of the National Savings Association for which Harry was later
honoured by the award of the O.B.E.

On 16th July 1939 Chingford British Legion Shrine to the fallen was dedicated in St. Edmunds Church, Larkswood Road.

The Shrine was unveiled by Mr J Harry Jones, President. It is recorded that a marquee be erected in the grounds and that "a screen be erected between the marquee and the Gentlemen's Lavatory".

In 1939 The Poppy Appeal seems to receive its first mention  and was for many years
organised by Mrs. Fisher of the Women's Section who in 1952 was awarded the Gold Badge from The British Legion in recognition of her services.

At this time, it is recorded that Bob Lamond, a Ship's engineer, was thanked at a Northern
District meeting for his sterling work during the evacuation of Dunkirk.

During the war work went on as well as possible.

Although in 1940 Harry Hammond stated that
" Legion activity was nearly at a standstill but that our efforts were continuing.

Currently there were 36 Ordinary members and 25 Honorary members serving in the forces. Most other members were either Home Guards or engaged in defence duties.

In 1941 it was announced that the Prime Minister. Member for Woodford had signified his
consent and pleasure for the name of Winston to be used in connection with the new building
to be raised in due course, the fund for which now stood at £879.15.9d.

During the war years up to 1944 the "Cigarette Fund" had distributed £1050 in the form of smokes for serving men. One wonders how many cigarettes that worked out at?

In the years following the war membership increased considerably and various activities were instituted.

A brass band was raised and supplied with instruments and uniforms.

The Band had a strength at this time of 26, with some juniors in training.

A football section was formed with a ground obtained at Loughton. The section had a lot of success and lasted for some years.

A succession of cricket teams was formed which did well for some years.

Also, of course, darts became a successful indoor game. At one time we had teams in three leagues.

Your chronicler can remember an Annual General Meeting when we had all the Flower Show trophies together with winner’s trophies for darts, football and cricket.

A successful year indeed.

It was in 1946 that the Social Club applied for Certificate "A" status under the new rules.
Until now of course, the club was part of the Branch, administered by the same officials and
committee.

It was now decided that it was too much for one set of people to handle both sides of the organisation.

The application was proposed by Mr. E.A.Bird and seconded by Mr. Rickets. Carried.

During 1949 the bungalow at 63 Hall Lane was acquired, refurbished and decorated at a cost
of £2000 to the Building Fund.

In 1950/1 The Horticultural Section and its Flower Show seem to have come to strength under
the capable and hard-working hands of Mr A C. Jones or Jones the Poppy. as he was dubbed
by a- Welsh National Chairman, who continued as Horticultural Section Secretary until the
mid-seventies.

On two occasions the flower show has been graced by the presence of Lady Victoria Scott,
daughter of Field Marshal Earl Haig of Bemerside, our founder.

A long list of National Chairmen have officiated at our shows. On one occasion we were honoured by          Lt Cdr T Gould VC RD.

In 1951 it is recorded that H Hammond organised a baby show for the Poppy Appeal                              No further information seems to be available. The Mind boggles!'!

It was in 1957 that the Forest Branch from the Chingford Hatch area amalgamated with
Chingford and we became known as the Borough of Chingford and Forest Branch.

We retained this title until 1960 when it was decided that, since we were the only Branch of the
Legion in Chingford it must be right to represent all the ex-service-men and women in the Borough.

The name was then changed back to the Chingford British Legion, a title which we proudly carry today,

1960. The great day came; our new headquarters were to be opened.

With regret Winston Churchill said that his commitments and failing health prevented him from performing the opening ceremony.

He asked us to nominate a Founder Member to deputise for him. Who else but Harry Hammond, Founder Chairman. And so, before Civic and Legion dignitaries Harry opened our new home, naming it Winston Hall.

From lowly beginnings the Building Fund had crept up to some £8000. The Club were then kind enough to pay two years rent (£600) in advance so that the building was paid for before the key was put in the door.

A great day indeed.

We still had as our concert hall a somewhat decrepit old nissan hut behind the new headquarters and it was determined to replace this as soon as possible.

1966 the Barbara Coote Hall was opened by Col Ian V Coote OBE, D.L., IP, President.

Our thanks to Messrs McMullen and Greene King for their co-operation.

During this period the horticultural section had been performing most creditably - all profits went to the to the Poppy Appeal.

It was now in 1966 that Arthur Jones first organised the North East Counties Flower Show at Tottenham. Chingford Gardening members were quite successful, but it was in 1967 that we excelled. Chingford won 6 trophies.

CoL Coote relinquished the Presidency after 24 years. A replica, a miniature of the Branch Standard was presented to him.

The Colonels services and his support of all British Legion activities were of inestimable value to us.

The great year for Standards was 1972. The Branch won the Ashwanden Cup and the Deputy
Standard Bearers Cup in the same day. In the following year we again won the Ashwanden
Cup.

The Queens 25th Anniversary was celebrated by a performance of the Ceremonial Sunset by
bands and standards. A photograph and loyal address were sent to the Queen, our Patron.

Mr. W J Bowstead JP who so ably took over the Presidency from Col. Coote retired in 1980
and sadly died in 1984. Mr. Bowstead was succeeded by Mr. A Ellingwoth who held the post up until the mid-nineties.

The Social Club which was originally under the control of the Branch and is now an autonomous body holding the British Legion Certificate A license for clubs has always been a great support to the organisation and now in fact has assumed financial responsibility for the whole of the Chingford British Legion properties. The Social Club has always been and still is held in the greatest esteem by the members.