Latest news with #RoyalBritishLegion
BBC News
5 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Guernsey's Royal British Legion President retires
The president of Guernsey's Royal British Legion has retired from his role after more than 40 years' involvement with the than 100 people, including the island's lieutenant governor, attended an event at the Roquettes Hotel to thank Maj Bob Place MBE, who took up the presidency in 2015. Maj Place said: "I invited everyone because it's more a thank you to them. Over the last 20-odd years, all of them in some way or other have actually supported me, and supported the legion and the island."Army veteran, Ben Rowe, has taken over as president and said he was proud and nervous to be taking on the new position. "To help veterans in their time of need is amazing," he said. "It's what we all do, that's why we all join the legion - to either receive help or give help so I'm in a position where we can help," Mr Rowe added. Chris Welsby, president of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Merchant Navy Association in Guernsey, paid tribute to Maj Place: "He's supported everybody through this and it's only right we celebrate his achievements." He added: "It's a recognition of not only his serving career, but his absolute steadfast approach to promoting the Royal British Legion. Promoting support."He said Maj Place was also known for "supporting the mental health awareness of veterans; and just getting the awareness out in our communities".
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Event to celebrate Knowle WW2 RAF veteran's 100th birthday
The 100th birthday of a World War Two RAF veteran will be celebrated at an event organised by the Royal British Albert Jacob, known as Jake, will mark his "incredible milestone" with family and friends at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley on former Great Britain athlete was 17 when he joined the forces in 1943, but like many Black servicemen, he would have to wait decades for official recognition, said the RBL, only gaining the medals he was entitled to in 2023. Garry Stewart, RBL's community engagement officer, said it was important to "come together as a community to celebrate and pay thanks to Prince Albert Jacob on his momentous 100th birthday". "Victory would not have been achieved without the courage and fortitude of our greatest generation, to whom we owe our freedom and way of life," he signing up for the RAF, the teenager travelled to America for specialist training before arriving in Britain to begin military service during the height of the part of the ground crew, Jake played a vital role in keeping aircraft airworthy and ensuring the flow of supplies. When the war ended, Jake returned to Trinidad hoping his RAF skills would help him find work at the airport but was rejected. He returned to Britain in 1947, a year before the arrival of the Empire Windrush. He met his wife Mary, and the couple married in 1953 despite fierce disapproval from her family, who refused to attend the wedding. Their early years were marked by hostility, facing racist has previously described being treated as a "nonentity".After the war, Mr Jacob became a post office manager and settled with his wife in Knowle, Solihull. He also achieved success as an athlete, representing Great Britain as a runner in the 1950s. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Powys County Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Powys Radnor Federation WIs host skittles competition
Women from across Powys came together for a light-hearted skittles competition recently. The event, which took place at the Royal British Legion in Llandrindod Wells, saw 12 teams from different Women's Institutes within the Powys Radnor Federation compete. The competition was lively, with bowls often heading in unexpected directions. The team named Beauty and the Beast, made up of Chris Phillips of Rhayader and Mel Ensor of Nantmel, emerged victorious. In a separate contest to avoid the last place, the team nicknamed Mickey and Minnie Mouse, consisting of Elizabeth Howden of Rhayader and Sheila Weale of Howey, eventually took the honour. Winners were awarded chocolate medallions, while the last-place team received Skittle sweets.
Wales Online
15-07-2025
- General
- Wales Online
National two-minute silence to be held on August 15
National two-minute silence to be held on August 15 A national silence will be observed at noon The service of remembrance will be run in partnership with the Royal British Legion (RBL) A national two-minute silence will be held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. VJ Day – marking victory over Imperial Japan, which signalled the very end of the Second World War – will also be marked with a series of events. A service of remembrance held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on August 15 will feature 400 members of the armed forces, the Red Arrows and historic aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. A national silence will be observed at noon. Four days of events were held in May to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, which marked the end of the Second World War in Europe. But 80 years ago, thousands of British and Commonwealth military personnel continued to fight Japanese forces in Asia and the Pacific for a further three months. The service of remembrance will be run in partnership with the Royal British Legion (RBL) and will be attended by Second World War veterans, VJ association members, senior politicians and military personnel, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said. Second World War veteran and RBL ambassador Tom Berry, 101, from Cheshire, who was serving on HMS Tartar in the Pacific when Japan surrendered, said: 'For veterans like me and all those who carried on fighting until VJ Day was announced, this will be a very emotional day – a moment in history. Article continues below 'I'll be watching the service at home, and I'd ask the country to do the same – to stop and remember all those who gave so much for our freedoms, and those who never made it back.' Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: 'Those who continued to fight bravely in Asia and the Pacific in those last few months of the Second World War must never be forgotten. It is so important for us as a nation to come together on this important anniversary to remember our VJ Day veterans and hear their stories first-hand so we can ensure that their legacy is passed on to future generations and their sacrifice is never forgotten.' Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'VJ Day was the final victory in a war that changed the world, and we honour those who served in the Far East with enduring gratitude. Just as we proudly marked VE Day, we reflect on the courage, sacrifice and resilience shown by so many to secure peace. Article continues below 'Their legacy must never be forgotten, and it's our duty to pass their stories on to future generations.'
The Independent
14-07-2025
- General
- The Independent
National two-minute silence to be held for 80th anniversary of VJ Day
A national two-minute silence will be held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. VJ Day – marking victory over Imperial Japan, which signalled the very end of the Second World War – will also be marked with a series of events. A service of remembrance held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on August 15 will feature 400 members of the armed forces, the Red Arrows and historic aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. A national silence will be observed at noon. Four days of events were held in May to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, which marked the end of the Second World War in Europe. But 80 years ago, thousands of British and Commonwealth military personnel continued to fight Japanese forces in Asia and the Pacific for a further three months. The service of remembrance will be run in partnership with the Royal British Legion (RBL) and will be attended by Second World War veterans, VJ association members, senior politicians and military personnel, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said. Second World War veteran and RBL ambassador Tom Berry, 101, from Cheshire, who was serving on HMS Tartar in the Pacific when Japan surrendered, said: 'For veterans like me and all those who carried on fighting until VJ Day was announced, this will be a very emotional day – a moment in history. 'I'll be watching the service at home, and I'd ask the country to do the same – to stop and remember all those who gave so much for our freedoms, and those who never made it back.' Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: 'Those who continued to fight bravely in Asia and the Pacific in those last few months of the Second World War must never be forgotten. 'It is so important for us as a nation to come together on this important anniversary to remember our VJ Day veterans and hear their stories first-hand so we can ensure that their legacy is passed on to future generations and their sacrifice is never forgotten.' Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'VJ Day was the final victory in a war that changed the world, and we honour those who served in the Far East with enduring gratitude. 'Just as we proudly marked VE Day, we reflect on the courage, sacrifice and resilience shown by so many to secure peace. 'Their legacy must never be forgotten, and it's our duty to pass their stories on to future generations.'
