Southwell Royal British Legion branch marks 100 years with wreath-laying ceremony

A branch of the Royal British Legion has marked 100 years after an Advertiser article confirmed the date it was founded.

Southwell Royal British Legion branch held a wreath-laying ceremony to celebrate the milestone, at the Burgage war memorial.

Mr Andy Gregory, chairman of the branch, which covers Southwell, Bleasby and Lowdham, laid a wreath, accompanied by Robert Beckett, the branch secretary.

It was also attended by the Very Rev Nicola Sullivan, Dean of Southwell, who said prayers as part of the ceremony.

Robert said: “The date was confirmed by the Royal British Legion itself, but what prompted me was a mention in the 100 years ago article in the newspaper.”

In bygones, published in the April 14 edition of the Advertiser said: “The ex-Servicemen of Southwell attended in large numbers at the Drill Hall where a meeting was held to further the interests of the British Legion, a branch of which has recently been formed for the town and district.”

It was initially published in 1922.

Even after 100 years, the Southwell branch remains active ­— it supports the Poppy Appeal and Remembrance Day parade each year and provides a wreath for Minster School students to lay in France on a school trip.

Robert added: “It was formed to support the dependants of the fallen and injured, and their families, after the first world war, and it still does that.

“The conflicts that are more current are also important ­and as time goes by it is important to keep the world wars at the forefront for both the older and younger generations.”

Another milestone was passed as the Burgage memorial, constructed in 1921, turned 100 during the pandemic. The wreath-laying came shortly after it’s 101st anniversary.