Every year on the Saturday of Remembrance weekend ,War Widows and their families gather at the Cenotaph to hold a very personal service of remembrance. The Service is conducted by the Chaplain to the Association; during the service the silence is observed and a simple tribute made of chrysanthemums, poppies and rosemary is laid in remembrance of fallen loved ones.
Read moreProject Semaphore, is an RNA initiative funded by the Aged Veterans Fund, to provide an iPad to address the issue of digital isolation in older Veterans which exacerbates loneliness and poverty. It is not an IT Project, it is a Project to provide friendship, support and practical help. With the outcome of better spiritual and mental health: a recent study equated loneliness in the elderly to the effect of smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
The devices have been built to our specification and include shortcuts to the RN, RNA, RMA websites as well as several pre-loaded Apps, mindful that using an IT equipment for the first time can be overwhelming, the links to the RN are familiar and help to dilute initial fears.
Read moreNFL’s Minnesota Vikings host bereaved Forces children ahead of Twickenham debut
Eight bereaved Forces children from Armed Forces charity, Scotty’s Little Soldiers, came face to face to American sporting legends this weekend, as they went behind the scenes at Twickenham Stadium, ahead of the NFL’s clash between Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns.
The children, who have all lost a parent while serving in the British Armed Forces, spent the morning on Saturday (28th) with the Minnesota Vikings team and coach who helped them get to grips with American Football before watching the game live on Sunday (29th).
Read moreSSAFA Ambassador and Special Forces Veteran Ant Middleton will be putting Vogue Williams through her paces to take on the Royal Marines physical fitness test. The test will include a 4.8km run in two parts in under 12 minutes 30 seconds, followed by timed bleep tests including running, press ups, sit ups and pull ups.
Read moreThe Royal British Legion (TRBL) launches its annual Poppy Appeal.
Today (Thursday 26th October 2017) thousands of volunteers will stand on street corners across the UK, asking the public to support the Poppy Appeal. People wear the paper poppies to remember all Service men and women killed in conflict. In 2016, the TRBL raised £146.9 million for the Armed Forces community. This year the TRBL is asking people to #RethinkRemembrance, and recognise the sacrifices made by the military family, past and present.
Read moreSydney Graham, an OA volunteer, recently attended a memorial service for the father he never met.
Edward Graham was killed during an ambush in Sicily on 13th August 1943. The Royal Irish Fusilier died aged 31, without knowing his wife had given birth to twin sons just 22 days before. Edward was initially posted as missing but was confirmed dead two years later. He was first buried at the roadside before being moved to an unnamed grave.
Read moreA veteran and Poppyscotland beneficiary was joined by primary school pupils at the old Forth crossing today to launch the 2017 Scottish Poppy Appeal.
Corporal Andrew McIntosh, 44, who served for 14 years with the 22nd Cheshire Regiment and saw service in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and The Gulf, is no stranger to doing his bit for the Armed Forces charity after he travelled from John O’Groats to Land’s End on his mobility scooter to raise £3,000.
Andy, from Strathaven, South Lanarkshire, was confined to a mobility scooter after being diagnosed with a very rare and serious vascular condition in 2009. Poppyscotland provided him with an electric-powered vehicle to give him more independence – and Andy was only too keen to show his gratitude.
Read moreAn original photograph of World War One soldier, Private Arthur John Nappin, is to be reunited with his family after an appeal from The Royal British Legion’s South East Midlands Team.
Based in Aylesbury, the team put a call out to the community to find Private Nappin’s lost family after his original war-time photograph was handed in to the high street Pop In Centre. Thanks to a widespread appeal, which appeared on social media, Carole Hickman, came forward after being informed by her cousin and extended family that Arthur Nappin may be a relation.
Carole said: “I was surprised to see on social media and in the paper that the Legion were actively seeking to reunite a war time photo with the subject’s family. My cousin and I delved a little deeper into our family history and we traced an Arthur Nappin back to our Grandfather, Henry William Nappin, who was from Oakley village in Aylesbury.
Read moreLines of the renowned poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ appeared in iconic locations today – installed by The Royal British Legion to launch the 2017 Poppy Appeal and encourage the nation to rethink the meaning of the poppy and recognise it as a symbol of hope.
‘In Flanders Fields’ was written after poppies bloomed on the battle fields of the First World War, despite the death and destruction around them. It’s that life force growing in the most difficult of circumstances that connects the poppy with a message of hope. By re-creating John McCrae’s poem, in seven locations the Legion aims to bring ‘In Flanders Fields’ into modern-day consciousness, encouraging people to consider the meaning of the poppy as a symbol both of Remembrance and hope.
Read moreThe Royal British Legion hosts the annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on 11 November to commemorate all those who have lost their lives in conflicts.
The Royal British Legion’s annual Festival of Remembrance takes place at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 11 November 2017, the day before Remembrance Sunday. The Festival commemorates all those who have lost their lives in conflicts.
There are two performances, a matinee at 2pm and an evening performance at 7pm, the latter attended by the Royal Family. Highlights of the performance which includes special guest artists, military bands and a drumhead service, are broadcast on BBC TV and radio.
Afghanistan support
In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here
