This year sees the 100th anniversary of the Royal British Legion. It was born of the Unity Conference held at the Queen’s Hall, Langham Place, London on Saturday, 14th May and Sunday, 15th May 1921, the Conference adopted the Draft Constitution, together with amendments, alterations, and additions agreed by the Conference as the Constitution of the British Legion. This Constitution was to become operative from 15th May 1921.

Branches were soon established across the country following the setting up of the Royal British Legion, but not all were started on the same date. It is understood that the local Branch, Midsomer Norton & Radstock, was an amalgamation of the two branches in the respective towns. The full history of the branches and the amalgamated branch is not known, as there is an absence of recorded evidence. Following the closure of Paulton Branch, the area now covered by the Branch extends from Wellow and Dunkerton to Ston Easton.

There will be a Centenary Parade at the War Memorial, Midsomer Norton, on 15th May at 11:00hrs. To represent the 100 years of the Legion, 96 wooden crosses will be displayed and four more will be laid by members of the Branch to recognise Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Paulton and the final one to represent all of the other towns and villages in the district. Due to the size, this ceremony will form the centre point of the district.

The Branch would also like to request any anecdotes, stories, names or situations from the readers in an effort to write our history.

Please send any anecdotes or stories to Wg Cdr Geoff Wilson at: geoff [email protected]. If documents are involved, arrangements can be made to collect and copy. Any documents would be treated with the utmost care and will be returned to the owner.