On Saturday, 15th May the Timsbury Branch of the Royal British Legion help a service at the village War Memorial to mark the 100th Anniversary of the formation of the Legion.

A small crowd from the village attended the service on a cold showery morning, much similar to the weather on the day of the original service held at the Cenotaph in London, 100 years before. A short service was conducted by the Reverend Martin Blewett, giving thanks to the Royal British Legion for their support for the welfare of all service men and women, from the formation in 1921 to the present day.

Barry Sewell, Chairman of Timsbury Branch presented a brief history of the Legion, whilst Chris Fiddes paraded the Branch Standard. Also in attendance were Bernie Davis, Branch President, Mark Ricketts, Vice-Chairman and Committee member Alan Wright. At the end of the service a special 100th Anniversary wreath was laid by Barry Sewell.

The formation of the British Legion, at 0900 on 15th May 1921 was marked by the laying of wreaths at the Cenotaph in London, and brought together four national organisations of ex-Servicemen which had been established after the end of the First World War. The amalgamation of these diverse bodies can be attributed largely to two men: Field Marshal Earl Haig and Tom Lister of The Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers.

Lance Bombardier Tom Lister, a Lancastrian was moved by the situation, and decided that if the government was unable or unwilling to do anything to improve the lives of ex-Service men, he would do something about it himself. This led to the formation of the British Legion.

The Legion was established to care for those who had suffered as a result of service during the First World War and has been helping the Armed Forces community and their families ever since. By 1921, the tradition of a Two Minute Silence had been established. The first ever Poppy Appeal was also held that year. This money was used to help WW1 veterans with employment and housing.