Royal British Legion - Malden & Coombe
June
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We are living through strange times. Malden and Coombe Royal British Legion haven’t, of course, been able to have our meetings in The Grafton Club but we are all keeping in touch and supporting each other. Our VE day celebrations and those nationally planned for 8th May had to be cancelled disappointingly, but we did lay a wreath thanking those who fought so bravely during WW2 and remembering those who were lost both here locally, in Great Britain and in battle abroad.
I would like to share one man’s story of WW2.William Feist (my father in law) had been a regular soldier since 1932 and served in The East Surrey Regiment. He was first captured on 12th December 1942 in Tunis and escaped and was recaptured a total of 4 times in held in both Italian and German camps!! He was unable to take part in 8th May VE day 1945 but was finally freed and returned home on 13th May 1945.He never spoke about his time in the camps. He passed away in 1984. We will also be remembering those who were in the conflict with Japan on the VJ day on 15th August. We are also now thinking about the Poppy Appeal. Plans are being looked at and we hope the appeal will take place. However, of course, this will only be if it is safe to do so. I will be contacting my collectors and helpers to inform them of future plans. I hope you are keeping safe and well and look forward to seeing everyone when this is over. The Legion is still open to help those ex service personnel who are in need and our homes are still open. Please phone 0808 802 8080 for advice and to report anyone connected to the armed forces who are in need. IN THE MEMORY OF THE FALLEN AND THE FUTURE OF THE LIVING |
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May
As I write this article during the Covid 19 lockdown, I am remembering that 75 years ago today how the 2nd British Army liberated Bergen-Belsen, the concentration camp in Germany. How dreadful the scenes they encountered, many never forgetting the sight of the dead and dying .And how, after feeding them food and water, how many more died just by overloading their many months empty stomachs. The mental state of those soldiers may not have been understood in 1945. But they would have been today. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is one of the many illnesses treated by specialised doctors in our British Legion Homes and Centres. We must not forget, in these current difficult times, the ex service personnel being treated today have also seen sights during their service of unbelievable horror and that our support is still needed.
I will be ordering Poppies, Wreathes, badges etc for our 2020 Poppy Appeal in October/November, sometime this month. I hope and pray that we will be able to continue our collections and raise money for the Royal British Legion. Malden and Coombe branch are supporting our local members as best we can. If you know a member or ex service person who is in need of help please contact 0808 802 8080.
In the meantime our thoughts go out to our community who support us so wonderfully during the year. As Her Majesty the Queen has said. “We will see our families again. We will meet again”
Stay safe .TO THE MEMORY OF THE FALLEN AND THE FUTURE OF THE LIVING
April
At the time of writing we are living in difficult times. We all have to look after ourselves, wash our hands and not spend too much time amongst groups of people. We at Malden and Coombe understand these problems but it does not stop us remembering our members and friends. If any members need help with shopping or just need a chat please don’t hesitate to ring one of us. It is what we are here for. We have had a couple of members who have had falls and we wish them a full recovery. We will not be holding meetings unless we are informed otherwise. We do not want anyone to feel isolated so we will keep members who have emails up to speed as to British Legion guidelines. No VE day commemorations will be taking place. However I know that a wreath will be laid on 8th May at the Memorial in New Malden High Street. Difficult times remembering the end of difficult times in 1945.
We have had some fun recently before the current rules were applied.. Some of us attended a Country and Western event and had a great evening.
Please don’t forget to let us know if any service personnel are in need of help. Please remember that you only needed to be in the Armed Forces for a matter of days to qualify for RBL assistance, especially in these times. Please ring nationally 0808802 8080 or me on 07900482379.
TO THE MEMORY OF THE FALLEN AND THE FUTURE OF THE LIVING
As I write this article during the Covid 19 lockdown, I am remembering that 75 years ago today how the 2nd British Army liberated Bergen-Belsen, the concentration camp in Germany. How dreadful the scenes they encountered, many never forgetting the sight of the dead and dying .And how, after feeding them food and water, how many more died just by overloading their many months empty stomachs. The mental state of those soldiers may not have been understood in 1945. But they would have been today. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is one of the many illnesses treated by specialised doctors in our British Legion Homes and Centres. We must not forget, in these current difficult times, the ex service personnel being treated today have also seen sights during their service of unbelievable horror and that our support is still needed.
I will be ordering Poppies, Wreathes, badges etc for our 2020 Poppy Appeal in October/November, sometime this month. I hope and pray that we will be able to continue our collections and raise money for the Royal British Legion. Malden and Coombe branch are supporting our local members as best we can. If you know a member or ex service person who is in need of help please contact 0808 802 8080.
In the meantime our thoughts go out to our community who support us so wonderfully during the year. As Her Majesty the Queen has said. “We will see our families again. We will meet again”
Stay safe .TO THE MEMORY OF THE FALLEN AND THE FUTURE OF THE LIVING
April
At the time of writing we are living in difficult times. We all have to look after ourselves, wash our hands and not spend too much time amongst groups of people. We at Malden and Coombe understand these problems but it does not stop us remembering our members and friends. If any members need help with shopping or just need a chat please don’t hesitate to ring one of us. It is what we are here for. We have had a couple of members who have had falls and we wish them a full recovery. We will not be holding meetings unless we are informed otherwise. We do not want anyone to feel isolated so we will keep members who have emails up to speed as to British Legion guidelines. No VE day commemorations will be taking place. However I know that a wreath will be laid on 8th May at the Memorial in New Malden High Street. Difficult times remembering the end of difficult times in 1945.
We have had some fun recently before the current rules were applied.. Some of us attended a Country and Western event and had a great evening.
Please don’t forget to let us know if any service personnel are in need of help. Please remember that you only needed to be in the Armed Forces for a matter of days to qualify for RBL assistance, especially in these times. Please ring nationally 0808802 8080 or me on 07900482379.
TO THE MEMORY OF THE FALLEN AND THE FUTURE OF THE LIVING