Sunday 27 June 2021

Haslingden Branch of the Royal British Legion. The first 100 years

 100 Years of the Haslingden Branch of the Royal British Legion.

Founded 29th June 1921.


The British Legion was formed on 15 May 1921, bringing together four national organisations of ex-Servicemen that had established themselves during the First World War:The National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers
  • The British National Federation of Discharged and Demobilized Sailors and Soldiers
  • The Comrades of The Great War
  • The Officers' Association

  • Haslingden had it's own branch of the Discharged Sailors and Soldiers Association which was founded in 1917 and after holding meetings in Pleasant St and High St in June 1921 opened the new premises on Lower Deardengate which on the 29th June became the Royal British Legion one of the first in the Country.
    The next two pictures show Lower Deardengate pre 1921.



    The premises closed in 2012 some years after the Haslingden Branch had folded 



    In 1971 the club celebrated 60 years  with a weekend of events and a parade through the town.





    Below are some of the collection of pictures of the Haslingden Branch of the Royal British Legion.












    In 2015 the Haslingden Branch of the Royal British Legion was re-formed and continue to work today raising awareness and funds for those who have served. 

    The following picture shows members of both the Haslingden and Helmshore branches of the RBL at the dedication of the new memorial bench in Haslingden Cemetery purchased with funds raised by Haslingden Roots, Haslingden Old and New and Helmshore Local History Society.