Column: Sir Bob Russell, Colchester’s former MP who for many years was a parliamentary advisor to the Royal British Legion, writes about a book researched and written to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Legion’s Colchester branch. This is the first of two instalments.

ONE hundred years ago today – August 11, 1921 – the Colchester branch of the British Legion was formed.

A century later, with the Queen having honoured the Legion with the prefix ‘Royal’ granted to mark its 50th anniversary in 1971, members of the Colchester branch are commemorating their centenary, including the publication of a book recording 100 years of activity involving and supporting former members of the Armed Forces.

This has been carefully researched and written by branch president, Army veteran Fred Woolhouse, who has been a stalwart of the Colchester branch for almost 20 years, during which much of the time he has served on the committee and held different positions.

There was a centenary dinner at which Colchester mayor Robert Davidson and Colchester MP Will Quince were honoured guests, as was I in my role as High Steward of Colchester.

In May, there was a small ceremony in Colchester Castle Park when an existing commemorative stone, unveiled on the 90th anniversary, had a plaque added to mark the branch’s centenary.

Gazette: New branch - a framed copy of the certificate of registration is held by the Colchester branch. This picture features in the book, marking 100 years

New branch - a framed copy of the certificate of registration is held by the Colchester branch. This picture features in the book, marking 100 years

Still to come is the final act of the branch’s 100th anniversary – in the autumn, for Armistice Day on November 11, an ambitious target of raising £100,000 in the annual Poppy Appeal for which Mr Woolhouse is taking the lead in his role as chairman of the centenary committee.

The target represents £1,000 for each of the branch’s 100 years.

Last year’s appeal was impacted by Covid-19 restrictions, but for 2019 the sum raised was £85,219.

Thus the £100,000 target, while a challenge, is one the Colchester branch has optimism can be achieved – with the support of the public, of course.

On Armistice Day in 1921, the first Poppy Appeal in Colchester raised £322.

Mr Woolhouse writes: “The poppies were all sold out by 11am so the mayoress and a number of ladies cut out card badges.”

Gazette:

Writer Sir Bob Russell

The establishment of the British Legion in 1921 was a result of the amalgamation of four separate national organisations which had grown out of the horrors of the Great War, later to be known as the First World War.

One of these was the Comrades of The Great War, founded in 1917.

In 1921 a “unity” branch in Colchester applied to be registered as a branch of the new British Legion – Branch Number BR0470, County of Essex, East Anglia area.

A framed copy of the certificate of registration is held by the branch.

Per head of population, Colchester lost more of its young men than anywhere else in the Eastern Counties - in excess of 1,250 at a time when the town’s population was 43,000.

To put that into context for today, with the population exceeding 110,000, this would equate to more than 3,000 of Colchester’s young men being killed.

In his introduction to his research, Mr Woolhouse states: “Little is known of the early history of the branch.”

There are few records from the early years.

Most have been lost, although it is known the president from 1938 to 1953 was Major Gerald Carr Benham (holder of the Military Cross), who was mayor in 1936-37.

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With millions of people having fought in the bloodiest war the world had ever known, with a huge loss of life, for the survivors – among them those with physical or mental disabilities – there was a need for mutual support.

This was long before the welfare state.

* To be continued.

* Every member of the Colchester branch has been given a copy of the centenary book.

A small number are available for the public, with a request of a donation to the branch’s Poppy Appeal.

To obtain a copy, contact Mr Woolhouse on 01206 867391.