The Royal British Legion Northern Ireland
The Freedom of the Borough of Ballymoney was conferred on the Royal British Legion on 22nd February 1997, in recognition of the support given to ex-service men and women, their families and their dependents since its establishment in 1921.
Background and History
The Royal British Legion was formed in 1921. Amongst its many objectives it aims to promote the welfare of ex-service men and women and their dependents, to relieve hardship among them where it exists, raising and distributing money for these purposes, assisting serving men and women in their return to civilian life and promoting the interests of their dependents while they themselves are still serving. Under its Royal Charter, the Legion’s help is available to all the categories above, regardless of whether they are its members. This represents some 18 million people, or one third of the population.
The Legion provides seven residential homes and three convalescent homes; training to NVQ standard in arrange of skills and disciplines; advice on setting up small businesses and start-up loans; pilgrimages to war graves worldwide; free advisory service on War and War Widows’ Pension and much more, mainly funded by the Poppy Appeal. The Legion, through its related companies, employs over 2,270 ex-service men and women and their dependents, 31 percent of whom are registered disabled, making the Legion, with its 750,000 members, 3,217 branches and 951 clubs, also act as a social focus for the ex-service community.