Legion in the Community

         

Mr E R Jones, Peterchurch & District Branch The Royal British Legion, Membership Number 0576498

       Mr Ernie Jones spent 56 years raising awareness, offering comradeship and helping beneficiaries of The Royal British Legion on behalf of his Branch, Peterchurch & District in the Golden Valley, Herefordshire.

 From 1954, following his return from National Service, where he served with the Royal Army Service Corps in the Canal Zone, Ernie was an active member of the Branch.  Up until the 1990s when the Legion was the main provider of entertainment and activities in the Golden Valley he, as well as having a full time job, was an energetic and enthusiastic organiser of tombola, whist drives, and sales, regular Clay Pigeon shoots, dinner dances and Village Sports.  Ernie hardly missed a meeting in 45 years and devoted his free times to Legion activities.

 From 1982 Ernie represented the Branch as its Standard Bearer and Committee Member.  His standing in the community meant that he acted as a conduit for welfare cases and enquires about the Legion and most of the Branch's Poppy Appeal collectors were recruited by him.

 The Branch Chairman, in his citation, acknowledged that the success of the Peterchurch & District Branch was due to the good relations the Legion enjoys with the community; the face of the Legion in that community, he said, was Ernie Jones.

 On 25 August 2011 the National Chairman of The Royal British Legion approved the award of National Life Membership to Mr E R Jones (Ernie Jones) of Peterchurch & District Branch.  Mrs Sharron Lewis-James, Director Human Resources, The Royal British Legion, visited Hereford and presented the Award to Mr Jones on Thursday 6 October 2011 at the Council Chambers, Town Hall Hereford in the presence of The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Hereford, Cllr Mrs Julie Woodward..  Four generations of the Jones Family, friends and members of the Peterchurch & District Branch came to the Town Hall to show their support and enjoy the occasion with Ernie.

 The County Chairman, Major Alan Harrhy, said the following about Mr Jones:

"This is a man who has devoted his entire life to the Royal British Legion and has been an enthusiastic Member since his National Service days in the 1950s.  Surely he is the very epitome of "Service not Self".

 

 

Ross-on-Wye Branch won second prize at the Ross Carnival, Saturday 6 August 2011, for this fantastic float!!

                      

Members and Supporters of The Royal British Legion Herefordshire County, play an active role in the community, to raise public awareness, offer support and encourage local people to get involved in any aspect that might interest them

You will see us at:

• Local Fetes/Fairs
• Open Evenings
• Concerts
• Carnivals, Military Air Shows & Military Open Days

 The County Coordinator, vtourmoche@britishlegion.org.uk, can give you more information about The Royal British Legion events taking place in your community.