Since the Royal British Legion was founded in 1921, our members, staff, volunteers and partners have dedicated their time and effort to supporting the Armed Forces community and remembering their sacrifice.
To mark our 100th birthday, we launched the Reward and Recognition scheme where everyone across the RBL family was invited to nominate people who deserved to be recognised for their significant contributions to our work.
The awards recognise the outstanding actions of individuals in five categories; service, collaboration, passion, excellence and valuing our people.
From the moment we launched the scheme, the nominations came flooding in and after a robust check on the quality and standard of submissions, we were left with over 400 tales of inspiration and determination from groups and individuals across the organisation, all of whom are equally deserving of recognition in our Centenary year.
Here we celebrate the contributions of our amazing RBL People who have helped to make our organisation the fantastic place that it is. Search by name or use the filters below to explore the nominees.
Mick Mills
Mick Mills
Mick is Secretary of Aldershot Branch in Hampshire and has been instrumental in growing membership and getting things running smoothly. He has organised a great programme of events that have increased comradeship, including trips, dances and lunches. In 2020, he called members on a weekly basis over lockdown to check on their wellbeing, and organised a much-welcomed Covid-safe quiz night to launch the Poppy Appeal. He also takes a D-Day veteran to Arromanches every year.
Bert Pearson
Bert Pearson
Bert joined the RBL in 1971 and has served as Secretary, Welfare Officer and Chairman of Williton Branch in Somerset, as well as in County positions. Over the years, Bert’s contribution has been outstanding, including putting on five Poppy Appeal concerts; helping to raise £6,000 to build the village’s war memorial; leading the team for the First World War commemoration event; and raising money for community buses for RBL care home Dunkirk Memorial House.
Gail Armstrong
Gail Armstrong
In 2017, ex-WRNS Gail decided to resurrect the RBL branch in Blyth, Northumberland. Within two months, her conviction and tenacity had inspired supporters, local business personalities and charities to back the new branch, join and volunteer for committee positions. Membership doubled within weeks of inauguration. Gail has dynamic ideas and an open, inclusive leadership style; she is mentoring a teen Youth Coordinator who produces the quarterly newsletter and is encouraging more junior RBL involvement.
Susan McClean
Susan McClean
Susan joined the RBL in the 1980s while serving with the Royal Observer Corps. Since 1992, she has been Treasurer of Backbarrow with Crake Valley Branch in Cumbria. Her dedication to the role has kept the branch on a sound financial footing; she produces accurate and prompt accounts and meets all RBL deadlines. Given her efficiency with handling funds, she is also invaluable to the Poppy Appeal as part of the counting and banking team.
Keith Edlin MBE
Keith Edlin MBE
Recognised for his outstanding contribution to the Royal British Legion.
Andrew Farquhar
Andrew Farquhar
Andrew has volunteered at the National Memorial Arboretum since 2011, and is on its Board of Trustees. During this time, he has played an active role in the development of the £15 million Remembrance Centre and led the Aspects events building project and an infrastructure project. His leadership and input have kept the focus on improving and maintaining the UK’s Centre of Remembrance in ways that will maximise income, provide stability and boost visitor numbers.
David Childs
David Childs
The drive and vision of Commander David Childs was behind the establishment of the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA). His concept of a living memorial for those who served and sacrificed became a reality through his tireless work securing land, raising funds and inspiring a team of volunteers. It is thanks to his incredible dedication that the peaceful surroundings of the NMA have become a key focus for the nation’s Remembrance activities.
Georgia Hudson
Georgia Hudson
Georgia has shown amazing dedication to the Kilkeel Women’s Section since she was 13. She became a Standard Bearer and on her own initiative, raised money for a new Standard pole and uniform, allowing them to compete in competitions. She became the Northern Ireland Deputy Youth Standard Bearer, travelling long distances to attend events such as the GP90 pilgrimage. She participates in schools and outreach programmes and remains a real asset to her branch.
John Keane
John Keane
John served in the Army for 18 years and when he left, he experienced homelessness. The RBL helped him with housing and finances; this gave him a new-found confidence and he became an Advice & Information Volunteer at the Liverpool Pop In Centre. In 2018, he became Wallasey’s Poppy Appeal Organiser, and has since built up a volunteer network, forged relationships with The Navy Club, schools and businesses – and has raised many thousands.
Lisa Smith
Lisa Smith
Lisa is Volunteer Coordinator at Galanos House. Since March 2020, she has used regular phone calls, Zoom meetings and a newsletter to keep volunteers up to date with events in the home. She has also helped them keep up their work with virtual befriending, letter writing and crafting. By maintaining strong relationships during a difficult year, she has ensured that volunteers feel valued and will return when they are able to.
Robert Lee
Robert Lee
As Assistant Director of Remembrance & Executive Producer of the Festival of Remembrane, Robert is part of the Remembrance team, whose work on the Festival of Remembrance was recognised with a BAFTA Award in 2018. The same year, Robert developed the RBL’s Thank You movement, which asked the nation to say ‘thank you’ to the First World War generation. He helped produce resources to make community events a success and create a website honouring those who lost their lives.
John Wand
John Wand
MD of a renowned radio systems company, John provided sound, lighting, manpower and more at Bourne & District Branch’s events for free. From building life-size silhouettes of soldiers and illuminating the Town Hall in red, white and blue, to providing PA system production on Remembrance Sunday, he ensured events had maximum impact among the community and beyond as part of his dedicated support of the RBL. Sadly, John passed away in October 2020.
Stephen Tracey
Stephen Tracey
By 2019, Whitstable RBL Club and Branch both faced closure. With help from some very good friends and volunteers, former pub landlord Steve has worked incredibly hard to turn this around. He took on the historic business difficulties of the Club, relaunching it with a community feel, better hours and themed nights. He also fully supported the Branch relaunch, offering his services on the Branch Committee and tirelessly promoting it locally and on Facebook. Thanks to his efforts, both are now thriving.
Andy Nash
Andy Nash
At The Belfry Shopping Centre in Redhill, Surrey, Manager Andy goes above and beyond for the RBL, raising thousands of pounds. Every year, he organises a Poppy Drop and public Remembrance service, and runs collection tables for the Poppy Appeal. He also works hard to engage the public and raise the charity’s profile with special events, including a military display to commemorate the First World War – complete with Lancaster bomber.
Russell Thompson
Russell Thompson
As Director of Fundraising & Marketing from 1997 to 2012, Russell set up the RBL’s first direct-marketing activities, online Poppy Shop sales and corporate fundraising. He also built Mass and Special Events from a couple of small activities per year to a wide range of events, including Pedal to Paris and the Christmas Celebration. During his time, funds raised by the Poppy Appeal more than doubled, largely thanks to his passion, enthusiasm and commitment.
Moira Wallace
Moira Wallace
Moira is a very active member of the Oakengates Branch in Shropshire, where she has been the Poppy Appeal Organiser for the past 2.5 years. In her first year, she increased the area fundraising total from £18,000 to £30,000 by rebuilding bridges and developing new contacts within the community. She is also passionate about Remembrance and was instrumental in setting up an everlasting Poppy Cross memorial in the local park in collaboration with local businesses.
Gary Louttit
Gary Louttit
Gary is a leading volunteer for Poppyscotland as part of Renfrew Rotary Club. For the 2020 Poppy Appeal, in a bid to combat the potential loss of income from the pandemic, he enlisted the whole club plus his network of family and friends to create ‘poppy rocks’, garden stones painted with poppies and military badges. These were sold in a local shop throughout the Appeal, raising more than £5,000.
Chantel Dixon
Chantel Dixon
Internal Communications & Engagement Manager Chantel coordinated, produced and launched RBL all-staff virtual town halls in July last year in response to the new working environment brought about by the pandemic. Around 600 staff attend and feedback has been very positive. Chantel has also launched a new all-staff channel that will be used long-term post-pandemic, and has shared her knowledge with other colleagues so that they can develop their skills and produce live events.