Who we help

We’re dedicated to supporting not only serving and ex-serving personnel but the whole of the Armed Forces community, including dependants and carers. This includes:

• Serving personnel, or those who have previously served, who have received one day of pay and were aged 16 or over at the time of service
• Reserve or Auxiliary personnel, or those who have previously served
• Those who have served with the Mercantile Marine afloat in hostile waters
• Current or previous full-time members of Allied Civil Police Forces
• Those entitled to the campaign medal issued to the Royal Navy, Army or Royal Air Force to those giving them direct support or under their command
• Any member of Voluntary Aid Societies who has served full-time and in uniform in direct support of the United Kingdom Armed Forces
• Any British subject (by birth or otherwise) who has served one day in the Forces of an Allied nation during hostilities and received one day of pay from that nation
• Any British subject (by birth or otherwise) who served in a resistance organisation of an Allied nation during hostilities in which the United Kingdom Armed Forces were engaged
• Any person who served in the Home Guard for at least six months, or in a Bomb and Mine Disposal Unit for at least three months
• Any person who was awarded the Defence Medal in respect of service in the Home Guard or in a Bomb and Mine Disposal Unit

We can also provide support for Commonwealth citizens who are residents in the UK as well as past and present members of the Brigade of Gurkhas and their families. Find out more about eligibility online.

There is also a range of support available through the Legion’s Women’s Section.

Dependants can include children, spouses and partners. This includes widows/widowers and those who were formerly a partner of a serving or ex-serving individual.

Other dependants include relatives, those living with serving or ex-serving personnel or those dependent on them.

Carers are those who have an ongoing caring responsibility for someone in the Armed Forces community.

The Royal British Legion has 96 branches outside the United Kingdom. Just because you aren't based in the UK doesn't mean we can’t help you. You can use our website to search for overseas branches and find one near you.