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.
Ross Cannings
Ross Cannings
Ross's IT skills and dedication as Poppy Appeal Treasurer of the Fleet, Crookham & District Branch in Hampshire have revolutionised processes, making it easier to reconcile figures, count cash and analyse the amount collected in different locations and at different times, leading to a 27% increase in funds raised. He's brought the same level of efficiency to branch accounting and planning, enabling a confident expansion and improvement of activities the branch can offer.
Stafford Seward OBE
Stafford Seward OBE
Stafford has been Chairman of Kilmington Branch in Devon since 2015. He is a proactive leader and is always looking for ways to involve the RBL in the community, expand the membership (especially among the youth) and fundraise. In 2020, his initiative to use a tractor and trailer, decorated with RBL logos and bunting, to collect green waste and Poppy Appeal donations raised more than £2,000 and won an RBL Covid-19 Community Response Award.
Gillian Page
Gillian Page
Over the past two years, Gillian has worked to establish her brainchild, the Veterans Community Network (VCN), a charity covering Milton Keynes, Northampton and Bedford. She trains and oversees ‘peer mentors’ to assist veterans who may be homeless or struggle with mental-health or addiction issues, and collaborates with the RBL and local authorities to ensure the best support. Through her experience and incredible commitment, she quickly and effectively secures excellent outcomes for these vulnerable people.
Tam Miller
Tam Miller
A member of Aldridge Branch in the West Midlands, Tam set out to raise money for the Poppy Appeal by walking 250 miles from 1st October to 7th November 2020. This meant covering 6.5 miles a day, which proved difficult given his health issues and commitments with a young family and job in the Armed Forces. He was interviewed by local press – putting the branch in the spotlight – and raised £4,620, smashing his fundraising target.
Arlene Wright
Arlene Wright
Arlene has managed the successful Schools Programme in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, for the past 12 years, designing and delivering it to more than 30 schools – both integrated and nationalist – during Remembrancetide and for special anniversaries. She gives children an insight into life during the World Wars; teaches them about the meaning of the poppy; and uses interactive resources, including a small Standard, clothing and ration cards, to bring the information to life.
Noel Franklin
Noel Franklin
Noel joined the Wexford Branch in 2000. The 'Troubles' had greatly affected the RBL's profile in the Irish Republic, but Noel's standing in the community meant its events were respected throughout the Decade of Commemorations (2010-2020). Due to Noel's efforts as Branch Chairman, citizens who would never have dreamt of wearing a poppy attended RBL occasions with pride, demonstrating how cross-community events can enhance the Peace Process in this part of the Irish Republic.
Joanna Boyd MBE
Joanna Boyd MBE
A member and officer for Waterside Branch, Londonderry, for 18 years, Joanna has secured grants totalling £125,000 for concerts, Festivals of Remembrance, tea dances, educational programmes, training, and mobile exhibitions that bring the history of the First and Second World Wars to life for people of all ages. She shows great skill in collaborating with local authorities, funding bodies and arts organisations, and always gives her time freely.
Susan Coleman
Susan Coleman
Susan works as an Overseas Case Officer. She has been instrumental in driving inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community. She has campaigned with LGBTQ+ community leaders, created partnerships with charities and started a national LGBTQ+ & Allied Branch, receiving a Soldiering On Award for her efforts. However, her greatest achievement has been reaching out to individuals, changing attitudes towards the RBL and ensuring people know the organisation is inclusive of all.
Arthur Cordell
Arthur Cordell
A member of the RBL for more than 60 years, Arthur has supported activities from the Poppy Appeal to Remembrance to welfare. He was a founder member of the Chalfont St Peter Club in Buckinghamshire, providing a much-needed base where members of the branch and their families could socialise, and which has helped it maintain membership numbers and survive to this day (now as Chalfont St Peter and St Giles).
Maynard Scott
Maynard Scott
Maynard was one of the first volunteers at the National Memorial Arboretum and has helped with many aspects of the site over 23 years. He was involved in the Millennium Chapel of Peace and Forgiveness from the very early days and is Honorary Secretary of its committee. He actively engages with management to ensure that the Chapel continues to welcome people of any faith and none, in a quiet space where all will feel comfortable.
Carol Arnold
Carol Arnold
Carole was, until recently, a successful Community Fundraiser in Devon. With an extraordinary enthusiasm for the work of the RBL, she built an extensive network of supporters, ranging from the Lord Lieutenant to local councillors. Her strong relationships with local decision-makers and members of the community always ensured maximum support for RBL initiatives.
David Wheeler
David Wheeler
David has been a committed Poppy Collector for 13 years, since he was 13. In that time, he has been personally responsible for raising well over £100,000. Each year, he takes unpaid leave from his job to collect at Sainsbury's in Durham City. In 2020, this was not possible due to the pandemic, but his encouragement of local businesses to take tins kept the RBL alive in people’s minds and raised more than £5,000.
Patricia Prior
Patricia Prior
A Poppy Collector since 1969, when she was in the Royal Navy, Pat is now the Poppy Appeal Organiser for Lee on Solent/Stubbington, Hampshire. This year, she provided a Counting Centre, where volunteers could count and bank money in a Covid-safe environment. Pat is also a Caseworker and has been a lifeline for many during the pandemic, calling up those needing support and assisting them with everything from funeral costs to food vouchers.
Tim Burt
Tim Burt
In just five years, Tim’s energy and ideas as Secretary and Membership Secretary have revitalised the Fleet, Crookham & District Branch in Hampshire, making it a much more vibrant and active organisation that local councils, other organisations and the public now see as an important part of the community. Although Covid-19 cancelled his VE75 plans, his networking means the branch now has a loyal band of people locally who have started to support RBL activities.
Ian Park
Ian Park
Ian has been the Treasurer for Trowbridge Branch in Wiltshire for 30 years. He has attended many courses to keep up to speed and has become something of an expert in financial regulatory requirements. A fine example of a ‘back-room beaver’, he ensures the branch hits its financial deadlines and is always compliant, and in meetings, he is always on hand to give sound advice and clear answers to any accounts-related query.
Angeline Syvret
Angeline Syvret
As Head of Residential at Maurice House, Angeline advocates for her care home’s residents at all times and supports her team to do the same. During the COVID-19 outbreak, she worked extra shifts on the nursing floor, using her knowledge of medication and end-of-life care to help the nursing team in their work. Angeline collaborates with all internal departments as well as external professionals to deliver the highest standard of care to residents.
Angela Standing
Angela Standing
Angela was determined to ensure Arundel’s Remembrance service could go ahead in 2020, despite Covid-19 restrictions. She adapted the plans following ever-changing guidance and negotiated with the district council to obtain permission. The socially distanced service went ahead, with several local dignitaries and 200 people in attendance. She was also heavily involved in the Poppy Appeal, preparing boxes, manning a stall and counting, and single-handedly raised an impressive £1,600.
Gerry Easton
Gerry Easton
Gerry took on the Chairmanship of the Henley in Arden & District Branch after the deaths of two of its driving forces – the previous Chair and Vice-Chairman – and during the difficult circumstances brought about by Covid-19. Undeterred, he encouraged significant numbers of younger members to join, increased the amount raised during the Poppy Appeal and ensured the branch could still mark VE Day, VJ Day and Remembrance with pride.