Ireland Joins British Legion Remembrance

The Royal British Legion has launched this year’s fund-raising campaign to help its work supporting ex-servicemen and women and their dependents.

While a poster campaign highlighting both the sacrifices of servicemen and women and the current needs of injured troops, bereaved families and ageing veterans has kicked off the main UK celebrations, there are numerous different commemorations being organised.

There is even one event that is taking place in the Irish Republic.

Ex servicemen and women from Whiteabbey Royal British Legion in County Antrim and guests will be at the war memorial in Mary Street in Drogheda on 3rd November, along with members of the Irish Ex Servicemens' Association and a senior representative of the British Ambassador in Dublin. About 200 people attended the now annual event last year.

They will each lay wreaths as part of an inter-denominational service to recall the men from all over the island of Ireland who were killed or wounded in the British army during WWI.

Meanwhile, the national poppy appeal – in advance of the main commemoration on 11 November in London - is this year being accompanied by posters showing ex-servicemen and bereaved families, supported by a human-like figure made from poppies.

The organisation hopes the posters will raise awareness and donations ahead of Remembrance Sunday.

Its goal is to raise £27.5m this year, an increase of £1.5m from 2006.

With continuing British military commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Royal British Legion says its work is more vital than ever to the well being of servicemen and women and their families.

It is helping a new generation of young veterans, and in the past year alone it has seen a 30% rise in the number of people under the age of 35 who have sought its help.

Each year the Poppy Appeal distributes around 36 million poppies, 100,000 wreaths and sprays and 750,000 little remembrance crosses.

A poppy can be worn at any time, but they are usually available two weeks before Remembrance Sunday, which this year is on both the day and date, Sunday, 11 November, which marks the original Armistice Day.

(BMcC)