Web Site

The Lyme Regis branch is putting together its own website. Watch this space. Information regarding The Annual General meeting of the Lyme Regis branch please go to the information page

A meeting of the RBLegion and Magna

The above picture we taken when both the Manager of Magna Housing Lyme Regis and the Chairman of the Royal British Legion Lyme Regis Branch met to discuss the way forward after our very successful Festival week in Lyme Regis . We both felt that we had developed a strong community spirit between both parties and would like to carry it on in the future years `

Magna's tremendous support

Diana Gooding, Chairman of Magna Housing's Western Area Panel, presents a cheque of £1000 to Ken Whetlor,Chairman of the Lyme Regis Branch of the Royal British Legion .

Bethany Chapel,Coombe St, Lyme Regis

To all members of the Royal British Legion and for those who are not, perhaps on Sunday you would like to meet me Ken Whetlor Chairman of the RBL Lyme Regis branch for an hour at the Chapel and hear more of what the SASRA has done for the Association over the years. The tea is good ! Look forward to seeing you.

Lyme Regis Dedication

The Lyme Regis Branch attended all graves of the fallen on the 10th November 2007. HMS Formidable lost at sea is the dedication in the picture above.

Chairman Lyme Regis Branch opening the dedication ceremony to the Polish War memorial in Anning road . Jadwiga Lavery and her great grand daughter Ellen, laying the first wreath at the blessing of the Polish Airforce memorial .

Live Night at the Royal Lion hear the latest interviews and listen to the Festival of Remembrance Night

http://www.lymeregisradio.com/sound/FOR28oct07.html

Festival of Remembrance Marine Theatre 2007 +

Once again we had a magnificent evening with a pack house and a very full programme. As Chairman my sincere thanks on behalf of all our Legion members for the help that was needed to put put on this show. It would be easy to single out certain members for there contribution but with out the joint effort of many the show would not go on A few pictures on the night

This is the programme of events for the Festival of Remembrance

1) Sunday 28th October at 7.30 pm: FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE at the Marine Theatre.


2) Saturday 10th November at 12 noon: BLESSING OF THE POLISH AIRFORCE MEMORIAL on Anning Rd. (Rt Hon. Oliver Letwin MP will be present)


3) Sunday 11th November at 11.00 am: TWO MINUTES SILENCE signalled by the firing of a maroon at the War Memorial Monmouth Street


4) Sunday 11th November REMEMBRANCE DAY PARADE leaving Langmoor Gardens at 2.40 pm for a service at 3.00pm at at St. Michael’s Parish Church

Parade Marshall : Mr Cecil Quick President of the Royal British Legion ( Lyme Regis)
.

This, as you can see, is a busy period for us, but our committee sincerely hope that you be able to attend.

All in a good cause

THEY DID IT! (DARTMOOR)


Through atrocious conditions the Royal British Legion team of David Manners, David Humphrey, Terry White & Cheryl White successfully completed the 30 mile 2007 Dartmoor Challenge in aid of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal at the weekend.

Former Lt. Cdr. David Manners said that the conditions on the north moor on Saturday were amongst the worst he’d seen for some years: horizontal rain, gale force winds and at times less than 75 metres visibility. Nevertheless they still enjoyed it!

Having stayed overnight in Princetown and met up with former Lyme Regis Vicar, the Revd. John Andrews and his wife, Margaret, the team set off on to the south moor on Sunday and completed the mammoth “yomp” soon after 2.00 pm.

Mr Manners said the entire team are very grateful for all of the support and generosity of both residents and businesses alike and thanked their drivers, Murray Kirkby and Graham Marler and also Rob and Debbie Hamon of the Nag’s Head who laid on a barbecue for the team and their families on Sunday evening.

The total money pledged to date is due to exceed £1,300 for the Lyme Regis Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Poppy Appeal Organiser for Lyme Regis, Angela Manners, said “I was somewhat disappointed when we had to cease the House to House collections and this phenomenal sum is a tremendous boost to the Poppy Appeal. The team achieved a magnificent feat and I extend my thanks to them and the many, many people who sponsored them.”

Festival Remembrance Albert Hall

Any members and friends wishing to go to this wonderful evening in November please contact me for information on 01297442811 or email :ken.whetlor@talk21.com regarding tickets.Chairman /Secretary Ken Whetlor

Two local members of the branch who are committee members and Falklands veterans. They will be marching with us in the November parades. Also there is information of interest on the info page you might like to read .

Memorial of the HMS Formidable

HMS Formidable was a 15,000 ton battleship which was torpedoed and sunk just after midnight on 1st January 1915 in Lyme Bay. It is now regarded as the first major naval disaster of WWI. She had been built in 1901, had four 12” guns and was part of the Atlantic Fleet. Out of the ship’s complement of 750 only 199 were saved. A small number of survivors reached Lyme Regis where sadly some of them died and were buried in Lyme Regis cemetery. One man, Able Seaman Cowan was one man thought to be deceased and his body was laid out in the Pilot Boat Inn. However, the landlord’s dog, Lassie, a rough Collie, licked the frail sailor and he regained consciousness. This story is believed to be the origins of the famous Lassie of the Hollywood films.

If you double click either one of these three photos they will enlarge enough to tell you the names of the men who died

In 1942 Czech Parachutists attacked the tyrant Protector of Bohemia & Moravia ,S.S. General Reinhard Heydrich who died of his wounds. When I visited Royal Leamington Spa recently on behalf of the National Council,because of my association with the Legion from members of those towns I learn many stories This is one such story .Its about seven Czech parachutists who were killed in Praque in June 1942 , after two of them attacked the above Nazi. In response the Nazis flattened the villages of Lidice and Lazaky either murdering the residents or sending them to concenstration camps .From 1940 until 1942 a house in Newbold terrace in Leamington was the Headquarters of the 3000 strong Czech free brigade and it was here that the parachute drops and assination of Heydrich were planned. We will remember them.




Who turned out the light ?



The President and the Chairman in the dark as usual ?





Chairman notes .
A Mrs Pat Mills sent me the following letter this week and very special it was.

"I found your name on a website and I am hoping as you have a connection to British Legion who may know the whereabouts of the WW1 war memorial to the sailors of HMS Formidable lost when it was sunk on January 1st 1915. I have tried web searches without success. My great uncle a Walter Cullen was lost at that time and I am trying to find a photo of this memorial All I have is a small torn piece of newspaper cutting showing part of a memorial and the words erected in Lyme Regis cemetery and the name HMS Formidable. Bit of an unusual request for a councillor but I hope you can help me. Regards Mrs Pat Mills in Hampshire. "



I passed this letter on to David Manners and his reply is below.



Dear Sir,
Your email has been passed to me by our Chairman of the RBL in Lyme Regis. There is indeed a memorial to the the men lost as a result of the sinking of HMS Formidable in Lyme Regis cemetery. It is not only a memorial, but the last resting place of 6 men who died soon after reaching shore in 1915. Sadly, Mr. Walter Cullen is not one of those named.
Each Remembrance tide the RBL committee lay a wreath on the memorial and a period of silence is obeyed and a wreath laid.
Should you ever wish to visit the site, the cemetery is always open during daylight hours or if you wish me to show you the grave.

Kind regards David Manners (Lt.Cdr.RNR rtd)


Award winner Treasurer Mr Martin Jones and Mr Cecil Quick