Scholes and Barwick British Legion
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Scholes and Barwick British Legion
Barwicker No. 115
September 2014
The Royal British Legion is there to assist all Armed Forces personnel
both past and present, and their families. From medical services,
companionship, as well as campaigning to support service personnel
both past, present and future in all aspects of their lives, it would
probably be easier to state what the British Legion doesn't do. Many of
us possibly only think about the Royal British Legion on Armistice
Day viz 11 th November or on Remembrance Sunday but they are
constantly at work throughout the UK 365 days a year. From inception
(in 1919) until 1938 the two minutes silence was always held at the
"11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month", regardless of the day of
the week that the 11th fell on. That was changed to the Sunday that we
are now familiar with in 1939, so that the pause in productivity did not
affect wartime production. The tradition of Remembrance Sunday was
thus born, though of course more recently the country has observed
silences on both days.
The Barwick and Scholes British Legion was formed in 1930 many
years after the end of WWI. The Autumn of 2012 nearly brought this
local branch into extinction due to the many other commitments of its
members until Matt Baker intervened and formed a new committee
and recruited members and it has grown steadily since. This year being
the centenary of the outbreak of WWI has seen Matt recruiting new
members, re-introducing an annual dinner, planning of the 3 August
event and organising a visit to the National Memorial Arboretum.
Membership of this local branch is open to all regardless of age or
background and members do not have to be ex-servicemen/women.
There is even a youth membership. There are no rules for joining and
interested people only have to complete a membership form (available
direct from Matt Baker on 0113 3935856, or mobile 07734 389453
e-mail:matt@mattandjillian.com). Meetings are held on the last
Wednesday of every month (except December) and are held at Scholes
Manor House starting at 7.15 pm.
On 3 August this year the local branch of the Royal British Legion will
re-dedicate the war memorials at both Scholes and Barwick. There will
be services in both St Philip's Church at Scholes and All Saints'
Church at Barwick to remember the people who served in WWI.
Many of our local readers will know of, and attend this event, however
I have included it in the September journal for the benefit of those who
do not live locally. As our contribution the Society will put up a
display of photographs of WWI Service personnel, both those who
came back and those who unfortunately lost their lives in the 'war 10
end all wars' and the villages as they were in those days.
The Historical Society would like to thank Matt for taking time out of
his very busy schedule to give me some background for this article.
PAULINE ROBSON
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