31/05/2026
Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, fellow members, veterans, and friends.
Welcome, and thank you all for being here today to mark a truly momentous occasion: the Centenary of the Filey Branch of the Royal British Legion.
One hundred years. It is a milestone that invites us to look back with immense pride, to look around us with deep gratitude, and to look forward with renewed purpose.
A century ago, the founders of this branch came together in the wake of the Great War. They returned to Filey—our beautiful stretch of the North Yorkshire coast—forever changed by what they had seen and endured. They recognized a profound need: to support those who carried the visible and invisible scars of battle, to provide for the widows and children left behind, and to ensure that the sacrifices of their fallen comrades would never be forgotten.
They built this branch on the Legion’s enduring motto: "Service Not Self." And what a legacy of service they began.
Over the past one hundred years, the Filey Branch has been a pillar of our community. Through the darkest days of the Second World War, through conflicts in Korea, the Falklands, Iraq, Afghanistan, and numerous peacekeeping missions, this branch has stood steadfast.
But the work of the Legion has never just been about the battlefield; it is about the home front. It is about the welfare officer making a quiet visit to a veteran struggling to adjust to civilian life. It is about the volunteers standing in the bracing sea wind every November, holding a tray of poppies. It is about combating loneliness, providing a listening ear, and offering a place of camaraderie and belonging.
To the people of Filey, you have always answered the call. Your generosity during the Poppy Appeal year after year has been nothing short of remarkable, proving that the heart of this community beats strong for its armed forces.
Today, we must pay tribute to the people who have kept the flame alive. To the past Presidents, Chairmen, standard-bearers, and committee members who gave their time so freely—we stand on your shoulders.
To our current members and volunteers: thank you. Whether you have served in uniform or simply care deeply about those who have, your dedication is the lifeblood of this branch. As we celebrate our past, we must also look to our future. The needs of our armed forces community are ever evolving, but they are no less urgent than they were in 1926. The baton of remembrance and support has now passed to us, and eventually it will to the next generation. We must ensure that Filey Branch remains a beacon of hope, respect, and practical help for the next hundred years’