This week marks the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Legion.
Wreaths will be laid in West Lothian to mark the centenary this Friday (June 18).
2021 marks 100 years since the start of the Royal British Legion Scotland (as it is known today).
At the conclusion of the First World War there were millions of service personnel seeking to reestablish themselves in civilian life, and many hundreds of thousands of women and children were left widowed and fatherless.
Secretary of the Livingston branch, David Cutler, explained: “In 1920 Earl Haig and those associated with him, the leaders of the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers, the National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers, the Comrades of the Great War and the Officer’s Association set to work to bring the organisations together for form a united body to support the ex-service community.
“Thus, the Legion was born, with the first Unity Conference taking place on the 18th June 1921, at St Cuthbert’s Church, in Edinburgh and the title of The British Legion was adopted.
“The name was amended in August 1921 to The British Legion (Scotland), later amended in 1950 to The British Legion Scotland and on our 50th Anniversary in 1971 granted today’s title The Royal British Legion Scotland by HM The Queen, the Legion’s Patron.”
To mark the event, at 11am on Friday, Livingston Branch will be laying wreaths at both the civic centre memorial and at Livingston Village memorial at the village kirk.
David continued: “This is a momentous year for Royal British Legion Scotland and despite the challenges ahead, as we continue to navigate through a world wide pandemic, we will mark it in a fitting manner.
“The memorial at Livingston Village is inscribed ‘In Remembrance’ by British Legion Womens’ Section and Friends, Livingston Station.
“The Standard of the Royal British Legion Scotland, Livingston Branch, Ladies Section will be carried by Tracy Duke with the wreath being laid by JC Burns, Livingston Branch’s eldest member.”
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