The Rectory, Greenford Magna - The Parish of Greenford Magna
The Rectory, Greenford Magna - The Parish of Greenford Magna
The Rectory, Greenford Magna - The Parish of Greenford Magna
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<strong>The</strong> Legion<br />
Or, as the late Lord Molloy delighted to intone in his mellifluous Welsh voice, <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>Greenford</strong> Branch <strong>of</strong> the Royal British Legion.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are two faces to the Legion: the Branch and the Club. <strong>The</strong> Club is a drinking<br />
club and a place for people to meet friends and enjoy the company <strong>of</strong> like-minded<br />
people. <strong>The</strong> Branch is a serious group <strong>of</strong> people who do their best to serve the needs<br />
<strong>of</strong> many victims <strong>of</strong> war, both soldiers and widows. Although not very much noticed,<br />
the support <strong>of</strong>fered by Branch volunteers is a significant contribution to the social<br />
well-being <strong>of</strong> many people in <strong>Greenford</strong> and the area.<br />
It is, <strong>of</strong> course, possible to enjoy the Club and be a hard-working Branch member!<br />
As Honorary Chaplain to the Branch, I frequently <strong>of</strong>ficiate at funerals <strong>of</strong> members and<br />
the Union Standard <strong>of</strong>ten flies at half-mast, as it does in the picture. As time goes by,<br />
the ageing process makes a visible impact on the membership, but they all retain a<br />
sense <strong>of</strong> pride and achievement in particular at how Britain stood firm against Hitler’s<br />
fascism. It was ordinary men and women, like the people who come to the club<br />
house, who took the defence <strong>of</strong> liberty seriously enough to risk their life and limbs.<br />
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