About the Legion

The Royal British Legion provides financial, social and emotional support to millions who have served and are currently serving in the Armed Forces, and their dependants. Currently, nearly 10.5 million people are eligible for our support and we receive thousands of calls for help every year.

The Legion was founded in 1921 as a voice for the ex-Service community and over 450,000 members continue to ensure that this voice does not go unheard. Although the needs of ex-Service people have changed over the years, we are still there to safeguard their welfare, interests and memory. British service people are in action around the world every day of the year. They know that if they need our support - now or in the future - the Legion is always on active duty for them.

Shortly after its inception the British Legion adopted the fourth verse of Laurence Binyon's poem, 'For the Fallen' as an Act of Homage or Exhortation.

For the Fallen

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

The Royal British Legion has also adopted the Kohima Epitaph, from the Kohima War Memorial. The words are attributed to John Maxwell Edmonds (1875 -1958).

Kohima Epitaph

When you go home
Tell them of us and say
For your tomorrow
We gave our today

Both the Exhortation and the Kohima Epitaph are recited at every gathering of Legion People.

The Royal British Legion has a long established motto, which applies to Legion Members today as it did when it was first adopted. The motto is:

'SERVICE NOT SELF'

Legion Values

Reflection	-	Through Remembrance of past sacrifice in the cause of freedom.
Hope	-	By remembering the past, a younger generation has the chance of a better future
Comradeship	-	Through shared experience and mutual support.
Selflessness	-	By putting others first.
Service	-	To those in need and in support of the whole community.

The Constitution and Objects of the Legion

The constitution and objects of The Royal British Legion are summarised as follows:

	It is a democratic, non-party-political and non-sectarian organization.
	It exists to promote the welfare of those who are serving or who have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their dependants - that is spouse/partners, children and perhaps other dependants.
	It is important to note that the Legion benevolence extends to all members of the serving and ex-Service community, not just those who belong to the Legion.