A legion of soldiers (From Warrington Guardian)

A legion of soldiers

THE Royal British Legion provides financial, social and emotional support to those who have served and are currently serving in the armed forces, plus their dependents.

Close to 13 million people are eligible. The charity receives about 300,000 calls for help every year and spends about £50 million on welfare assistance.

It also campaigns on issues including Gulf War related illnesses, war pensions and noise induced hearing loss.

But why poppies? The First World War caused widespread devastation to areas of Northern France and Belgium but the poppy flowered every year.

Colonel John McCrae, a doctor serving with the Canadian armed forces, was inspired by them to write a poem, In Flanders Fields. It was published in Punch magazine around the world.

After the war ended an American war secretary read the poem and decided to sell poppies to raise money for the ex-service community.

In 1922 Major George Howson, a

veteran of the First World War, founded the disabled society. He realised that unemployed ex-servicemen could make artificial poppies and so founded a small factory that later became the Royal British Legion poppy factory.

The British Legion - now the Royal British Legion - was formed in 1921 from four separate ex-service organisations.

The first official Legion Poppy Day was held in Britain on November 11, 1921, and has been an annual event ever since.

More than £20 million is raised through the poppy appeal, with other income coming from events, legacies, donations, sponsorship, sales, fees and investments.

The Legion welcomes men and women of all ages to become members, whether or not they have served in the armed forces. Call 020 7973 7266 for details.