Oldbury Royal British Legion

27/11/2025

Had the pleasure to attend the TS Albion, Sandwell & Kidderminster Sea & Royal Marines Cadets Award and Presentation evening tonight.

Blackheath and Oldbury Royal British Legion Branches, were in attendance, alongside Dave Healey, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant, who is also president of the cadet unit.

Our Standard Bearer Colin Hickling, was present, Oldbury, are very honoured to be affiliated with such an excellent unit, as I am sure Blackheath Royal British Legion Branch are.

Colin, Alex (Blackheath RBL), Dave Healey and I were extremely honoured to be asked to present awards to cadets and volunteers on the night.

Both Blackheath and Oldbury Branches were presented with partnership awards from the cadet unit, which was a shock.

The cadets, officers and volunteers are exemplary, and we are extremely proud to work alongside them.

Our sincere thanks to everyone.

Richard Dodds
Oldbury Royal British Legion Branch Secretary

23/11/2025

Apologies I know this is a bit late notice, but this has just popped up
https://www.facebook.com/share/1UwEZ94WPx/

Good work and thank you to those who brought this to the attention of the Sapper Family. We can confirm that there will be a presence from the Derby Royal Engineers Association, Sheffield Royal Engineers Association and the Chesterfield Royal Engineers Association.

21/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/17pMeKHAim/

21/11/2025

Last Saturdays Remembrance service in Smethwick https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1HiRAGX7eq/

20/11/2025

Funeral update, Mrs Hilda May Williams.

Date: 26th November 2025
Time: 13.45
Location: Sandwell Valley Crematorium, West Bromwich.

Mrs Hilda Williams. former Women’s Army veteran, Oldbury Royal British Legion Branch Chairman, and Poppy Appeal Organiser, who had been in hospital since the 3rd of August following a fall, passed away earlier this month.

Hilda was a great friend to everyone, a sounding board and mentor, she did great things for the Branch, including running many successful Poppy Appeals, alongside her husband David and other volunteers that helped to raise a substantial amount of money for the Poppy Appeal over their many years of service.

Keeping the branch afloat as chairman, welfare chairman, hospital visitor and she even carried the Branch and Women’s Section Standard on occasions.

Hilda served the Oldbury service community for over 45 years until her health issues came to the fore.

She was a gold badge holder, life member of the Royal British Legion and was given the highest honour the Royal British Legion can convey to a volunteer the National Certificate of Appreciation, presented at National Conference.

Richard Dodds
Oldbury Royal British Legion Branch Secretary

18/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16kMSH3Yhe/

Cheryl lives with her husband, Chris, who serves in the Army, and their two children. Both children are autistic and have significant speech and language developmental delays.

During his 20 years of service, Chris has been deployed all over the world including to Iraq and Afghanistan.

While Cheryl is proud of his service, the nature of Army life brings major challenges for their family.

“It’s hard to explain time to a child, especially when they’re non-verbal. They just know Daddy’s not there.”

The average wait for an autism diagnosis is now three to four years, leaving many military families without support as they move regularly.

“You go right back to the bottom of the waiting list. Children miss out on vital support during those early years when intervention can make the biggest difference.

“The time now is for those who have signed the Covenant to deliver on what is promised in it so that forces families are not left behind or left isolated.”

Add your name to our Open Letter, so we can hold the Government to account and push for a stronger Armed Forces Covenant – so that families like Cheryl’s get the support they need and deserve ⬇️

http://spklr.io/FB-KeepCovenantPromise

17/11/2025

This might be of interest to some of our members.

Earlier this month, a memorial was held in Parliament to mark the passing of 2 asian veterans of World War 2: Havildar Major Rajinder Singh Dhatt MBE, and Sgt Muhammad Hussain.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/09/british-asian-families-share-stories-greatest-generation-fought-for-britain

Think Tank British Future and Eastern Eye newspaper, with support from the Royal British Legion have launched the My Family Legacy website to capture the stories of those from the Indian sub-continent who served in the 2nd World War.

Read more, and submit detaols of your relatives at
https://www.myfamilylegacy.org.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/share/1F6yPZrreE/

Half of UK public unaware of contribution made by 2.5m British Asian members of armed forces who served in second world war

15/11/2025

🚨🏅 Help us reunite a veteran with his stolen war medals 🎖️

On Armistice Day (11 November), while paying his respects at a remembrance service, a military veteran returned home to find his house in Broadwell, near Carterton, had been burgled.

Among the items stolen were medals of priceless sentimental value – his grandfather’s World War I medals (1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, engraved with the name Driver John Ball) and several of his own miniature service medals, including:
• GSM Northern Ireland
• Afghanistan
• Iraq with Bar
• Kosovo
• Accumulated Campaign Service Medal
• 2 x Jubilee Medals
• Long Service & Good Conduct Medal

These medals represent a lifetime of service and sacrifice – and their loss on a day meant to honour those who served makes this crime especially heart breaking.

We are asking your help to bring these medals home. If you have any information, or if you have been offered medals matching this description, please contact Thames Valley Police on 101, quoting reference 43250576565, or report online.

You can also share information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please, help us return these treasured medals to their rightful owner. They may not hold great monetary value, but to this family, they are priceless.

15/11/2025

Oldbury Royal British Legion Branch had the honour and privilege to be invited to The Lions of the Great War Remembrance Service today organised by the Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick.

Together with the Mayor of Sandwell Councillor Steve Melia, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, local MP, representatives of Sandwell Council, other dignitaries, representatives of different faiths and religions, an amazing community and a lot of children, to remember those of all faiths, from the Commonwealth who fought for this country in two world wars, some giving the ultimate sacrifice.

As our chairman is unwell, I was asked to lay a wreath on behalf of Oldbury Royal British Legion, which was an honour to do.

What a wonderful community event, where all faiths and religions came together to honour those who served, We Will Remember Them.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
(The Khalsa belongs to the Almighty Lord, Victory belongs to the Almighty Lord)

14/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1A7rhHZuiF/

Today we join the entire Armed Forces community in wishing His Majesty The King a very happy birthday 🎉

As patron of the Royal British Legion and Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces, we are immensely thankful for his faithful service and unwavering dedication to the Armed Forces.

14/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1C5zeo175o/

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
(The Khalsa belongs to the Almighty Lord, Victory belongs to the Almighty Lord)

LIONS OF THE GREAT WAR MEMORIAL EVENT

Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick warmly invites you all to join us on Saturday 15th November 2025 at 10.00am as we commemorate the 107th anniversary of the end of the Great War.

This special and inspiring morning will honour the extraordinary bravery, sacrifices and contributions of the service personnel who fought during the First World War and Second World War, overcoming immense challenges in the hope of building a safer and better future for all.

We look forward to welcoming you on Saturday 15th November 2025 for what promises to be a meaningful and memorable day celebrating a proud, diverse and united United Kingdom and paying tribute to all those remembered at the Lions of the Great War Memorial.

12/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1HS5XScjr9/