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County Information Sheet November 09
HISTORIAN SEEKS MEMOIRS BY FORGOTTEN HEROES OF THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME
Historian Hugh Sebag-Montefiore is looking for accounts by soldiers who served in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, or any other regiment, during the July-November 1916 battle of the Somme . This is in connection with a book on the fighting on the Somme commissioned by Penguin which he is researching. The book will focus on the capture or attempted capture of the chain of villages and strongpoints which had to be overcome if the German line was to be broken and will cover actions involving the 1 st , 6 th and 7 th battalions of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. These actions will include by way of illustration only the 1 st DCLI's capture of Wedge Wood, near Guillemont, on 3/9/1916 ; the 6 th DCLI's capture of Edge Street in Delville Wood on 18/8/1916 ; and the 7 th DCLI's capture of German trenches south of the Ginchy-Lesboeufs road on 16/9/1916 . Contact Hugh Sebag-Montefiore at 37 Tanza Road , London NW3 2UA , on 0207-435-1035 or at sebags@hsmontefiore.com
Central Branch Chairman hands over the reins
On 18th June 2009 at the County Rally Bob Davidson the Chairman of Central (Kernow) Branch stood down due to ill health. The Vice Chairman Bill Dent has taken up the reins. Bob Davidson will be a hard act to follow. His hard work on behalf of Central Branch has seen it flourish into a Branch of some standing instead of being the “County Holding Branch.” Gratefully his knowledge advice and enthusiasm will still be available to us. The County Chairman Clive Rawson took part in the ‘transfer’ event at the County Rally in Truro.
The Lister Cup comes to Cornwall
The Lister Cup is a prestigious National Award presented to the Branch which has made most progress throughout the year and achieved a high standard of efficiency in all respects. It has been won in 2009 by Tideford and St Germans and it is the first time the cup has come to Cornwall. The citation reads ‘both membership numbers and Poppy Appeal totals are rising and the Branch has a high and respected reputation within the local area…it has raised the bar in promoting the Legion...’ Well done Tideford and St Germans.
In the photograph the Chairman Jon Holmes receives the cup from the Branch delegate Tony Gardner. They are flanked by the Standard Bearer, Phil Searle and on the right the Poppy Appeal organiser, Clare Hicks with the Membership Secretary, Sue Murch.
Heroes Return 2 - Big Lottery grants for Veterans Travel
WW2 veterans from the UK, Channel Islands and Republic of Ireland can apply for travel and accommodation costs to visit the places where they saw active service. They can also receive funding to take part in an official commemoration in the UK. Veterans who fought with or alongside British forces in World War 2 and who are resident in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. War widows and widowers of veterans are also eligible for funding, and carers and spouses can receive funding to travel with veterans. See the Big Lottery web site for details.
Poppy Travel, the Royal British Legion's official travel arm is coordinating travel for 
veterans
who have obtained funding from the Big Lottery. More will be published by the County as soon as we know more. We aim to have contacts in both the East and West of the county who will be able to offer advice.
Do you know a WW2 veteran who might wish to take advantage of the scheme, if so take a look at the Big Lottery and Poppy Travel web sites.
Diane comes up trumps again
The Royal British Legion regional standard bearer’s competition took place on Saturday 28th February 2009 at Honiton RBL club. Pictured here are the winners, on the left is Mr. Fred Pitman, Bath branch Somerset County and on the right is Mrs. Diane Marrazza, Mousehole Branch Cornwall County Women’s Section. Both winners will represent the five counties of the South-West in national competition's in April and May.
Well done once again to Diane.
'Poppy Calls' and Cornwall County Fire Brigade Partner Up For Safer Homes
Cornwall County Fire Brigade has today announced a brand new partnership with ‘Poppy Calls’, the free of charge gardening, repairs and maintenance service from The British Legion, aimed at veterans, ex service personnel and their widows/widowers. The ‘Poppy Calls’ service and Cornwall County Fire Brigade will be working together across Cornwall, to each in turn ensure Home Fire Safety Checks and necessary home repairs are carried out in older or disabled veterans’ homes. Ian explains, “In my work for ‘Poppy Calls’ I come across a lot of people who are either older or may have been disabled in the line of duty. They may not only need work doing around the house but need help with checking that they are safe from accidents. I have previously been a Fire Chief in the Royal Navy so it was only natural for me to check smoke alarms and exit routes while I was in people’s homes. It was then that I realised I could help with the Brigade’s work in checking the homes of older and more vulnerable people, and Steve Benney, who I contacted, was extremely enthusiastic. Read More Poppy Calls can be contacted by calling 01480 478031
Permission to use this image and create the deep link has been kindly granted by the Daily Telegraph
Frontline: Our troops overseas
- Sniper fears as seven British soldiers killed by same gun
- More troops to be sent to fight Taliban
- Paras to have Army's full backing over any Afghan prosecutions
- Gagging order for families of servicemen killed in Iraq Hercules crash
Return to Rationing?
The Royal British Legion have joined forces with the national older persons’ charity Age Concern to launch a campaign aimed at increasing the incomes of older people living in poverty.
Against a background of a looming recession, the credit crunch, rising taxes and fuel and food costs the Legion’s Return to Rationing campaign is designed to highlight the huge struggle the elderly – many of whom are part of the ex-Service community – have just to make to ends meet.
The campaign was launched today at the Dig for Victory exhibit in St James’s Park, London - a poignant reminder of the deprivation suffered by millions of British people during the Second World War.
Director General of The Royal British Legion, Chris Simpkins, said:
“We all thought rationing was history. But we were wrong. Even the Chancellor says we’re facing the worst economic time in 60 years and this has a crushing impact on the elderly. The Government must give them the help they deserve - making it easier for them to access their entitlements and giving them a level of income to ensure their basic needs are met.”
HQ Publications and News
A number of documents are available on The Royal British Legion web site which you may find useful. Follow the links below for more information. All of these links will open a new browser window so be sure to close it when finished.
About The Legion - latest edition
Honour the Covenant 
The Legion believes that our Service men and women deserve more from their government. They deserve immediate medical treatment and just compensation if they are injured. Do you agree? Click the image to visit the Honour Covenant web site.
Britains Small Wars
If you were not involved in these conflicts but would like to know more, why not visit Britains-Small Wars for more information.