RBL Buckfastleigh Branch

04/11/2026

Back in August a visit to Tyne Cott Cemetery and the memorials of the Ypres Salient, Belgium brought Buckfastleigh’s First World War losses into sharp focus.

Among the endless rows of headstones and thousands of names, I paid tribute to eight local men: Corporal Samuel Ash; Privates James Henry Burt, William Henry Hayman, George Henry Loram, Harold Adolphus Tooley and William Henry Bickle; and Sapper Alfred Henry Bonathan.

Finding Private Burt’s grave and the others’ names on memorials at Tyne Cott, the Menin Gate and Ploegsteert was deeply moving. I laid a cross and paid my respects on behalf of our town.

As Remembrance Day approaches, their names will carry even greater meaning when they are read at Holy Trinity, Buckfastleigh.

BUCKFASTLEIGH WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER!

03/11/2026

Members of the Committee met at Holy Trinity Church yard this weekend to lay crosses on the towns war graves.

With All hallows-eve, All Saints and All Souls day, there was no better time to honour and pay our respects. The group was co-ordinate by Vice Chair and Veteran Peter.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM!

01/11/2026

Would £2,000 make your day great? Start playing the Poppy Lottery today for your chance to win great prizes.
Registered with the fundraising regulator.

https://www.poppylottery.org.uk

To enter the lottery, it is necessary to turn on JavaScript. Please follow these instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your web browser.

01/11/2026

Remembrance is for everyone. People from all walks of life are welcome to take part, reflect and remember in a way that feels meaningful to them.
The Two-Minute Silence is a time for the nation to come together and reflect on what it means to serve and sacrifice. It is formally observed on Remembrance Sunday, the second Sunday in November, and on Armistice Day at 11am on 11 November. It can also offer a moment for personal reflection at any time of year.
Taking part is voluntary, but we ask that the moment is respected. The Act of Remembrance is secular and, by its nature, welcoming and universal. Ceremonies may also include readings, poetry, music, or other contributions that speak to specific communities and audiences, helping make each event meaningful for those attending.
The RBL has no objection to wreaths of non-red poppies, or other flowers, being laid at memorials or in Remembrance services alongside red poppy wreaths. We respect the rights and freedoms of groups and individuals to make their own decisions about how they observe Remembrance. However, it is the RBL’s wish that non-red poppies or other flowers are not included within wreaths of red poppies, and that they remain separate, because the red poppy is inclusive of all people.
As Remembrance evolves, so do the ways people choose to pay tribute. Recent tributes at memorials and services have included candles, lanterns, and the placing of stones, among many others.
However you choose to remember, we ask that Remembrance is observed with respect.

01/11/2026

November is very busy time for our Standard Bearer Julia Anne Rouncefield, already one parade down and it's only the 1st of the Month.

Last night she did us the honour of attending the ‘Devon Festival of Remembrance’ at Commando Training Centre, Lympstone.

Which according to Devon Poppy Appeal was a "very moving evening hearing stories from veterans who had served in the Falklands conflict, Iraq and Afghanistan".

Well done Julia, next is the small matter of attending the Royal Albert Hall!

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM!

30/10/2026

Buckfastleigh Royal British Legion needs you! 🇬🇧
You don't need to join the committee - a yearly membership keeps us going.
Join: selfservice.britishlegion.org.uk - Select Buckfastleigh BR3707

30/10/2026

26/10/2026

We launched Buckfastleigh's fundraising for the Poppy Appeal in style on Thursday 22nd October with a presentation to our volunteers and their years of service and to give the organisations of the town who have supported us in our work since reforming in 2016, a big thank you.
Well done to all involved. You don't have to volunteer with our committee to be noticed. Volunteers from gardeners, to those who decorate the church were recognised for their help and involvement. The second year in a row this has now become an annual event.
Thank you to committee, to Kim and Dan at Cold Cuts Catering - food was fantastic, to Buckfastleigh Rangers Football Social Club for hosting and to Ben Davies in the Media Department at Buckfast Abbey for recording the event in photos.
Poppy boxes are in place around town, let's do our best to raise as much money for the Poppy Appeal as possible.

25/10/2026

For over 100 years, the poppy has been a symbol of Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future. It helps us remember the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces Community, as well as the many people and services who have played a part in protecting our freedoms, including the Merchant Navy, emergency services and civilians affected by conflict.
Wearing a poppy is a personal act of remembrance. It is not linked to any political, religious, or ideological group. It is a simple way to honour those who have served, sacrificed, and been affected by conflict.

19/10/2026

What to do if someone needs help:

Contact the RBL via
Telephone: 0808 802 8080
Telephone overseas: +44 (0)20 3376 8080
Calls are free from UK landlines and main mobile networks