Royal British Legion District of Germany News

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Jim Gets Life

Chairman of the Paderborn Branch Royal British Legion is awarde Life Membership of the Royal British Legion

A very special award was made to Jim Griffiths MBE at the Poppy Inn weekly Bingo session on April 14, 2010. Jim was awarded the Royal British Legion’s second highest award of National Life Membership for meritorious service which is considered above and beyond the call of his voluntary duties.

In order for Jim to receive this award, he had to be nominated by the Branch Committee, which was a not an easy task as the vote had to be made without Jim’s knowledge. A citation was submitted by the Branch and supported by the District of Germany Awards Committee before final approval from the Trustees of the Legion.

Jim has dedicated 24 years of his life helping those in need on behalf of the Royal British Legion and is an example of the Legion’s Motto “Service not Self”. He has been the driving force behind the raising of approximately 350 to 400 thousand Euros for the Legion’s Poppy Appeal. Just two of his initiatives since forming the branch in 1986 have been Annual Car Boot Sales and the BFG Fun Run which is also an annual event. His work over the years includes being Branch Chairman, Branch Welfare Committee Chairman, and Branch Poppy Appeal organiser. He was also the District of Germany Poppy Appeal Coordinator. He has continued to foster good relations between Paderborn Garrison and the local community.

Jim was presented the award by Eddie Hefferman MBE, Overseas Representative of the Royal British Legion Board of Trustees. All those present stood up to show their appreciation with an outstanding round of applause. Jim thanked his committee, all Paderborn members. He also gave a big big thanks to all of the bingo players for supporting the Paderborn Branch.

BFG Veterans Day

26 June 2010

Mansergh Barracks, Gütersloh

HQ Gütersloh Garrison are holding a Veterans Day celebration between 10:00-14:30 on the 26th June. All veterans living in Germany are invited.

Entry is for Veterans residing in Germany and will be strictly controlled. Only those Veterans who have pre-registered will be given access.

To register, call: 05241 842989 or 05221 9953571, Fax: 05241 842567 or E-mail: Joanne.ellis303@mod.uk or GuterslohGar-GTO-HF-Clk4@mod.uk

District Annual Conference & Standard Bearer’s Competition 2010

Rheindahlen

The conference took place in the Globe Cinema at Rheindahlen on Saturday the 16th of January 2010. The venue prepared by Rheindahlen Branch, who were the hosts for this year's event, with the Standard Bearers Competition taking place early on that same morning.

The two guest speakers at this year’s conference were on the Left Mr Peter Cleminson FIET (RBL National Chairman) and Major General Nick Caplin, General Officer Commanding, United Kingdom Support Command. Both speakers gave enlightening talks to those present.

As always all district committee members, branch delegates plus a representation of branch standard bearers were in attendance.

The presentation of The Standard Bearers shield for the year 2010 was made by Lt Colonel (Ret’d) David Wilkinson the RBL District of Germany President to this years competition winner Keith Smith from the Paderborn branch who was competing in the competition for his very first time, he showed a very high standard of turnout and bearing in order to win a tightly run contest. This year’s standard was very high and all competitors are to be congratulated.

Awards Made at Conference

This year’s only award which was made to Christ Price for her outstanding contribution to the Royal British Legions many fields of work. She is the Secretary of the following departments, Women’s Section, Sauerland Branch and the District Advisory Committee.

Christa is also an active case worker for her branch welfare organisation and also devotes some of her time driving the District Vice Chairwoman on her duties. All in all Christa is a very worthy recipient and is to be congratulated at the presentation of her District of Germany award.

District PRO

Simon (Pim) Hogben

Photos of the Conference, Standard Bearer's competition and the social event on the evening can be seen via this link.

Treasurer's Seminar 15 August 2009

Depending on numbers it is proposed to hold the Seminar in the Herford Branch, Wentworth Barracks, Liststr, Herford. The Seminar will commence at 10:00 and is expected to be finished no later than 16:00. More details can be obtained from the District Treasurer, Tel 05703 2922, E-Mail: ken.adams@t-online.de.

My Daddy is a Soldier

The children of our soldiers are missing their fathers more than ever as they serve Britain on more frequent tours across the world. My Daddy Is A Soldier aims to support young children and families dealing with soldiers deployments overseas.

The book was written for charity by Gerry Waters, a soldiers wife in Germany. All the proceeds go to the Afghan Appeal Fund and more information and sales of the book are available at www.mydaddyisasoldier.co.uk.

Royal British Legion District of Germany Conference 2009

On Saturday, January 17, Bob Lacey handed over the leadership of the Royal British Legion, District of Germany to its new Chairman, Steve Reid at the District Annual Conference in the Kurhaus, Bad-Fallingbostel. Bob has been the District Chairman since 2006. During his tenure he has been at the forefront of many initiatives within the District and was instrumental in the reforming of the Gutersloh Branch. He joined the Minden Branch of the Royal British Legion in 1993 and has represented the District at the Royal British Legion Annual Conference for the last 3 years. Despite retiring in January 2008, Bob put his personal life on hold to fulfil his tenure. He will be moving back to the UK at the end of this month. Bob is always reminding the members of the Legion Motto “Service not Self”. In appreciation he was presented with a District Award by Lt Col (Retd) David Wilkinson, District President.

Steve Reid is based in Rheindahlen and is also the Chairman of the Rheindahlen Branch. He brings a wealth of managerial experience, which he can draw on during his voluntary term of office. He joined the Royal British Legion in 1995. He is an ex Warrant Officer Class one. He is a former Group Scout Leader who holds a Chief Scout’s Commendation. He has been recognised in the past for his efforts with commendations from his Brigade Commander and the GOC.

The new heart of the District Management, Steve Ried and Robert Millar.

Standard Bearer's Competition

On the morning of the Conference, the District Standard Bearer’s Competition was held with 6 contestants from different branches within Germany. The Competition was won by Cpl Mike Kirkham-Ingram from the Bergen-Hohne Branch. Mike is a serving soldier with 32 Engineer Regiment in Hohne. Mike carried his Branch Standard at the Poppy Appeal Launch in Basra. Peter Cleminson, National Chairman of the Royal British Legion was so impressed with Mike's commitment and standard bearer skills that he nominated him for one of the Legion's highest awards for conspicuous meritorious service. He was presented with his Gold Badge at Conference by John Farmer, National Vice-Chairman. Mike was appointed as the District Standard bearer for one year and will hopefully represent the District at many ceremonial events throughout the year.

Award for Vice-Chairman

In recognition of her years of selfless service, Joan Hatton was presented with a District Award by the District President. Joan was re-elected as the District Vice-Chairman at Conference. She joined the Sauerland Branch of The Royal British Legion in 1997 at its inaugural meeting. Within the Branch she has held the offices of Poppy Appeal Organiser and Chairman She is a case-worker and has been the Branch delegate to the Royal British Legion Annual Conference. She joined the Germany Branch of the Women’s Section at its inaugural meeting in 2000. In 2001, Joan was elected as the Chairman of the Women’s Section and still holds this post today.

Les Greaves MBE

Les Greaves past Chairman of Osnabrück was awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. However the presentation was only made just recently by the British Ambassador. He was rewarded for helping the ex-service community.

Veteran's Web Page

The Veterans' web page on BFGNet is now live and available for general viewing. It can be found at: http://www.bfgnet.de/BFGVets.html .

District Annual Conference & Standard Bearer’s Competition 2008. Rheindahlen

The conference took place in the Globe Cinema at Rheindahlen on Saturday the 12th of January. The venue prepared by Rheindahlen Branch, who were the hosts for this year's event, with the Standard Bearers Competition taking place early on that same morning.

The two guest speakers at this year’s conference were Air Marshal Ian McFadyen (RBL National President) and Major General Melvin OBE, General Officer Commanding, United Kingdom Support Command ( Germany). Both speakers gave enlightening talks to those present.

As always all district committee members, branch delegates plus the majority of branch standard bearers were in attendance.

The presentation of The Standard Bearers shield was made by Ian McFadyen the RBL National President to this years competition winner Robert Adams from the Osnabruck branch who beat last years winner Melvin Jones also from Osnabruck who came joint second along with Tony Chapman from Münster Branch.

This year also saw the handover of Badge of Office from the District of Germany President Maj (Ret’d) Clive Candlin after a 9 year term of office to the incoming elected Lt Col (Ret’d) David Wilkinson late RE, GTO Herford and Guetersloh.

Awards Made at Conference

Jim Griffiths MBE received a long overdue award of his RBL ‘Gold Badge’ the application for this award was made by the Paderborn Branch, sanctioned by the District Committee and final approval was made by the ‘ Board of Trustees ‘ in the United Kingdom. (Presentation by the ‘National President’ Air Marshal Ian McFadyen).

Two other District awards were made at conference to Marion Perry and Jens Hefferman for their hard work in both the Herford Branch and District Headquarters neither person was in attendance and so Terry Salmon accepted these awards on their behalf.

All in all a fully packed and well organised conference was attended and enjoyed by many. The district would like to wish Clive Candlin and his good lady all the best for their retirement and wish them boundless success in whatever their future life should offer up.

Simon (Pim) Hogben

District PRO

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