New Royal British Legion Hednesford Branch and Friends

16/09/2026

A memorial for those the Armed Forces community has lost to su***de.

The Elysium Memorial Foundation – the UK’s first memorial solely dedicated to veterans and Armed Forces personnel who have died by su***de – was unveiled at the National Memorial Arboretum on Sunday.

Founded by Army veteran Ed Mackenzie after he lost 20 comrades, including his best friend, to su***de, the memorial gives families, friends and fellow service personnel a permanent place to remember those they have lost.

A grant from the Veterans’ Foundation helped Ed turn a deeply personal mission into a permanent memorial for the whole Armed Forces community.

Elysium was created not only as a place to remember those who have died, but to help change the way su***de is talked about across the Armed Forces community – and make it easier for people who are struggling to reach out for help.

We are immensely proud to have played a part in bringing it to life.

If you’re worried about su***de – for yourself or someone you know – support is available.
Samaritans: Call 116 123 free, day or night.
Op COURAGE: Specialist NHS mental health support for veterans, service leavers and reservists.

15/09/2026

Good afternoon

Hednesford Branch RBL will be assisting Poppy Appeal Organiser Paul Jones with the Poppy Appeal 2026.

Hednesford and Heath Hayes appeal commences on 24th October 2026. Our area for collecting is Tesco’s Heath Hayes and Tesco’s Hednesford , schools and local businesses.

We are looking for volunteers to assist in this years appeal collecting donations in both Tesco’s.

If anyone is interested the next Royal British Legion Meeting is on Sunday 20th September 2026 at 11am at The Soldiers Ex Servicemen’s Club Anglesey Street Hednesford. If anyone can help (even for an hour or two) you are cordially invited to attend the meeting.

14/08/2026

14/08/2026

14/08/2026

Hednesford Branch attended the Peace and Reconciliation ceremonies at the Commonwealth and German cemeteries on Tuesday 4th August. Thank you to our Standard Bearers Colin and Harvey.

01/07/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out to mark the 110th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme with us and a big thank you to Matt Hednesford Town Council.

25/06/2026

Wednesday 1st July marks the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme and we will be marking the event with a short service at the Clock Tower in Hednesford starting at 10.45am. Everyone is welcome to join us in paying our respects.

26/04/2026

Huge congratulations to our branch member Dino Lote for completing the London Marathon. Amazing job 👏

26/04/2026

Poignant and meaningful service for ANZAC day. Blessed with sunshine and a wonderful turn out. Thank you Harvey Darby for carrying our standard so proudly.

19/04/2026

Great day out at the National Memorial Arboretum. The weather was kind and we had a wonderful time. If you haven’t been it is a poignant, fascinating and emotional place to visit.