The Royal British Legion - Paignton Branch

14/06/2026

On 2nd April 1982 the British overseas territory of the Falkland Islands was invaded.

Despite the huge distance involved - the Falklands are 8,000 miles away in the South Atlantic – the country undertook the extraordinary feat of assembling and sending a task force of 127 warships and rapidly refitted merchant ships to the Falklands. The task force sailed just 3 days later on 5th April 1982, on route to Ascension Island. On the 18th April the reinforced taskforce left Ascension Island arriving at the Falklands on 30th April.

On 11th June 1982, Corporal Jeremy Smith, a Royal Marine and a Torquay lad, fought and made the ultimate sacrifice during the battle of Mount Harriet in the East Falklands. Corporal Laurence G Watts, a fellow Royal Marine, was also killed during this battle. The total casualty list was 2 killed and thirty wounded during the action. Eighteen Argentinians were also killed whilst defending Mount Harriet, with 300 captured.

Although the total campaign lasted 10 weeks; the first shot was fired on 25th April 1982 and the last just 20 days later on 14th June 1982 leaving the families left to count the cost.

On this, the 44th anniversary of the end of the Falkland conflict we remember the 255 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Merchant Navy sailors who lost their lives during the conflict. Sadly, a further 22 died of their wounds in subsequent weeks, bringing the total death toll to 277.

This included a Torbay lad, an ex-member of 200 (Torquay) Squadron ATC Corporal Jeremy Smith of 42 Commando.

3 Falkland Islanders were also killed and 755 British Service personnel were wounded.

7 ships were lost with 9 aircraft shot down.

Argentinian losses were 649 killed 1657 wounded and 11,400 captured.

This morning, members of Paignton, Torquay and Newton Abbot Branches of the RBL, with members of the Royal Naval Association and the Merchant Navy Association, together the bay’s MP, local dignitaries and members of the public, gathered at the Paignton War Memorial to remember them.

11/06/2026

Paignton Branch will hold a wreath service remembering the Falklands Conflict at the Paignton War Memorial, Palace Gardens, on Sunday 14th June, 10.45 for 11.00am
All are welcome to join us

22/05/2026

Operation Telic was one of the largest deployments of British Forces since World War II. Approximately 46,000 service personnel were involved in the initial operations, this included some 9,500 reservists.

Operation Telic covered the period from 19th March 2003 until the end of combat operations on 22nd May 2011; 15years ago, today. There were 179 fatalities during these operations.

British service personnel are still operating in the region, in non-combat roles, as part of a Global Coalition providing training and equipment to both Iraqi and Kurdish security forces.

Members of Paignton RBL, supported by members of Torquay RBL and Torbay RNA, came together today to remember all those who died or were wounded, as well as all those who have, and who are still, suffering, both physically and mentally, from their involvement in operations in Iraq.

We also remember those who served during Operation Granby (1st gulf War) 16th January – 28th February 1991.

16/05/2026

The end of World War 2 did not bring an end to the British military commitment abroad. Britain still needed to maintain her demanding Empire, occupy post war Germany and Japan and re-establish influence in the world, particularly in the Middle East. The Cold War between communist USSR and the capitalist USA placed new demands on British manpower.

Indian Independence in 1947 meant that Britain no longer had the huge Indian army at its disposal. To solve this manpower shortage and meet new post war challenges, wartime conscription was extended into an obligatory period of National Service for men of military age.

In 1947, it was announced that all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 – 30 were to be called up. This was quickly changed to all men between the ages of 17 – 21. Initially conscripts served for 18 months but 1950, during the Korean War (1959 – 1953) this was increased to 2 years. Between the National Service Act coming into force in 1949 and the last National Serviceman being demobbed in 1963, more than 2 million men were conscripted into the Armed Forces. The last National Serviceman to be demobbed, on 16th May 1963, was 2nd Lt Richard Vaugan of the Royal Army Pay Corp.

National Servicemen served all over the world and were involved in frontline fighting in Borneo, Kenya, Malaya, Cyprus, Korea and during the Suez Crisis. They found themselves in places like Christmas Island, Aden, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain and Egypt. For many this was the first time they had been abroad let alone lived in a foreign country.

Between 1949 and 1962, a total of 2578 National Servicemen died. Of this number 395 were killed in action.

On the anniversary of the last National Serviceman being ‘demobbed’ on 16th May 1963, members of Paignton RBL, Torquay RBL and Torbay RNA, together with local dignitaries, gathered together to convey their grateful thanks and appreciation, to those who served and those who lost their lives during their service.

28/04/2026

26/04/2026

St Georges Day Dinner

Paignton RBL hosted a St Georges Day Dinner at the Paignton Club on Friday 24th April.
It was well attended and the evening was generally considered to be a great success.

26/04/2026

ANZAC DAY – Paignton War Memorial

Royal British Legion members from Paignton, Torquay and Newton Abbot Branches, accompanied by members of the Royal Naval Association and local residents, gathered at the Paignton War Memorial to commemorate the first landing of Australian and New Zealand (ANZAC) troops on the shores of Gallipoli on 25th April 1915.

The courage shown on that day by these troops is legendary.

ANZAC Day remains one of the most important national occasions of both Australia and New Zealand. The Paignton Branch of The Royal British Legion gathered together to remember and to say thank you to our brothers in arms from down under.

Troops from Australia and New Zealand have fought at the side of UK Forces in many areas of conflict. They have demonstrated extraordinary courage and fortitude on many occasions, demonstrating their loyalty, not only to their own country but also to the King and Great Britain.

There are 10 ANZAC War Graves from the First World War and 3 from the second In the Torbay area, one of which is in Paignton Cemetery.

19/12/2025

Today, Friday 19th December, the members and friends of Paignton Branch Royal British Legion met to hold their Christmas lunch at The Paignton Club. A superb three course meal was served followed by the presentation of the Cyril Perry Shield, the results of the table top quiz, a raffle for a bottle of ‘navy rum’ and the main raffle.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 🥳

30/11/2025

The President and several members of Paignton RBL with guests went to see the Royal Marines Band at Torquay’s Princess theatre this evening.
It was a terrific programme of music and fun from the Lympstone Royal Marines Band. The Torbay Sea Cadets, looking very smart, were also in attendance, selling programmes and generally helping out.
Thanks to both groups for making, it a very enjoyable evening.