Royal British Legion: Stonehouse & District Branch

08/06/2026

This is good news, a small start but a start nonetheless.

Great news for local veterans 🏠

We’ve secured £225,000 to bring six long-term empty council homes back into use, creating safe, affordable housing for local veterans.

The project will include five flats and one bungalow, which will be fully adapted for accessibility. All homes will be upgraded to modern, energy efficient standards and will stay as a long-term housing option for veterans in our district.

Around 90 veterans are currently on our housing register, many waiting for one-bedroom homes. This project will help meet that need and support those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Veterans moving in will also receive tailored support, including help with settling into their new home, access to health and wellbeing services, and links to employment and community support.

Work is expected to begin soon, with veterans moving in later in the year.

Thank you to SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity/SSAFA Gloucestershire for their help with the application.

06/06/2026

As darkness fell on 6th June 1944, the allies had secured the beaches of Normandy, in 10 short months, the war in Europe would be over .

15/05/2026

Date for the diary: Saturday June 27th - Armed Forces Day event in Stratford Park from 10am till 4:30pm

Join us and the wealth of entertainment available to celebrate this nation’s fabulous armed forces.

09/05/2026

Please support this great event, organised by the Stroud & District Veterans Hub.

❤️ Armed Forces Day is coming to Stratford Park 🤍

A special Armed Forces Day celebration is being planned at Stratford Park in Stroud this summer, organised by local veterans with support from Stroud District Council.

📅 Saturday 27 June
⏰ 10am–4.30pm
📍 Stratford Park, Stroud
🎟️ Free entry

The event is all about showing support for serving personnel, veterans and their families, while bringing the community together for a family‑friendly day out.

There’ll be entertainment, activities for all ages, and the chance to meet local veterans’ organisations, emergency services and charities.

Confirmed attractions include performances from the Innsworth Military Wives Choir, the Cheltenham Pipe Band and Jim’s Jive, alongside a wide range of information stalls and displays from veterans’ groups, the Armed Forces, emergency services, Scouts and Cadets, and many more.

The council is supporting the event by providing funding, the use of Stratford Park as the venue, and officer support for publicity and logistics. However, the organisers are still aiming to raise an additional £1,500 to help cover remaining costs and support planning for future events.

If you’re able to help, a GoFundMe appeal is live here:
👉 https://gofund.me/34607c7fa

Event organiser and local veteran Stuart Love said the day is an important opportunity for veterans and their families to feel recognised, connect with support services, and for the wider community to show its appreciation.

Put the date in your diary and come along to show your support - it’s set to be a great day for the whole family ❤️🤍💙

26/04/2026

On Sunday, Gloucestershire County Royal British Legion organised the annual ANZAC memorial service at Leighterton cemetery, near Tetbury. The event pays tribute to the 24 Australian airmen, who were based at Leighterton airfield during WWI and are buried in the cemetery.

Attended by Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Gloucestershire, Air Marshall Sir David Walker and his wife, Lady Walker, along with representatives from the Australian High Commission, Australian Signals Intelligence based at GCHQ and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

During the service wreaths were laid and the local schoolchildren placed sprigs of rosemary on top of each of the graves while the names of the servicemen were read out. Rosemary is an ancient symbol of remembrance.

A great turn out by RBL branches from across the county, as well as the Riders Branch and RAFA, all of whom were inspected by and conversed at length with the dignitaries following the service.

SAC Ian Campbell, based at RAF High Wycombe, who also happens to be Chair of Staple Hill Branch took some amazing photos of the event, they can be seen here https://anzac-day-2026.staplehillrbl.org.uk/set/311f13ce-6e47-498c-9681-288506eacc2c

24/04/2026

Last evening, the branch, along with other branches and organisations from around Gloucestershire, was honoured to be invited by the Royal Society of St George to their 46th annual St George’s Day service at St Barnabas Church in Gloucester.
The service incorporated the annual Captain Robert Nairac Youth Awards for outstanding contributions by young people across Gloucestershire, presented by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Gloucestershire, Mr Edward Gillespie O.B.E.
It was followed by a lovely reception over road in the church hall, with toasts for the King and St George.

12/03/2026

The Royal British Legion branch is trying to trace any relatives of Arthur William Harry Goodman who used to live in the area.
Please contact us via our page or email [email protected]

11/03/2026

I know it’s a bit late for international women’s day but I wanted to call out these amazing ladies, Fiona (left) Geraldine (middle) and Ruth (right).

Ruth and Geraldine have just stepped down as Stonehouse Poppy Appeal Organiser and Deputy Organiser, having raised (with your support of course) an amazing £24,044.42, which is 6 x greater than 3 years ago. Well done ladies!

Fiona is Gloucestershire RBL Poppy Appeal Manager and is looking for worthy replacements for Ruth and Geraldine.
So if you fancy taking on some or all of the Stonehouse area, even if just organising rota’s please let Fiona know by email on [email protected]



24/01/2026

Our Statement in response to President Trump's comments:

The service and sacrifice of British personnel in Afghanistan cannot be called into question, and we condemn any comments that undermine their extraordinary contribution. 457 British personnel lost their lives in Afghanistan and thousands more and their families now live with the lifelong physical and mental impact from service in that conflict.

The dedication and sacrifices of the men and women in the British Armed Forces from the UK, Commonwealth, and beyond, to protect our freedoms and support our allies deserves our deep and ongoing respect and gratitude.

Our nation’s support for our Armed Forces is never in doubt. The Royal British Legion through our ongoing work to recognise, remember, and support the Armed Forces community, ensures that their unique contribution is not forgotten. This recognition is shared across communities, cultures, and faiths.

24/01/2026

If you’ve been affected by current events in the news, we’re here to help.

You can reach us on 0808 802 8080, between 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.

You can also contact us via online chat (8am–8pm daily) or email [email protected].