In the week of Remembrance Day 2008, we take a look back at some former local gatherings of the RBL in photographs kindly contributed by Liz Mayston.

It's hard to believe that this first photograph was taken 18 years ago.





The large group outside St Andrew's Church, Biggleswade shows the women's section of the Royal British Legion in 1990 on the occasion of their Diamond Jubilee.

Liz's mother was chairman of the women's section and is seen seated in the centre of the front row wearing red.

Her family were very active within the British Legion with her grandfather and father both being secretaries of the men's section.

Liz herself was also secretary of both the women's and men's sections at different times.

Liz recalls that after the Diamond Jubilee service, the women went for a reception at the Weatherley Centre.

From left, back row are: Mrs Thrush, Mrs Atkinson, Mrs Sullivan, Mrs Odell, Mrs Bryant, Mrs Dunworth, Mrs Manaldo, Mrs Jervis, Mrs Jeeves, Mrs Smedley, Mrs Tyrer, _, Judith Childs SB, Mrs Gray, _, Mrs Osborne-Smith, Mrs Stead, _, Mrs Stokes, Mrs Albone, Mrs Campion, Mrs Young, Joyce Rance, and Mrs Berridge.

In the front row are from left: Mrs Francis, Mrs Hall, Mrs Lowther, Mrs Cooper, Mrs Oakley, Mrs Levitt, Mrs Mayston, Mrs Roberts, Mrs Woodford, Mrs Andrews, Miss Bates and Mrs Smith.

Liz also sent in this photograph of a long past Remembrance Day Parade when the memorial was at the junction on St Andrews Street, the High Street and Shortmead Street.





The changes in the Biggleswade shopfronts are particularly marked.

Said Liz: "The Standard was carried by George Lock. The escorts are Frank Taylor and George Mayston."

In the third photograph, members of the legion are pictured at a dinner held in 1961.





Attendess from left to right include Mrs Levitt, Mr Steggle, Mrs Tickner, Mr F C Levitt, Mr George Lock and George Mayston.

Thanks go to Liz for these timely reminders of the RBL.

This story appeared in a November 2008 issue of Memory Lane.