MELKSHAM’S branch of the Royal British Legion is offering the chance to someone from the local community to join one of their members on a trip to France and Belgium, to take part in the Great Pilgrimage 90.
The trip marks 90 years since veterans and war widows visited the battlefields of the Somme and Ypres before marching to the Menin Gate in Ypres on 8th August 1928, a decade after the end of World War 1.
The branch is looking for someone to join their standard bearer and represent the branch, and the local Melksham community, as their wreath bearer. The representative will join thousands of Legion members who will recreate the 1928 Great Pilgrimage to visit the same battlefields and then, on 8th August, march along the same route to the Menin Gate, to commemorate the last 100 days of WW1 and represent an entire generation who served while defending their country.
The branch is currently fundraising to cover the cost of the trip, and in exchange for a donation, you can nominate yourself to be selected to go on the biggest membership event in the Royal British Legion’s history. The winner will be selected at random in mid-May.
Tom Sangster from Melksham Royal British Legion said, “We would like someone to come forward who has an interest in the event and a passion for history. Anyone can nominate themselves, they don’t have to be a member. This is an all-expenses paid trip and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take part in a moment of history.”
The trip will depart by coach on Sunday 5th August and return on Thursday 9th August. To enter, you can make a donation through the Just Giving page, leaving a comment that you would like to be put forward for the trip, with your contact details. Or, you can just make a donation giving your support. To donate visit: www.just giving.com /crowdfunding/ rbl-melksham. If you wish to keep your contact details private on the Just Giving page, then they can be sent to tom.sangster@blue yonder.co.uk.
Alternatively, you can make a cheque payable to ‘Melksham Branch RBL’ and send it to Cathy Smith, 4 Highfield Close, Semington. BA14 6JZ
For more information, email Cathy at johnboy .smith@btinternet.com or contact her at 01380 870735.