Epworth RBL members honour war dead in Ypres

Epworth RBL standard bearer, Dave Pearce and wreath layer, Keith O'Hara

Members gathered in Ypres where RBL members honoured the war dead in that momentous year on the 10th anniversary of armistice.

Members of the Epworth Branch of The Royal British Legion joined thousands of Armed Forces veterans and supporters from across the UK and worldwide in a pilgrimage of remembrance to some of WW1’s most poignant sites.

The Epworth Royal British Legion’s work is reflected in the Legion’s motto: Live On – to the memory of the fallen and the future of the living. The Legion is the nation’s biggest Armed Forces charity providing care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present and their families.

A spectacular two-mile march through Ypres to the Commonwealth War Grave Commission’s Menin Gate Memorial was led by 1,100 Standard Bearers including Epworth RBL’s Dave Pearce, who is pictured with the branch wreath layer, Keith O’Hara.

The momentous march was the culmination of a three day event, which saw the 2,200 participants visit the WW1 trenches, battlefields and cemeteries of France and Belgium.

Dave Pearce and Keith O’Hara attended the Great Pilgrimage 90 as representatives of Epworth Branch, and were proud to honour the war dead on behalf of their branch.

Dave Pearce of the Epworth Branch said: “Being part of such an historic event, representing Epworth Branch in commemorating those that lost their lives in the First World War, was an honour and something I will never forget.”

The Royal British Legion’s head of Commemorative Events, Bob Gamble, said: “Great Pilgrimage 90, was the Legion’s biggest membership event in modern history.”

He added: “It is a suitable tribute from the members of The Royal British Legion in honour of the First World War generation, echoing the way the British Legion community commemorated the 10th anniversary of the conflict in 1928.”

For more information visit www.britishlegion.org.uk or to get involved with your local branch contact secretary, Steve Croot at [email protected] or call 01427 872223.