The Royal British Legion. Grewelthorpe.
THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION – GREWELTHORPE BRANCH.
A HISTORY.
This is an attempt to produce some form of history for the Grewelthorpe branch of The Royal British Legion.
By Royal Charter of 21st April 1925 British Legion was formed, by supplemental charter of 10th April 1979 its name was changed to “The Royal British Legion.”
There are no minute books pre 1985 for the Grewelthorpe branch.
From an old account book it appears there was a group of some sort in 1931-1936 but there is a reference in post 1985 minutes that at that time it was an Ex-Servicemen’s Association. However pieces in the local newspaper, The Ripon Gazette of the 1930’s refer to the British Legion Grewelthorpe. Research in the Ripon Gazette of 13.11.1930 produces an Armistice Night message given on behalf of General James Dalton indicating that the branch was formed somewhere between Armistice Day 1929 and Armistice Day 1930.
County HQ are unable to give a formation date.
The Account book restarts on 1st October 1945 to 30 September 1957.
The following are shown as President, Chairman, Secretary & Treasurer.
Presidents.
Major General James Cecil Dalton. [Ex RA] – source Ripon Gazette 14/05/1931. Died 1931.
His obituary records state that he was a staunch RBL supporter & president of the Grewelthorpe branch.
Major General Sir Charles Dalton.[Ex RA] 1931/32 and pre 1985-87.
He died Jan 1989 and at death is noted as having been a member since October 1935.
Major General Peter Bradley. [Ex Royal Signals] – 1987-1989.
He joined the branch 13th June 1985. After some local moves he left in September 1998 to live near his family in the South of England.
Mike Stancliffe. [ Ex Army] 1989-2002.
Mike Stancliffe in 1999.
Major J.Roger Chapman. [Ex Green Howards] 2002 – present.
Son in law of Sir Charles Dalton.
Chairmen.
J.F. ? Reid. 1930 – 1932.
P. Ashby. 1945 -1946.
E. Horner. 1950 – 1951.
R.E. Ascough. [Ex Sgt. RASC] . Pre 1985-1987 then 1987 -2000.
Died 2.8.2004. Believed to have been Chairman in excess of 30 years.
Les Stainthorpe. 1986-1987.
L.Rowland – Jones. [Ex Army]. 2000 – 2001.
D.M. Hartley. [Ex Green Howards]. 2001 – to present.
Secretaries.
John Goundry. 1931./32..
W.A.Goss. 1954.
G.W.Richardson. ???
T.T.Procter. Pre 1985 – 1991 [Stated to have done 10 years]
I.H.Bradley. [Ex RAF] 1991 – to present.
Treasurers.
G. Lofthouse. 1932.
A. Stelling. 1945.
J.R. Buck. 1946.
W. Morley. 1950 – 1951.
Eric Ashby. [Ex RAF] Pre 1985 – 1998.
Possibly started in 1951 as noted as having done 40 years in 1990.
Rod MacAulay. [Ex RN]. 1998 – to present.
Legion officers in 2005. Rod MacAulay [Treasurer] David Hartley [Chairman] Ian Bradley [Secretary] and seated Roger Chapman [President]
Annual Dinners.
Events held at :-
Nov 1932. Jan 1987/88/89/90 & 1994 – Hackfall Inn Grewelthorpe.
On 24 Nov 1932 the Ripon Gazette records that 30 attended the Annual Dinner on Armistice Night. Charles Dalton. the President, was away on service in Egypt, so his brother * Major John Dalton.* presided.
Sir Charles Dalton.
Feb 1985 – Galphay Inn.
Mar 1991. Aug. 1992. Jan. 1993. – Grantley Hall. In 1991 Raised £110 for St. Michael’s Hospice.
Feb 1992 & Mar 2004 – Crown Inn Grewelthorpe.
Annual dinner 1997.
Left to Right. Standing. Graham Roberts. Peter Bradley. Bill Dobson. Ian Bradley [with tie] David Hartley behind. Mike Stancliffe. Fred Smith. Rod MacAulay. Lenny Rowland Jones. Roger Chapman. Tony Hill. Seated. Eric Ashby. Bob Ascough. Rowley Ashby.
Mar 2001 & 2002 – Swinton Castle.
Jan 1986. Jan 1995 & 1996. March 1997/98/2000 – Masham Golf Club.
March 2005. March 2006. March 2008. – White Bear, Masham.
Annual dinner 2005.
Left to right. Tim Stebbings. Eric Clark. Roger Chapman. Walter Myers. David Hartley [behind] Ian Bradey. Peter Fettes [behind] Rod MacAulay. Tony Hill.
Roger Chapman & Walter Myers in 2005.
March 2007. – Queens Head, Finghall.
Armistice Day.
Source Ripon Gazette 10th Nov 1932.
Parade & Service held on 6th November. John Goundry. the Hon. Secretary took the parade.
November 1994.
Ian & Barbara Bradley. attended a Multi National / Multi denominational service whilst on holiday abroad. They were surprised to find that not many people appreciated the significance of the poppies.
Visits.
Ripon Gazette June 1930. Annual outing to Blackpool. early start with breakfast at the Devonshire Hotel. Arrived Blackpool 10a.m.
Returned via Ilkley. Organised by J.Goundry Hon. Sec.
Ripon Gazette 13.11.1930. Remembrance service held in church in the morning and in the chapel in the afternoon. The British Legion attended in full force. The roll of honour was read by the Chairman.
Ripon Gazette 25.6.1931. Annual outing 34 set off to Scarborough at 6a.m.
Ripon Gazette 10.3.1932. Annual outing to Lake District on 18th June.
Ripon Gazette 23.6.1932. Annual outing. 52 went to Lake District via Wensleydale. Paper describes a full itinerary & records congratulations to John Goundry. Hon. Sec. for superb arrangements.
Source Ripon Gazette 14.10.1983. Annual seaside trip in 1930’s [ possibly 1933] to Southport.
18th June 1988. R.B.L. Lister House, Ripon. Official opening. Some members went.
12 June 1990. RAF Leeming – Enjoyable visit.
27th April 1995. Harrogate Victory branch social evening. Low turnout but good visit.
28th April 1996. Eden Camp, Malton. Successful trip 39 went.
12 July 1996. RAF Menwith Hill. [United States Communications Centre] A success with 27 attending.
6th October 1996. Green Howards Museum Richmond Yorkshire. Successful day
6th October 1996. Georgian Theatre Richmond. Successful combined with museum visit.
15th June 1997. Royal Armouries Leeds. Successful outing 33 went.
June 1999. Harrogate Victory branch social evening. Low turnout but good.
19th September 1999. Green Howards Museum Richmond. Low turnout but good.
2001. 80th Anniversary Service in York of the formation of Legion. Walter Myers. attended with Harrogate Victory.
25th April 2002. Harrogate Victory branch social evening.13 went to a good night.
27th March 2003. Harrogate Victory branch social evening. 3 members attended.
23th October 2003. Harrogate Victory branch poppy concert. Ian & Barbara Bradley & Walter Myers. attended.
24 October 2004. RAF Leeming – Went well.
12 November 2004. National Service of Remembrance. London Albert Hall. Rod MacAulay. & his cousin attended.
15th April 2005.Lister House, Ripon. Social & Presentation of £500.
4th September 2005. Green Howards Museum Richmond. Only 3 went.
19th September 2006. Elvington Air Museum. 11 went and had a very good day.
25th October 2006. Harrogate Victory Branch social evening. 12 went. Good evening.
2nd October 2007. RAF Leeming – Good day, 15 went.
16th Jan 2008. Lister House, Ripon. Social & presentation of £350. Raised from a car boot sale [£187] plus funds. At this function Sylvia Cliff, daughter of Walter Myers, agreed to match the £350 with a donation from Abbey Bank [ formerly Abbey National Building Soc.]
In earlier years the Branch had attended Garden parties, manning stalls and donating prizes.
Over the years the branch has had its own social evenings at the Hackfall Inn and the Crown Inn Grewelthorpe.
In the 1920’s and 30’s according to newspaper reports there were regular monthly whist drives held in the school.
Diary of events.
9th Febuary 1928. Ripon Gazette.
At the Sunday morning service at St. James’s Church Grewelthorpe, the ex-servicemen of Grewelthorpe attended under General Dalton to honour the memory of Earl Haig. All wore medals and poppies. The latter supplied by General Dalton. The preacher was Colonel Gethin.
1st March 1928. Ripon Gazette.
Grewelthorpe ex-servicemen Association held a whist drive. Total receipts £6.14s.8d.
Total expenses 6/6d.
At a meeting of the Association on Friday last it was proposed to have the annual trip to Keswick on Derwentwater.
6th March 1930. Ripon Gazette.
At the annual whist drive which was held in school, Mr Jowett was MC. A beautiful iced cake, given by Miss J. Richmond of Bramley Grange was won by Miss G. Tipling. The draw raised £1.4s.
12th November 1931. Ripon Gazette.
The Grewelthorpe British Legion paraded and were inspected by Colonel Gethin. and Mr.Charles Dalton. [President]. Mr John Goundry. – Hon. Secretary.
Flanders poppies were laid on the grave of General Dalton. [late president] and on the memorial to William Leathley. in church.
In the afternoon members attended a service in the Wesleyan Chapel.
The sale of poppies in Grewelthorpe and Bramley Grange in November 1931 raised £3.10s.
19th November 1931. Ripon Gazette.
The British Legion Annual Dinner was held at The Crown Inn, Grewelthorpe on Armistice Night. 32 members and friends attended. The room was tastefully decorated. Mr & Mrs. Cook were congratulated on the catering of the highest order to be associated with The Crown. The President Charles Dalton. was absent because he had just left for service in Egypt. Mr. Reid presided. Toasts proposed by John Goundry.
10th December 1931. Ripon Gazette.
The Annual meeting of the British Legion was held at the school on Friday evening.
Committee as follows:-
President. Charles Dalton. R.A.
Vice Presidents. John Dalton. R.A. W.Jowett. F.D. Moore. W.Westwood. Mrs Thompson. of Burn Brae. Miss A.J. Richmond.
Chairman. J.F. Reid.
Vice Chairman. A. Stelling.
Secretary. John Goundry.
Treasurer. G.Lofthouse.
The secretary was nominated as delegate to the Annual conference to be held in Leeds in January 1932.
The Annual whist drive will be held Jan. 28th 1932.
24 Jan 1932. Ripon Gazette records the death of Joseph Pickles. aged 72 on 22 Jan 1932. The following week the paper reports that the Grewelthorpe RBL members with Chairman Mr. Reid. stood in remembrance of Joseph Pickles. an assiduous member.
Pre 1985 and until 1991.
The Legion entertained members of the Wounded Warriors from Leeds.
8th May 1995.
VE/VJ Celebrations in the village. A joint effort from organisations in the village went down well. Village children presented with commemorative mugs.
Peter & Peggy Bradley present mugs.
The locality enjoyed an excellent celebration dance in the evening at Masham Town Hall with Swing Band Echo 42 from Harrogate. 1940’s style dress. Evening largely organised by Ian & Barbara Bradley. Town Hall decorated out with red, white & Blue with the Victory Roundell on the stage flanked by the Union flag and the Stars & Stripes.
September 1995.
Letter sent to the Prime Minister re Disability war pensions. An acknowledgement received from No. 10. and a response from the DSS.
May 1996.
Block & Gavel presented to the Chairman by Fred Smith. from members of the Guards Association.
Member Ian Bradley & his wife have been with Remembrance Travel on visits to war cemeteries in South Germany [Durnbach, Bavaria] in 1999. The Somme [Arras & Thiepval] in 2000. Southern Italy [Cassino] in 2001. also with Harrogate Victory members to the National Memorial Aboretum near Rugeley in Staffordshire.
18th January 2001.
A framed wire embroidered Legion Emblem purchased and presented to Bob Ascough. for long service as member and chairman.
Eric Ashby and Bob Ascough in 1997.
March 2006.
Induction ceremony took place at the Annual dinner at the White Bear, Masham.
From L to R. Standard bearer Graham Roberts. Phillip Dowland. Anthony Prince. Barry Marr. David Hartley [Chairman].
October 2006.
Edward Threapleton. [Ex Group Captain RAF] awarded Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in the Air re. Search & Rescue of a private flyer in Scotland.
Edward Threapleton at RAF Leeming. 2006.
At the Annual Dinner in March 2007 Edward was presented with a framed memento.
War Memorial in Churchyard.
The memorial was first suggested in March 1985. Finally erected in July 1993 and dedicated in November of that year.
The drive and initiative for this project came from Fred Smith.
6th June 2004 Short service at the memorial commemorating D.Day.
8th May 2005 Short service at the memorial to commemorate the end of the war in Europe.
10th July 2005 Long service in church and memorial to commemorate the end of WW2.
21st August 2005 Short service at the memorial to commemorate the end of War in the far east.
Each year there is a church service on Remembrance Sunday followed by a ceremony at the memorial and the laying of a wreath.
David Hartley lays the wreath on memorial in 2005. Watched by Legion bugler Anthony Prince and Tony Hill by flagpole.
Grewelthorpe Branch Standard.
This was first suggested pre 1989. Then in January 1989 by Bill Dobson. Then again in May 1995. The standard was finally dedicated in November 1995.
It was conceived, made and dedicated principally due to Fred Smith.
Fred was the first standard bearer and this duty was taken over by Graham Roberts.
Graham Roberts standard bearer in 2005.
Flagpole in St. James’s Churchyard.
This was first suggested in November 2000.
The flagpole was donated by John & Lynda Oldridge. H. Hill & Sons provided the base materials and mixer free of charge. It was completed in May 2003. Erected and dedicated.
Commemorative Seat in Churchyard.
Installed and dedicated in July 2005. to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the end of WW2. Donated by H.Hill & Sons .
Reported in the Ripon Gazette.
Monthly whist drives in 1920’s and 1930’s.
Car Boot Sale. 27th May 2007. Superb effort by Tony Hill. but marred by terrible wet weather on this Spring Bank Holiday Monday. £187 raised for Lister House.
Poppy Appeal Organisers.
Freda Thompson. Pre 1985 – 1986.
Jean Ashby. 1986 – 2003.
Peter Fettes. 2003 to present.
Poppy Appeals.
Reported in Ripon Gazette 1930 Poppy Appeal raised £3.18s.1d.
Reported in Ripon Gazette 1931 Poppy Appeal raised £3.10s.
Reported in Ripon Gazette 1932. Poppy Appeal raised £3.6s.
Superb collection efforts by Tony Hill. from 2004 to present. Tony manages to beat the previous years record takings each year.
Tony Hill receives an award for poppy selling in 2006 from Roger Chapman.
Membership.
This has fluctuated over the years.
1932 – 15. 1985 – 16. 1986 – 18. 1992 – 17. 1993 – 15.
1998 – 18. 2000 – 14. 2001 – 16. 2002 – 17. 2003 – 15.
2004 – 14. 2005 – 18. 2006 – 19. 2007 – 20. 2008 – 24.
Meetings.
Crown Inn, Grewelthorpe pre 1985 – 1986.
Hackfall Inn, Grewelthorpe 1987 – 1994 [Hackfall closed]
Crown Inn 1994 – to present day.
This article is being researched by Ian & Barbara Bradley.2008.
It will be added to as more information becomes available.
If you have any photographs or information about the Legion that you can add please contact us.