AN IMPORTANT symbol of the Royal British Legion in Okehampton was unveiled and dedicated at a service in the town on Monday. A new standard for the Okehampton branch of the Legion was dedicated at a service in All Saints Parish Church, where the laying-up of the old standard also took place. Members of the branch and of the Devon county committee joined civic dignataries in watching young branch standard bearer James Stacey from Halwill carrying the new standard. The service was officiated by the Rev Mark Thomas. The standard?s colours are blue and gold; blue represents loyalty and fidelity and gold signifies service. Branch chairman Major Ray Rattenbury told the gathered congregation: 'When servicemen returned home after the Great War they did not find a welcoming land of milk and honey but were instead presented with unemployment, poverty and food shortages to name but a few of the problems.' He said it was against this backdrop, that the legion was formed on July 1, 1921 and went on to become the most prominent ex-service organisation. In 1971 the British Legion became the Royal British Legion. Mr Rattenbury said: 'The Okehampton branch of the British Legion was formed in 1925 and held its meetings mainly in the White Hart and the Drill Hall depending on their availability. The current club premises in Station Road were bought in 1980 and since then the club had continued to grow and promote the welfare of those who serve in the Armed Forces, or who have served and their dependents. 'The standard is an important symbol of the Royal British Legion and has a role to play in the life of the branch. 'It was designed in 1923 by Colonel E H Heath, the first general secretary of the legion, and is looked upon as the rallying point for the branch members and as a constant reminder of the legion?s motto,' said Mr Rattenbury Andrew Collier, a member of Okehampton Community College Band, played the Last Post and Reveille on the bugle.
