MEMBERS of the Irvine branch of Legion Scotland celebrated the centenary of the organisation recently.

On June 18, 1921, with the trauma and painful after-effects of the First World War crippling the nation, four ex-service organisations came together at St Cuthbert’s Church in Edinburgh to unite for the greater good of the nation. At that moment, the British Legion was born and today, 100 years later, a year of centenary celebrations is being launched in recognition of this historic, national institution.

The Unity Conference, led by Field Marshall Earl Haig, set out to bring members of the Armed Forces and wider community together in the spirit of comradeship. His vision was for a cohesive, single organisation with a democratic constitution that brought like-minded individuals together for a common purpose—to champion the rights of veterans and their families.

The Irvine Legion members joined representatives from the Armed Forces, Merchant Navy, The War Widows and Poppyscotland in attendance in laying commemorative wreaths at war memorials across the country.