Royal British Legion Brussels: “Come and join our ranks”

An appeal has been launched by the Royal British Legion (RBL) to recruit new members for its Brussels branch.

While the RBL, the UK’s largest armed forces charity, has a 180,000-strong global membership, Brussels counts just over 100 members.

It is a well-established and friendly branch but, with an inevitably ageing membership, the search is now on to boost its ranks, particularly with Belgians.

The RBL has been helping the armed forces community – veterans, serving personnel and their families – since 1921 and the message is: “There’s never been a better time to join.”

Dennis Abbott, chair of the Brussels branch, said: “We live in a dangerous world and the RBL is needed more than ever today.”

While recognising that the RBL is probably most visible to the public at commemorations, funds raised from subscriptions and the annual Poppy Appeal allow it to provide financial and emotional support, whenever or wherever that help is needed by beneficiaries.

“But to carry out our role effectively, we need to grow our membership,” insists Abbott.

As well as running or taking part in commemorations, the branch also meets regularly in and around the Brussels area for social events – and has been doing so since it was created by a group of British officers in May 1922.

It currently has British, Belgian, French and German nationals among its members. The branch's local patron is the UK Ambassador to Belgium, Anne Sherriff, who often attends its commemorations. 

Some of the Brussels branch members are the children or grandchildren of British servicemen who helped end the Nazi occupation of Belgium in the Second World War, married local women and stayed. Around 6,000 Anglo-Belgian couples wed following the Liberation of Brussels and Antwerp in September 1944.

Abbott said all its members, regardless of age or nationality, “honour the enormous sacrifice of the Allied forces in Belgium during the two world wars.”

He added: “It's important that we never forget what they did. As a branch we have a responsibility as 'passeurs de memoire', that is keepers of memory, sharing the stories of the past with new generations.

“Unfortunately it sometimes appears that a few of today’s leaders have forgotten the lessons of history. Or at least need reminding occasionally.”

Membership of the branch costs €30 a year and is open to everyone. A military background is not necessary, although many members have an interest in the military and military history.  There is also free membership for anyone who is a Youth Standard Bearer or part of a licensed RBL band aged between the ages of 14 and 17.

It is not necessary to speak English, although some knowledge of the language is useful for members who wish to serve on the committee.  

“As a member, people can take an active role in all our branch activities and there are opportunities to serve on the committee, write for our website or train as a welfare case worker,” explained Abbott.

Members of the Brussels branch receive a regular branch newsletter plus a copy of Legion, the official RBL magazine, six times a year.

The Brussels branch includes one life member, Count Henri d'Oultremont, who served in the latter stages of the Second World War in the British Army with the famous Belgian unit, the Brigade Piron. He will celebrate his 101st birthday on 31 May.

“There could be no better example of the Belgians who have long supported the RBL,” said Abbott.

The Royal British Legion also has branches in Antwerp and Ypres. 

Photos: (main image) Standard Bearer Freddy Roiseux with pipers Melvyn Morrison and Bruce Hardie at Hotton; Branch commemoration at La Roche-en-Ardenne on 3 May 2026; Brussels Branch RBL emblem