As the Largs Royal British Legion prepare to celebrate their first annivesary in the Spring since reforming, they have become cover stars in a national publication.

The story of how Phil Chinery re-formed his local Largs branch appears in the Legion Scotland today magazine, Pictured are Phil Chinery, former Prisoner of War, 95 year old Jack Ransom and John Hutchinson.

Fresh from recently commemorating the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Holocaust with a short memorial service at Largs War Memorial last month, the Legion has been very active in community affairs, from Remembrance Sunday, to arranging to caste two wreaths of the Cal Mac ferry in memory of members of the merchant navy lost at sea during World War 1 and 2.

Largs had its own branch till the mid 1990s when it was linked up with the Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston branch.

Phil, who is secretary, said: “I knew there had been a branch of the Legion in Largs, from visiting St Columba’s Parish Church where the Colours have been laid up. First I had to ask the branch for legion affairs in the town, and at a meeting in January 2014, verbal consent was given to reform the Largs branch.

“The same approval and encouragement was given by the Ayrshire Area Council. Then in late January I met with a fellow Legionnaire to discuss and form a strategy for the first meeting - a suitable venue and publicity through the Largs and Millport Weekly News, who wrote a comprehensive preview of the meeting, which brought fourth several telephone enquiries.” A total of eight ex-service personnel signed up to join the Largs Legion.

Phil explained: “We had a welcome, introductions, and gave a short history of the Legion. There were some formalities and procedures to follow in re-forming the branch, and these were followed by a lovely and positive open discussion.

“The eight non-members were keen to join the Legion, but to re-establish the branch, with a meeting night and venture arranged there and then.

“After the first meeting, there were further enquiries from the ‘News’, as the media boom continued thereafter. Formal approval was given by the National Board of Trustees. The first official branch meeting then took place in May.” Membership has been further boosted ever since, with a total of 29 ordinary members, and six associate members.

The youngest members is a 22 year old who beginning a career in the Royal Navy at Faslane, The oldest member is 95 year old Jack Ransom whose story has been published in ‘The Scottish Cockney’ novel. Jack is also conversant with Twitter!

Phil said: “An age range of 70 years means that there are both working and retired members, which is good and bad news. The good news is that the future of the branch is in good hands, but sadly means that many of those younger members can only participate in weekend events.” Phil is delighted by the response since restoring the Largs Legion, and said: “It was originally formed in 1925, so we are techincally 90 years old. While for a period amalgamated with Saltcoats, Stevenston, the Largs branch has risen like a Phoneix from the Ashes.” During recent commememoration events for Remembrance and the Holocaust, The Largs Legion has forged close links with the Millport British Legion branch which has been operating for decades on the island, and a special Legion monument in memory of the war dead appears on the far side of Cumbrae.

* The Largs branch of the Royal British Legion meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm in the Halkshill Bowling Club in Largs, For further information, contact Phil Chinery on 01475 649323, or email philchinery@yahoo.co.uk More details about the Millport branch can be found here: www.rblsmillport.com/