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90th Anniversary Service at Westminster Abbey

Legion and Women Section members unite at Westminster Alter to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Royal British Legion

Members from the Women's Section last week attended a special serivce at Westminster Abbey to commemorate the 90th Annviersary of the Royal British Legion.

Attending the service was our very own Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, who was joined by The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Susie Burbridge, Members of Parliament, and special guests from the Armed Forces and the Legion.

The servce, which took place on Tuesday 20th September, featured a specially commissioned fanfare by a Tri-Service team. Music was provided by the Westminster Abbey Choir and The Central Band of The Royal British Legion which was conducted by Director of Music David Cole.

Classical Soprano singer, Hayley Westenra, sang Laurence Binyon's 'For the Fallen' as Legion beneficiary, Kirianne Curley, bore the Book of Remembrance through the Abbey to the High Altar, which she then presented to the Dean of the Abbey, Dr John Hall.

Kirianne, whose husband Royal Marine Corporal Stephen Curley was killed in an IED explosion in Afghanistan in May 2010, attended the service as a special guest of the Legion. Kirianne is using the Legion's Independent Inquest Advice service to help her through the inquest into her husband's death and she said she was honoured to attend the service in Stephen’s memory.

“My husband Stephen was 26 years old when he was killed and our son, William, was just a few weeks old. I am forever grateful for all the support the Legion has given to me and my family. Carrying the Book of Remembrance is a once in a life time opportunity and a memory that I will treasure and will share with our son in the future.”

The Legion's National President, Lieutenant General Sir John Kiszely, lead the Exhortation, after which The Princess Royal laid a 90th Anniversary wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.

Penelope Keith read 'In Flanders Fields', and the prayers were delivered by the Legion's Director General Chris Simpkins and clergy from the three Services.

The official unveiling of the new portrait of HM The Queen by artist Darren Baker, took place after the service at a special reception.