Often simply referred to as The Legion, The Royal British Legion is a charitable British organization that was created to provide not just financial support but also social and emotional assistance to the dependents, veterans, and members of the British Armed Forces. 

The merger of four organizations: the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilized Sailors and Soldiers, the Comrades of the Great War, the National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers and the Officers’ Association create the British Legion in 1921. It served as the voice of the ex-Service community and was granted Royal Charter on the 29th of May 1971. The charter marked the fiftieth anniversary of the organization and gave them the privilege of using the prefix “Royal.” One of the founders of this institution was Earl Haig who was once a commander during the Battle of Somme and Passchendaele. He served as the group’s president until his death. 

The Legion is considered a campaigning organization that promotes the interests and welfare of all members of the British Armed Forces. They are best known for the yearly Poppy Appeal and Remembrance Services. They make about 300,000 friendship and welfare visits annually and fights nearly 36,000 ongoing War Disablement Pension cases for veterans. One of the most successful campaigns of the group was their 2000 campaign for a millennium gratuity for Far East prisoners of war. Some of their ongoing campaigns include the upgrading of War Pensions, extension of endowment mortgage compensation for British military personnel serving overseas, compensation and understanding of the Gulf War syndrome, and better support for those British military personnel who are going back to their civilian lives.

The Legion receives support in various means including the Poppy Appeal, Jump4Heroes, South Pole Centenary Race, Friends of the Forces and by working closely with individual and combines services sporting associations.