Diss Family History Group

The Lophams Project

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North and South Lopham British Legion

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Robert J Rogers
Diss & District RBL
July 2025.

The Lophams Royal British Legion Branch opened in 1933 and seemed to have closed in 1951.
The last post found from the Diss Express that mention Lopham branch was in 1955 and it was an appeal to Diss & District British Legion for support for Poppy Collection, and it would seem up till 1999 there was still Poppy collecting being carried out in Lophams name.

There were many references to the Lophams British Legion and some of them can be found here.

There is a booklet containing all the information and the transcripts from the Diss Express.

Diss Express, 14 April 1933, page 4

THE LOPHAMS
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BRITISH LEGION.

At a meeting of ex-service men at North Lopham recently it was decided to form a branch of the British Legion to be called the Lopham branch. The officers elected were; Chairman, Mr. M. Birkbeck; vice chairman, Mr. R, Crowe; secretary, Mr. S. Clarke; treasurer, pro. tem, Mr. W. Duncan; provisional committee, Messrs D. Woodcroft, John E. Baker and Harry Baker.

A meeting the branch was at the “White Horse Inn”, South Lopham, on Friday evening when Mr. Birkbeck (chairman) presided over a dance. He was supported by Mr. F. S. Clarke (secretary), Major Shannons (area organising secretary), Mr W. King (treasurer) and Mr. R. Hunt (secretary of the Wymondham Branch), Mr. C. T. Draper (secretary), and Mr. G. W. Burlingham (social secretary of the East Harling Branch).

In his remarks Major Shannons said that they knew what comradeship was, they stuck together during the war, and ought to do so afterwards, He was pleased they had started a branch of the Legion and by doing so would set up a relief committee which was to help all ex-service men or their dependents. They gave the same to ex-serviceman who was not a member of Legion as to one who was a member and the Legion had to be there to give the relief. He prophesied that in time all ex-servicemen would join the Legion. He had 358 branches in the area and was aiming for 400 by the end of the year. When they formed a branch it was not going to be only for a week and it was up to them to back it up as much as they possibly could.

Good work was being done in conjunction with employment of large numbers of ex-service men having been placed in work. On a large number of Government schemes it was compulsory to employ 75% ex-servicemen if available. When they heard of these schemes they followed up the contractors and saw that the number was available. On one scheme alone about 200 men were employed. They were finding the men jobs, or some kind of work.

They had a pension scheme known as the Prince of Wales’ Pension Fund, and had done a great deal of good work, they had been able to get a large number of men these pensions which amounts to about 10/- per month.

A number of people, for reasons best known to themselves, had said that they were a political organisation and they were trying to keep up class, but that was wrong. They were non-political and non-sectarian.

When the meetings of the branch were held it was up to those who had questions to ask to ask them and when the business of the meeting was done to keep it to themselves and not talk about it outside. He wished the branch the best of luck.

Mr. Hart said he was glad they had started a branch in the villages and he hoped that all the ex-service men would join.

The Committee.

To bring the committee up to full strength it was decided that 4 men from each village should be elected. North Lopham, the three names already mentioned and Mr. Herbert Taylor. South Lopham Messrs. Robert Wallis, Jack Vincent, Sid Goodson and W. Duncan. Mr. Robert Crowe was elected treasurer.

Mr. Harry Clarke said that the scheme had been working in Wymondham, where 150 men had been employed and they had seen that 75% of that number were ex-servicemen. He wished the branch every success.

On the proposition of Mr. Crook, a vote of thanks was passed to Major Shannons, who suitably responded.

By 1951 the Branch was poorly supported.

Diss Express, 9 November 1951, page 5

LOPHAM BRITISH LEGION
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Meeting Poorly Attended

At meeting of the Lopham and District Branch of the British Legion held on Tuesday, was so poorly attended that the chairman (Mr. T. Alexander) stated that if no more Interest was shown at the annual general meeting on Thursday, the 29th., there would be no alternative but to close down the branch. After being in existence for nearly twenty years this was most distressing affair and he appealed to members of both wars to attend the meeting.

Arrangements were made for the Poppy Day collections and for the Remembrance services on Sunday, which were that the Rev. G. A. H. Cookesley should officiate for the services at Lopham, wreath laying ceremony to be performed at 10.20 a.m., a parade outside North Lopham Church at 10 am.. a service at North Lopham Church at 11 am., and at approximately 12 noon a wreath laying ceremony at North Lopham War Memorial.

Diss Express, 21 October 1955, page 3

Lopham British Legion Poppy Day Appeal

Sir,

May I appeal to the people of Diss and district to again give generously on Poppy Day for the Earl Haig Fund and for those who have time to do so to come forward as poppy sellers.

Thanks largely to the devotion of our far too few collectors, £193 was raised last year. I hope more will come forward and help us this year. The most practical expression of sympathy which anyone can offer is to volunteer now to assist our effort by giving their service in one form or another.

It is hoped that the amount raised this year will substantially increased and help to meet the mounting cost of maintaining the Rehabilitation Centres, Convalescent Homes, factories and industries for the disabled run by the British Legion.

To further this aim whist drive and dance are being run and house to house collection made during the week prior to Remembrance Sunday (21st October-10th November).

Local organisations and clubs may care to assist by running some function on behalf of the fund. As usual, there will be small garden of remembrance at the base of the memorial.

The Legion's service is great and vital one and I do ask you all to give generously when buying poppies.

Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
G. T. COLE,
Hon. Organiser.
12, St. Nicholas St, Diss.

Notes:

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