Bergen-Holne Branch e.V. Germany
http://www.rbl-bergen.de/

The branch was formed in Hohne army camp in 1991, and initially meetings were held in the R.A.O.B. lodge.  Situated on the edge of, but outside the perimeter fence of Hohne camp, the building was used as a canteen by the military laundry for many years after the war. In January 1997, the R.A.O.B. were given new premises inside the camp and the branch officially took over the building.  After months of very hard work the premises were ready for use.

We are approximately four miles north of the Belsen Memorial, which is what is left of the infamous concentration camp, and about ten miles south of the Becklingen war cemetery. The branch secretary has a database of all the graves in the war cemetery, kindly provided by the garrison sergeant major, which we will gladly share with anyone researching the subject of war graves.

On a sunny Sunday afternoon, the 22 June 1997, the branch hosted dignitaries to a Grand Opening, including Graham Dowling, Chairman of the National Council of the RBL, and Col Villalard, deputy garrison commander.

Local soldiers and their families were invited, as well as all branches in Germany , with their standards. The C.O. of 32 Armoured Engineer Regiment took the opportunity to donate DM1000 to the Poppy Appeal.

Col Villalard became a member of the Bergen-Hohne branch on this day and had the honour of having his membership application proposed by the national chairman.

The branch Chairman collected the Jellicoe Cup at the annual National Conference in Bournemouth on Sunday, 30 May 1999. The Cup is awarded to the small branch worldwide (fewer than 100 members) that has the best record in recruiting over a three-year period.  Ours is one of only a handful of Overseas Branches to have won this award.

We have hosted many very successful functions over the years including such diverse events as Summer Balls, quiz nights, cheese and wine parties, and rocky horror picture show nights. Our New Year and Christmas Parties are always a sell-out, the last two being the best yet.

Dinner nights, Sunday lunches, bingo sessions and darts matches are regular occurrences.

We provide standard-bearers for the pilgrims who visit the Becklingen war cemetery each year, our standards lead the procession on Remembrance Sunday at the garrison service in the war graves cemetery and we have been visited by many U.K. branch members who come  to see their serving relatives.  

The Legion made a dream come true           Kimberley was only three when the car she was travelling in with her family was hit head on by another vehicle.   Kimberley ’s head shot for ward and she broke her neck, despite having been strapped into a child seat.           As an eight-year-old, she surprised her parents, (Dad is a lance corporal in 32 Engineer Regiment) after watching her favourite Walt Disney film, Cinderella, that she wanted to visit the castle.  Although insurance money will pay the staggering cost of care for Kimberley for the rest of her life, the luxury of taking the whole family on holiday is not covered by the compensation.  The Bergen-Hohne Branch of the Legion raised enough money to get her there. Kimberley  with Mum and Dad  at the presentation