ROYAL
BRITISH LEGION AWARDS
FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE
should be recognised. But care must be taken that the system is not misused for
giving awards simply for long service.
GENERAL
The Legion recognises any outstanding contribution by members to the organisation through a series of awards. These awards are:
AWARDS
National Certificate of Appreciation
National Life Membership
Gold Badge
NATIONAL LIFE MEMBERSHIP
National Life membership may be awarded to a member who has given
at least ten years meritorious and conspicuous service to the objectives of
the Legion as defined by the Royal Charter and who holds the Legion Gold
Badge. The recipient retains his full rights without payment of
subscriptions for the rest of his natural life.When National Life membership is approved a framed certificate is sent to the member's branch for issue, together with a National Life membership card and badge.
GOLD BADGE
The Gold Badge may be awarded to a member who has given at
least eight years meritorious and conspicuous service to the objectives of
the Legion as defined by the Royal Charter. Following National Chairman’s approval to the award, the formation must meet the cost of the badge. On the death of a recipient the badge becomes the property of the next of kin, who may retain it or return it to the formation to issue to another individual for whom the award has been approved.
CRITERIA FOR NATIONAL AWARDS
The Board of Trustees emphasise the need to preserve the value of national awards. The length of service only qualifies the member for consideration. The important factor in any award is the performance of that service: the person must have served with distinction and have played an outstanding part in the conduct of Legion affairs.
Candidates should only be put forward for consideration for an award where it can be clearly demonstrated that not only has the qualifying period of service been completed, but that the achievements during that service are such as to merit special recognition.
Recently we have had to return applications for Gold Badges, National Life Membership and National Certificates of Appreciation which do not meet the criteria for each application. Whilst we understand the disappointment at this we have a duty to ensure that the integrity of these awards is maintained. These awards are the highest that the Legion can bestow on its members and as such are judged by the criteria that are laid down. The basic requirement for these awards which is in addition to those listed at Part 4 of the application is:
"The nominee's meritorious and conspicuous service to the objects of the Legion
as defined by the Royal Charter over and above the normal expected"
Formations at Part 1 of each application should submit a detailed citation on the nominee. We consider that a detailed citation should not consist solely of a list of offices held, but should include information about service over and above the basic requirements. As a guide an ideal citation should be constructed as follows:
Paragraph 1. Explain what meritorious service the nominee has done at branch level including the various appointments he has held. This should not just be a list of offices held.
Paragraph 2. Explain what meritorious service the nominee has done, if any, at Group, County or National level. Again this should just not be a list of offices held.
Paragraph 3. Explain what meritorious and conspicuous service the nominee has done over and above Paragraphs 1 and 2. This might include:
- Showing cheerful personality and unique leadership
- Organisation of local and national Legion events like Festivals of Remembrance, Pilgrimages, etc.
- Liaising with local authorities in the interest of the branch.
Please do not use expressions such as "Stalwart of the Legion", or "This man deserves the Gold Badge or National Life Membership" in the citation. The first is meaningless and the latter is for the judging panel to decide.
National Chairman
The
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