Special award for outstanding service to Royal British Legion

June Watson, of Warkworth and Amble District Royal British Legion, received a special award at the Annual Conference of Northumbria District Royal British Legion, which took place in Gateshead on Saturday.

June has been branch secretary for seven years and received her award for outstanding service to the Royal British Legion.

Since June became secretary of the branch, it has grown from an active membership of less than 10 to its current level of 85.

The branch meets bi-monthly and June always organises a military speaker or an event that ensures it is an interesting evening and, combined with a pooled supper, is enjoyed by members aged between 16 and 93.

June is also the local Poppy Appeal organiser.

“I am delighted to receive this award and to see the branch grow over the last few years,” she said.

“Our armed forces do a very difficult job for us and it is an absolute pleasure to be able to help them and their families in times of difficulty.

“We have a very friendly branch with both ex-service members and members who have had no military experience at all but just want to help those men and women who have done so much to protect our way of life.”

June’s interest in military history has developed to such a level that she is now studying the subject at Sunderland University and plans to hold an exhibition to commemorate the local men who served in the Battle of the Somme on Saturday, July 2, in Warkworth Memorial Hall.

The president of the Warkworth and Amble District Branch of the Royal British Legion is George Skipper, a D-Day veteran who was just 20 when he landed on Gold Beach in June 1944.

In November last year, he was presented with the Légion d’honneur – France’s highest honour – by honorary French Consul for the North East and Cumbria, Dr Andrew Robinson.