THE world’s first Royal British Legion branch is fighting closure in Wirral. Birkenhead British Legion, based within the grounds of Birkenhead Park, is desperate to recruit new members and avert closure plans.

Branch secretary Malcolm Upton – who was the sole member earlier this year – said it would be a great loss to the area if such an historic branch – located in a grand seven-storey building – closed.

Mr Upton said: “We’re trying to save the branch because over the last year some of our members have died and membership has dwindled.

“Lance Bombardier Frederick Lister, who lived in Birkenhead, founded the branch back in 1921 after seeing ex-servicemen com- ing back from war and forced to live in derelict workhouses.

“Many lived in appalling conditions so he wanted to raise money to help, and bought this house, which may have offered accommodation in the early days. There were a number of disabled societies across the country set up to help ex-servicemen and Lister, who was later knighted, united all the societies under the Royal British Legion.”

The house off Park Road East doesn’t have the same bar and social facilities as other clubs so it struggles to attract younger members, with half the building let off to a branch of the Royal Naval Association (RNA).

Wirral and Cheshire county organiser Julie Dove said: “People in Birkenhead aren’t aware that it was the first branch in the world. “If we save the branch, we save the building and we secure the future of the Poppy Appeal in Birkenhead.”

The branch has struggled this year to recruit a Poppy Appeal organiser and volunteers to distribute some of the 12,000 poppies across the town; £35,000 was raised last year.

Volunteers have been found to help with this year’s Poppy Appeal, but the branch still faces closure unless it can form a new committee.

A meeting to discuss the branch’s future will be held on December 16.

For further information, contact the regional office on 01925 629757 or the Birkenhead branch on 01516522774.

OPINION: PAGE 8

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