Soldiers angry as ‘British’ dropped from Legion

On the eve of Remembrance Sunday, old soldiers have hit out at a name change that has seen the Royal British Legion Scotland rebranded as Legion Scotland.
Kevin GrayKevin Gray
Kevin Gray

Controversy has engulfed the veterans’ charity after the change of name came to light.

Some veterans are dismayed by the move and pro-Union supporters have taken to social media to complain about the removal of the word British from the official title of the organisation, formed at the end of the First World War to look after those who have served in the armed forces.

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But the wisdom of changing identity during the referendum year was questioned by Lt General Sir Norman Arthur, formerly Scotland’s most senior soldier.

“I, for one, am certainly someone who would be upset by this,” said Sir Norman, who campaigned for a No vote before the September 18 poll.

Kevin Gray MM, CEO of Legion Scotland, said: “The day-to-day name of Legion Scotland has been in place since May 2014 and was launched, along with new services, to place the charity in a stronger position to help the ex-service community of Scotland. It helps to clearly differentiate us as a charity from The Royal British Legion group of charities.”

Today the charity defended the rebranding, pointing out that the legal name remained the Royal British Legion Scotland, but that the “trading name” had been changed in order to differentiate it from the Royal British Legion.