Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League
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| Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1921 Cape Town, South Africa |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Allegiance | British Commonwealth |
| Type | non-profit (veterans organization) |
| Patron | Queen Elizabeth II (since 1952) |
| Motto | 'ensure that no Commonwealth ex-serviceman or woman is without help if in need' |
The Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League was founded in 1921 in Cape Town, South Africa, as the British Empire Services League by Field Marshal Earl Haig and Field Marshal Jan Smuts to link together ex-service organisations from throughout the British Empire. It was renamed the British Commonwealth Ex-Services League (BCEL) in 1958 and then the Commonwealth Ex-Services League (CEL) in 2002. The appellation "Royal" was granted by royal assent in 2003. The RCEL has 57 member organisations from 47 Commonwealth and former Commonwealth nations.
The RCEL's affiliates include:
- The Royal Canadian Legion (founded as the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Services League)
- Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association
- Returned and Services League of Australia
- The Royal British Legion
- Indian Ex-Services League
- South African Legion of Military Veterans
The League's head office is at Haig House, 199 Borough High Street in London.
External links
- Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League
- RCEL: For Service And Honour by Jennifer Morse published in Legion Magazine, 1 November 2008.
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