Cromer Women's Royal British Legion to fold up after 99 years

And now the final salute beckons for the Women’s Section of the Royal British Legion in Cromer as it is set to close in its 99th year due to a decrease in membership.

Following the closure of the Cromer branch, there will be just four remaining Women’s Sections of the legion in Norfolk.

Chairman of the Cromer Women’s Section, Hilary Cox, said: “The decision to close the branch is not one that is taken lightly but after many attempts to save the Cromer Women’s Section, the decision to close was our only option.

 “This is something we really wish we could have avoided. Formed in 1926 we would have liked to have commemorated our centenary, but it wasn’t to be”.

Women’s Sections of the Royal British Legion were first formed in 1921, after the First World War to protect the interests of widows and families of ex-servicemen.

Branch Chairman Hilary Cox MBE as the standard bearer for the Norfolk County Women’s Section. (Image: Royal British Legion Cromer Branch)

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The Cromer Women’s Section first met on 22 January 1926.

A formal closure event will take place in Cromer Parish Church on Sunday, September 15 where the branch standard will be carried in public for the final time.

The standard will then be handed over to the church, where it was first dedicated, to be laid-up and put on display.

Members of the public are invited to attend service on September 15 at 2pm to observe the end of one of the last remaining Women’s Sections in Norfolk.

The remaining four women's branches across Norfolk are Swaffham, Wroxham Hoveton & District, Downham & District and Kings Lynn & District.