Royal-British Legion-Thetford Club

11/12/2025

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May he Rest in Peace

We remember Lance Corporal George Hooley of The Parachute Regiment, who died in Ukraine on 9 December 2025.

Lance Corporal Hooley died following a tragic accident whilst observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability, away from the front lines. He was 28 years old.

Born on 12 February 1997, Lance Corporal Hooley joined the Army in November 2015, attending the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick where he completed the renowned Pre-Parachute Selection Course (P Company) at the top of his cohort as ‘P Company Champion’.

He joined The Parachute Regiment where he progressed swiftly though key promotion courses, passing both The Parachute Regiment’s Junior Non-Commissioned Officers’ course and Section Commanders’ Battle Course with Distinction grades.

Lance Corporal Hooley was an exceptional soldier, and as a result of his performance and potential, was due to promote to Corporal in January 2026. As such, he was trusted with the responsibilities of a Corporal on this, his latest, deployment.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and members of The Parachute Regiment at this incredibly difficult time.

Utrinque Paratus.

08/11/2025

08/11/2025

This evening is the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, honouring all who have served. Watch the annual commemoration on BBC One at 9pm. We are proud to have our new standard bearer George taking part this year.

Image courtesy of the BBC.

15/08/2025

This VJ Day, we remember all those who fought for our freedom over 80 years ago.

15/08/2025

10/06/2025

10/06/2025

On 8 June 1944, men of the 1st Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment are pictured marching into Rome.

The men would garrison Rome (in company with the 3rd American Division), and were chosen as the senior battalion of the 1st (British) Division.

During the Italian Campaign of , the 'Dukes' took part in the Anzio Campaign, in an attempt to outflank the Gustav Line - designed to defend a western section of Italy, focused around the town of Monte Cassino, through which ran the important Highway 6 which led uninterrupted to Rome - and force a German retreat.

After the fall of Rome, the Germans carried out a skilful and methodical withdrawal to the Gothic Line, a well-prepared natural defensive line running just north of Florence and across the Apennines. In August, the 1st Battalion rejoined the battle, fighting in extremely difficult mountainous country as they pushed the German forces northwards.

The 1st Battalion also fought with distinction at the Battle of Monte Cece in October 1944, in their final major battle of the war, where Captain Arthur Burns was awarded a DSO and Private Richard Henry Burton of the 1st Battalion was awarded a Victoria Cross for his courageous action in the battle.

10/06/2025

On 9 June 1944, Allied transport moves across the Caen Canal Bridge at Bénouville in Normandy. The bridge was renamed Pegasus Bridge by the Corps of Royal Engineers, after the mythical winged horse on the formation sign of British airborne forces.

Bénouville was the scene of the first – and possibly most vital – battle of the Allied invasion of Europe on , 6 June 1944 and the night before.

A reinforced company of glider-borne troops from the 2nd Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, led by Major Reginald John Howard, landed around the bridge over the Caen Canal at Bénouville in three Horsa gliders and captured it from the Germans in a swift and dramatic attack.

Control of this bridge was vital to the success of the whole Operation Overlord invasion, because it would be the route of any German counter-attack eventually with their "Panzers" against the seaborne forces, which were due to start landing a few hours later on Sword beach.

Today, Pegasus Bridge and the nearby Café Gondrée are the scene of many pilgrimages and commemoration ceremonies, particularly around 6 June.

10/06/2025

On 10 June 1944, British airborne troops are pictured with French civilians between Ranville - the first village in Normandy to be liberated​ after - and Amfreville.

By 10 June, the Operation Overlord link between airborne troops (Operation Tonga) and troops brought to France by sea (Operation Neptune) had been achieved. Tanks which had arrived by sea had also fought their way to support the great glider and paratroop landing.

10/06/2025

17/03/2025

17/03/2025

Then there was none 😢

Blue Skies Sir 🫡