Ex-Service
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), founded in 1917 by Sir Fabian Ware, commemorates Commonwealth forces who died in the World Wars. Caring for over 1.7 million graves across 150 countries, our mission is to ensure the fallen are remembered and the human cost of war is honored. In France, CWGC commemorates 575,000 Commonwealth soldiers, maintained in nearly 3,000 cemeteries with the support of 400 dedicated employees.
Email: contact.wea@cwgc.org
The Royal Air Forces Association, Ile-de-France Branch
RAFA Île-de-France was created on merging RAFA Paris and RAFA Saint-Germain-en-Laye (founded in 1946 and 1956 respectively). Members included French veterans who responded to the 18 June 1940 call of Charles de Gaulle, by escaping to England and joining the Free French Forces in the RAF, the Royal Navy and British Army. Sadly, many have now passed on and it is our duty to keep their memory alive.
Ile-de-France Chairman: Wing Cdr Graham August RAF (Retd), Tel: 09 54 75 23 42
The Royal Air Forces Association, Lyon “Jubilee” Branch
We care for the welfare of the RAF family, serving or retired, and for their dependents; also for members who are ex-Free French aviators. Lyon Jubilee Branch covers an extensive area encompassing most of eastern France and we are proud to be present with our Standard Bearer, together with the RBL Lyon Liberation Branch and other military associations, at many memorial events in our area commemorating the human sacrifice of RAF, Commonwealth and Allied Airmen.
President Sean Brady, bradypa206@yahoo.com
Chairman Brian J Millar MRAeS, brian.j.millar@orange.fr
Branch Secretary Shirley Faust, sbfaust@ymail.com
Branch Treasurer Leslie Blankley FRAeS, leslie.blankley@wanadoo.fr
Welfare Support Officer Anne Daynes, annedaynes66@gmail.com
The Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA), Sud-Ouest France
RAF Association Sud-Ouest France (Loire to Spanish border). Membership comprises RAF veterans of many nationalities and those with an interest in all things aeronautical.
We meet regularly all over our region. Our support team of trained welfare officers takes active care of veterans and their dependents. We attend ceremonial commemorations remembering those RAF personnel who gave their lives in SW France. We are the charity that supports the RAF family.
Chair Squadron Leader Beryl Dennett Stannard RAF (Retd), Tel: 06 89 90 55 82
Secretary Squadron Leader Terry Dennett RAF (Retd), Tel: 05 46 95 38 89
The Royal British Legion – Bordeaux & S.W. France Branch
It is thought that the branch existed before WWII but it traces its current existence to 22nd November 1946. We cover Nouvelle-Aquitaine, an area larger than Scotland, and have 4 priorities. Welfare support for the Military, Veterans and their Families. Liaison with other Military Charities in France. Raising funds for the Annual Poppy Appeal. Remembrance and Ceremonial duties in the area. Regular updates are posted on our Facebook Page.
Chairman: Duncan Andrews andrewsin33@gmail.com 05.57.64.46.21
Secretary: Philip Morrison morrison.philip@orange.fr
Treasurer: Paul Phillips MBE paul.phillipsmbe@gmail.com
The Royal British Legion, Lyon Liberation Branch
The Lyon Liberation Branch covers Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Bourgogne Franche-Comté. As with the RBL world-wide, we help serving and ex-service personnel and their families, and we raise funds through the Poppy Appeal. We are present with our Standard at many remembrance events, across the two regions, during the year : these vary from a memorial in a small commune in a rural area to a major commemoration such as the Liberation of Lyon.
Chairman: Garth Drury - garthlyon@gmail.com
Vice-Chairman: Brian Rosen
Secretary: Mary Vince - LyonLiberation.Secretary@RBL.Community
The Royal British Legion, Paris Branch
The Paris Branch, founded in 1921, can provide financial assistance funded by the Poppy Appeal to ex-servicemen and women and their dependents in the Ile-de-France Region. Ceremonies are organised at the Arc de Triomphe on 4 August and in the Cathedral of Saint-Louis des Invalides on 11 November. Membership is open to ex and serving Service personnel, and all who abide by the aims of the Legion. Clubhouse premises may be used by Associations or private events for a donation to the RBL.
28 rue des Acacias, 75017 Paris Tel. 01 47 42 19 26
Branch Chairman: Richard Neave, richard.neave05@gmail.com
Branch Vice-Chairman: Pierre Quenot
Hon. Secretary: Janet Warby, Tel: 01 39 28 90 28, janetwarby@yahoo.com
House Manager: Elaine Taylor, Tel: 06 03 36 09 87, elainetayl@gmail.com
In addition to the Paris branch, there are the following RBL branches in France :
Bordeaux & SW France *: see separate listing
Central Brittany: Hon. Secretary - Kevin Ball, secretary@rblbrittany.fr
Lyon: see separate listing
Nord-Pas de Calais: Hon. Secretary - Jennie Knight, frajohn@mac.com
Somme: Hon. Secretary - Anita Platt, anitaplatt@hotmail.co.uk
* This branch covers the whole of Nouvelle Aquitaine and is happy to help with Poppies, Wreaths and assistance anywhere in France not covered by another branch.
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Association, Paris Branch
Founded in Paris in 1950, the Association has some 25 members. Membership is open to all who have served in or with the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, WRNS and QARNNS or the French Navy. Associate membership is available to those who support the interests and aims of the Association in things naval and maritime. A luncheon is held each month as well as an annual dinner, at which members, guests and their spouses are welcome. The Naval Attaché is the Honorary President.
Michael Hunt
7 rue du Centre, 92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine
01 47 47 17 68
mjzhunt@gmail.com
SSAFA the Armed Forces Charity/SSAFA France
SSAFA has provided lifelong support to our Forces and their families since 1885.
Last year our team of volunteers in France helped some 200 people. Our support covers financial, welfare and administrative needs for veterans and their families in France, also some Merchant Navy and British Airways veterans.
Should you, or someone you know, need help, wish to volunteer for casework, support the lonely, or assist with fund-raising, then please contact 06 83 85 39 09 or France.branch@ssafa.org.uk
Chairman: Keith Cima, Keith.Cima@France.ssafa.org.uk
Secretary: Mrs Lesley Blake, Lesley.Blake@France.ssafa.co.uk