Education student raises the flag at Royal Albert Hall

First year Education BA(Hons) student, Leo Jordan, was honoured to be one of 80 Royal British Legion Standard Bearers at this year’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Leo chats about how they got involved with the Royal British Legion and the honour of being involved with the event:

“I have been involved with the youth cadet organisation the Sea cadets, more specifically the Royal Marines Cadet Detachment, for almost five years. One key part of this is annual Poppy Appeal collections – this would often lead to rather long conversations with many different veterans about their service history and how the Royal British Legion had helped them.

“This led me to find out more about the Royal British Legion and what they do. From this I became a Royal British Legion Branch Standard Bearer for my local branch which allowed me to take part in training and small local events so that I could help remember those lost to war. It also helped me find another small way I can give back to those who fought for the country and ultimately made the huge sacrifice of their life.

“This year I was lucky enough to be selected to take my Branch Standard to the Royal Albert Hall Festival of Remembrance which is also televised on BBC 1. This involved me taking part with 80 other standards and marching down the steps and taking part in the march in front of the King.

“This was the first time it had taken place in this huge country wide event. Before this invite I would take part in local remembrance events yearly including Battle of Britain, Remembrance and the Royal British Legion National Conference. I would also take part in Members of the Royal British Legion Funerals for both veterans and those who were members of the Legion.

“The most memorable part of the day for me was the pride I felt marching down those steps with my standard up knowing that there were thousands of people watching and being able to take part in one of the biggest remembrance ceremonies in the UK. I will also never forget the Proud moment of being stood there and parading my standard from a fairly small branch in front of the King at the first remembrance event since the Passing of Queen Elizabeth the second.”

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