Taunton Branch of The Light Infantry Association, was formed in 1948 and as the County Town of Somerset which had long since been a Garrison town, it is only natural that it became the centre for most of Regimental Re-unions. Taunton Branch has always been proud of the fact that they have led the way by introducing a Ladies Section, many of which are wives or widows of former Light Infantrymen. In 1996 it became the only Branch to introduce an Associate Membership to add to its local membership for former Light Infantrymen who for various reasons either had no Association in their area or their employment made it impossible for them to attend such an organisation. There were of course,those who did not consider themselves old enough to become a Veteran,which posed the question, When does a former Military man become a veteran ? The answer of course is the moment you pass the Guard Room for the last time. It is of course easy to think that as you pass the guard room, that nothing will happen to you that is likely to cause any problem that you cannot handle yourself, but how sure can you be of that? The general viewpoint of what constitutes an Association is a bunch of old soldiers sitting around talking about how they beat Adolf Hitler, where as in reality those that are left talk very little about their experiences. The main function of an Association is to help those who for many reasons have fallen on hard and difficult times and in particular many of those who they once called Mucker. This year alone Taunton Branch has helped raise £46,000 for the Army Benevolent Fund, The Royal Star & Garter Home, for sick ex servicemen and St Margaret's Hospice who look after the terminally ill. In addition to this the Branch keeps in contact with the 120 Associate members who are dotted about the United Kingdom, by sending quarterly Newsletters to keep them up to date with where and what the Battalions are doing. These members are aware that should they fall on hard times, either by ill health of financial difficulty we are the FIRST AID in helping them require what might have been seen to them an impossible task. We are able to bring them to the notice of S.S.A.F.A. and help with the installation of stair lifts, wheelchairs and other pieces of equipment that they might have thought they themselves could not afford. We ask nothing of you other than you support this cause by making sure your name is on the Central Computer, so that we know where you are and in what condition, and to cover our expenses for printing and posting your Newsletter for £3 per year. We also have an entertainment agenda which is circulated each January for you and your lady to attend if you so wish. Neither do we forget members wives in the event that a member has passed away, circumstances of their health remain the same as it did for you. For more information please: Email me : or Email: Keith (Webmaster)
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