It is with great sadness that Harwell Branch announces that Branch Committee Member John Belton has passed away on 22nd December at the age of 92. He was a long standing, enthusiastic and committed member of Harwell RBL Branch and Committee and a lifelong support of the Royal British Legion
John joined Harwell Branch in February 1999, having been a supporter and member of the Legion for many years before that. He was the Standard Bearer for Didcot Branch and the first Standard Bearer for the Vale Group of Branches amongst other posts. He attended many parades and commemorations both locally, and further afield.
John was elected to the Harwell Branch Committee in 2005 and served continuously until his passing. He gave great encouragement and advice to the Committee, calling on his many years of experience. He encouraged the Branch to apply for Legion Awards to recognize the work of the other Committee members. Harwell records do not indicate which awards John had received, and the Branch regrets that he was not formally recognized in recent years.
John also did a number of unsung but important tasks for the Legion, including collecting Branch membership subscriptions in Didcot.
He was very generous and when the Branch decided that a new name should be added to the Harwell War Memorial, John provided a new stone plaque, and arranged for it to be carved and fitted. He also provided some Ceremonial equipment for the Harwell Standard Bearers which is still in use.
He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Poppy Appeal and collected in Didcot during the annual Poppy Appeal in years past.
He will be very much missed.
A family funeral took place at South Oxfordshire Crematorium on Tuesday 5th January, with the Branch Standard in attendance
John Belton, 1929-2021, in attendance at the annual D-Day Commemoration Parade at the Harwell Stone (Photo courtesy of Simon Haycox)