Forthcoming Events & News

The family fun day will commence after the special event at approximately 1400.

Activities for the children will include a bouncy castle, connect five, giant jenga and face painting, along with other inclusive fun games.

Timetable for the day  

0900 – Raise Union Flag at the Royal British Legion Liss

1200 – Set up the main hall for the presentation and lecture commencing at 1300

             To include lectern’s – projector – screen – complimentary tea and coffee.

              In excess of Fifty guests expected including Counsel Jacek Grabowski from the Polish Embassy.

              Kohima Monument and Legion Standards positioned in the main hall.

1200 – Set up BBQ, Bouncy Castle and children’s activities for fun day.

1245 – Welcome guests for the presentation. Lt Colonel Sarah Clay to escort Counsel Jacek Grabowski

1300 – All guests to be seated for the presentation in the main hall.

             Welcome and Introduction by Frank Smyth – Chairman Royal British Legion Liss Branch          

            Presentation by Paul McCue – Complete by 1320

            Address by Dr Robert Gawloski, Polish Embassy and Historian (tbc)           

1330   Unveiling of the memorial Plaque provided by the Secret WW2 Learning Network to  be displayed at the Royal British Legion Liss.

1400 –Armed Forces Fun Day commences – until 1800

1450 – Flypast by RAF Chinook Helicopter from 28 Squadron based at RAF Odium – subject to weather and operational constraints.

1800 – Union Flag lowered.

1800 –2100 Disco in the main hall – followed by World Cup Football 

Introduction

Armed Forces Day will be held this year on Saturday June 27^th and will be celebrated nationally. Liss Royal British Legion will be holding a Families Fun Day and BBQ commencing at 1400, prior to that there will be a special event in the main hall to which everyone is invited.

All members of the Liss Community are welcome to come along and enjoy the event.

Special Event

Prior to the Armed Forces Day celebrations we will be honouring two WW2 heroes who contributed so much to the Allies winning the War and ensuring our peace in the years since.

The two men Henryk Zygalski and Stefan Nowak passed away with no meaningful memorial in their honour, this event will help us go a little way towards rectifying that oversight.

Henryk was a Mathematician and Cryptologist who, working with others in pre-war Poland, started the work to crack the enigma code used by the German Armed Forces. This work was transferred to the Allies at the outbreak of WW2 and expanded at Bletchley Park.

Stefan was a member of the Polish resistance and part of a team who recovered a crashed V1 rocket from under the Germans noses. This act was covered in the 1950’s film “Battle for the V1”. Comments of the day suggested that the partisans involved in recovering the crashed V1 did not receive the credit they should have. Stefan’s son is still a member of the Liss Royal British Legion.

At 1300 on Saturday 27^th June the Liss Historical Society will do a short presentation about Henryk Zygalski and his contribution to the war effort. A shorter brief about Stefan Nowak will follow.

Two commemorative plaques will be displayed in the Liss Royal British Legion for all to see. It is hoped members of the Polish Community will be in attendance.

Armed Forces Day

The family fun day will commence after the special event at approximately 1400.

Activities for the children will include a bouncy castle, connect five, giant jenga  and face painting, along with other fun inclusive games.

Timetable for the day   

0900 – Raise Union Flag raised at the British Legion

1200 – Set up the main hall for the presentation and lecture commencing at 1300

1200 – Bouncy Castle and children’s activities set up.

1245 – Welcome guests for the presentation

1300 – Presentation in the main hall – complete by 1330

1330 – Set up BBQ and activities ready for Fun Day

1400 – Armed Forces Fun Day commences – until 1800

BBQ

The club committee will be organising and preparing the BBQ which will be set up in front of the club house.

Funding for the event

A funding request of £500 has been approved by the Liss Parish Council, their continuing support is greatly appreciated.

Publicity

Posters for the event will be displayed around the village and details will be published on the club website and all social media programmes.

Please spread the word so as many of our local community as possible are able to join us and enjoy the event.

ACT OF REMEMBRANCE OF 81st ANNIVERSARY OF VE DAY

LISS WAR MEMORIAL, FRIDAY 8 MAY 2026

1. The Act of Remembrance to commemorate the 81^st Anniversary of VE Day, 8^th May 1945 will be held at the War Memorial at 11am on the 8^th May 2026.

2. The Commemoration consists of the Two Minute Silence followed by a short prayer session. It will be observed in the following order:

Exhortation recited (see below) by the Chairman Liss Branch RBL.

         Last Post sounded.

         Two Minute Silence then begins.

         End of the silence signalled by the sounding of the Reveille followed by the     Kohima Epitaph

3. The Exhortation:

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old,

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning

We will remember them.”

Response (All): “We will remember them.”

4. Kohima Epitaph:

“When you go home, tell them of us and say

For your tomorrow we gave our today”.

5. Timings

         0900  Union Flag raised at the RBL Club

1045 RBL Chairman, Standard Bearer and Bugler assemble at RBL Club

1050  Wreath Layer, Standard Bearer and Bugler proceed to Memorial

1055  Parade assembled at War Memorial and introduction given

1059  Exhortation (20s) Last Post (60s)

1100  Silence

         1102  Reveille then Kohima Epitaph

         1103  Laying of Wreath

         1105 Prayers led by the Priest

         1110  Thanks for Attendance & Dispersal

Priest: Rev Clare Welham, St Mary’s Church

Bugler: Geof Parr, Liss Band

Chairman Liss RBL: Commander Frank Smyth

RBL Liss Standard Bearer: Scott Cormie

Fabulous turn out for the Sunday Remembrance as ususal and the Chinook fly past was extra special.  Many thanks Lee.