Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL)

ROSL will play host to the 'Unremembered' Wreaths on Sunday 11 November, as part of a project which aims to commemorate the contribution of the Labour Corps to the war effort.

Like the artists, poets and writers of the era, the world was also robbed of many of its brightest musical talents. In the latest edition of Overseas Stephen Johns, Artistic Director at the Royal College of Music, looks back at the composers who were lost during the First World War, and those whose experiences informed their later works. 

Many ROSL members have served or have family who have served in the armed forces. As part of our centenary commemorations for WWI in 2018 and 70^th anniversary of WWII in 2019, ROSL is creating a memory board showcasing people’s stories. Read the account of ROSL member Barry Whittaker, who returned to his father’s grave in Normandy, many years after he died, along with thousands of others, as part of the push inland following the D-Day landings. 

Over the past four years, the world has commemorated the centenary of the First World War in vivid and thought-provoking style, most notably in the UK via the installation by artist Paul Cummins of Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red at the Tower of London, a moving depiction of the 888,246 British and Commonwealth servicemen killed in the war in the form of ceramic poppies. 

As 2018 draws to a close, and with it the centenary commemorations of the end of the First World War, Director-General Diana Owen reflects on this year's Battlefield Tour, which took members to the 1918 battlefields of Northern France. 

To commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War, ROSL ARTS presents the music and musicians of the era through three varied concerts. When war broke out in the early 20th century, music was becoming a larger part of society than ever before, with gramophones being increasingly accessible and sheet music more affordable than ever. 

Yesterday saw ROSL's Remembrance activities commerating the centenary of the end of the First World War conclude, with a moving memorial service and a concert from the London Military Band. 

The Blitz, Land Girls, and espionage: the Home Front is a staple of any history lesson on WWII today. However, the effort by those who stayed at home during WWI is often overlooked despite the large role ordinary citizens played in ensuring an Allied victory. At the Royal Over-Seas League for example, our founder Evelyn Wrench embarked on a series of fundraising schemes to support the needs of Allied troops and raised over £1,000,000 (£50,000,000 today). This money went towards providing comfort packs for the Troops, funding the Red Cross and purchasing 250 aeroplanes and seaplanes. 

Today marks the anniversary of the largest seaborne invasion in history when Operation Neptune, the codename for the Normandy landings, saw Allied forces begin the invasion of Europe in France, during the Second World War. 

Autumn will see ROSL honour those who fought and lost their lives during the First World War as commemorations reach a climax, marking the centenary of Armistice on 11 November 1918. 

Last night we saw the second of our three First World War Concerts Never Such Innocencewith actor Christopher Kent and ROSL prizewinner Gamal Khamis. This show is touring the UK and we were happy to have the opportunity to present it to our ROSL members so close to the centenary of armistice.