Ex-Service
The Royal Air Forces Association, Ile-de-France Branch
RAFA Île-de-France was created on merging RAFA Paris and RAFA Saint-Germain-en-Laye (founded in 1946 and 1956 respectively). Members included French veterans who responded to the 18 June 1940 call of Charles de Gaulle, by escaping to England and joining the Free French Forces in the RAF, the Royal Navy and British Army. Sadly, many have now passed on and it is our duty to keep their memory alive.
Ile-de-France Chairman: Wing Cdr Graham August RAF (Rtd), Tel: 09 54 75 23 42
The Royal Air Forces Association, Lyon “Jubilee” Branch
Founded in 1977, our primary concern is for the welfare of members and ex-members of the RAF family and their dependents living in the Lyon area. Throughout the year we are proudly present with our RAFA Standard Bearer at National celebrations such as VE Day, 11 November and at the many memorial sites in the area commemorating the human sacrifice of RAF and allied Airmen in WWII. We welcome any new members with like-minded motives.
President Sean Brady, seanbrady@numericable.fr
Chairman Brian J Millar MRAeS, brian.j.millar@orange.fr
Branch Secretary Rémi Bouché, remi_h_j_b@yahoo.fr
Branch Treasurer Leslie Blankley FRAeS, leslie.blankley@wanadoo.fr
Welfare Support Officer Steve Allcock, rafalyon.welfare@outlook.com
The Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA), Sud-Ouest France
RAF Association Sud-Ouest France (Loire to Spanish border). Membership comprises RAF veterans of many nationalities and those with an interest in all things aeronautical.
We meet regularly all over our region. Our support team of trained welfare officers takes active care of veterans and their dependents. We attend ceremonial commemorations remembering those RAF personnel who gave their lives in SW France. We are the charity that supports the RAF family.
Chair Squadron Leader Beryl Dennett Stannard RAF (Retd), Tel: 06 89 90 55 82
Secretary Squadron Leader Terry Dennett RAF (Retd), Tel: 05 46 95 38 89
The Royal British Legion, Lyon Liberation Branch
The Lyon Liberation Branch covers the Rhône-Alpes & Burgundy regions. The aims of the Branch are those of the RBL world-wide: we help serving and ex-service personnel and their families, and we raise funds through the Poppy Appeal. We are present with our Standard at a number of events during the year, and, together with the RAFA Lyon Jubilee Branch, we are involved in the annual Remembrance Ceremony at the Commonwealth War Graves cemetery at St. Germain au Mont d’Or, a few kilometres north of Lyon.
Chairman: Simon Wesley - simoncwesley@orange.fr
Vice-Chairman: Brian Rosen - brian.rosen@orange.fr
Secretary: Mary Vince - maryjvince@orange.fr
The Royal British Legion, Paris Branch
The Paris Branch, founded in 1921, can provide financial assistance for ex-servicemen and women and their dependents in the Ile-de-France Region, this being funded by the Poppy Appeal.
Ceremonies are organised at the Arc de Triomphe on 4th August and in the Cathedral of St. Louis, Les Invalides on 11th November since the devastating fire at Notre-Dame.
Membership is open to ex-Service and serving Service personnel, and to all who abide by the aims of the Legion. The Clubhouse premises may be available for use by Associations or for private events for a donation to the Royal British Legion.
28 rue des Acacias, 75017 Paris
paris@rblfrance.org
Branch Chairman: Richard Neave, Tel: 06 45 10 47 70, richard.neave05@gmail.com
Secretary: Janet Warby, Tel: 01 39 28 90 28, janetwarby@yahoo.com
House Manager: Elaine Taylor, Tel: 06 03 36 09 87, elainetayl@gmail.com
In addition to the Paris branch, there are the following RBL branches in France :
Bordeaux: Hon. Secretary - Anthony Dingle
Nord-Pas de Calais: Hon. Secretary - Jennie Knight, frajohn@mac.com
Lyon: see separate listing
Nice-Monaco: Chairman - Cdr M R Healy MBE, Tel: 04 93 01 30 00, mhealy@orange.fr
Somme: Hon. Secretary - Anita Platt, anitaplatt@hotmail.co.uk
Linazay Poitou-Charentes: Hon. Secretary - Jerry Morgan
Central Brittany: Secretary - Kevin Ball, secretary@rblbrittany.fr
Royal Naval Volunteer Association (Paris Branch)
Founded in Paris in 1950, the Association has some 30 members. Membership is open to all who have served in or with the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, WRNS and QARNNS and the French Navy. Associate membership is available to those who support the interests and aims of the Association in things naval and maritime. A luncheon is held each month as well as an annual dinner, at which members, guests and their spouses are welcome. The Naval Attaché is the Honorary President.
Michael Hunt
7 rue du Centre, 92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine
01 47 47 17 68
mjzhunt@gmail.com
SSAFA the Armed Forces Charity/SSAFA France
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has been providing lifelong support to our Forces and their families since 1885.
Last year our teams of volunteers and employees helped more than 85,000 people in need, from Second World War veterans to those who have served in more recent conflicts or are still currently serving, and their families.
SSAFA France provides this support for our Forces veterans and their families here in France.
Should you need help, please contact:
Chairman: Keith Cima, Tel: 05 53 24 92 38, Keith.Cima@France.ssafa.org.uk
Secretary: Mrs Lesley Blake, Lesley.Blake@France.ssafa.co.uk
TOC-H
The Paris Branch, started in 1937, offers friendship and social contact for “senior” British citizens who may feel cut off and in need of a friendly smile in a relaxed atmosphere.
Tea, including sandwiches, cake and chat are on offer every second Monday of the month at different locations around the city. Special lunches also take place. Occasionally outings are organised to places of interest.
President Valerie Chemama, valerie.chemama@neuf.fr, Tel: 01 64 21 74 13