Queen celebrates Royal British Legion Industries ahead of remembrance day

The Queen was in Kent today (06/11) to help celebrate a special anniversary for a charity that's been offering vital support to former armed forces staff, military veterans and their families for 100 years.

The Royal British Legion Industries village at Aylesford provides a home for more than 300 residents as well as offering welfare, training and employment opportunities.

The Queen saw the first phase of a new development of specially adapted apartments for wounded former servicemen and women, and met many of the village's existing residents.

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Celebrating its centenary, the armed forces charity that started here a year after the end of World War One receives a visitor who has lived through 93 of those 100 years.

Through the morning and well into the afternoon, The Queen took her time at Royal British Legion Industries village speaking to dozens of war veterans and their families.

Among them was a former Royal Marine commando who has lived here since the death of his wife five years ago.

  • George Bradford- Former Royal Marine Commando

The oldest resident, Second World War veteran John Riggs - who fought behind enemy lines to protect India from Japanese invasion - said he was looking forward to receiving a card from The Queen when he turns 100 next year.

The Queen meets veteran, John Riggs, as part of her visit. Credit: ITV Meridian

Military veterans and civilians make road signs at the RBLI's on-site social enterprise branded Britain's Bravest Manufacturing Company.

Nigel Chambers has wanted to meet The Queen all his life Credit: ITV Meridian

Nigel Chambers, who came here 30 years after an industrial accident, has wanted to meet The Queen all his life. Today he did.

  • Nigel Chambers- Carpenter, RBLI

The Queen met the injured Army veteran who maintains the RBLI's centenary garden, Fiji-born John Ahben, who laid on a traditional Fijian greeting for VIPs.

Fiji-born John Ahben laid on a traditional Fijian greeting for the Queen Credit: ITV Meridian

Next it was time to think about another centenary.

She planted a time capsule - a letter from herself among the contents - to be opened here in a hundred years time.

The Queen planted a time capsule to be opened in a hundred years time Credit: ITV Meridian

She told the chief executive here she was delighted to spend time with veterans - and veterans' families - whose lives have been transformed by RBLI village.

  • Steve Sherry- CEO, Royal British Legion Industries

The RBLI will now embark on a £22million expansion programme for the veterans of the next 100 years.