Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League

The Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League (RCEL) represents the interests of Commonwealth citizens who have served with either the British or Commonwealth Forces. It was founded in 1921 (as the British Empire Service League) by Field Marshals Earl Haig and Jan Smuts to link together the various ex-service organisations throughout the Commonwealth.^[2]

Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League

Abbreviation	RCEL
Formation	1921
Founders	Earl Haig, Jan Smuts
Type	Ex-service organisation
Registration no.	231322
Legal status	Charity
Headquarters	Borough High Street London, SE1 United Kingdom
Region served	Worldwide
Official language	English
Patron	Lord Richards of Herstmonceux, GCB, CBE, DSO, DL[1]
Grand President	Lord Richards of Herstmonceux
Deputy Grand President	Major General Mitch Mitchell, CB, MBE
Secretary General	Christopher Warren
Affiliations	Memorable Order of Tin Hats, Returned & Services League of Australia, Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association, The Royal British Legion, The Royal Canadian Legion, South African Legion
Website	www.commonwealthveterans.org.uk
Formerly called	British Empire Service League

History

The archives of the League are retained at its headquarters in London (UK). The papers include minutes of the Council from 1952 onwards and those of the Executive Committee; reports of the Triennial Conference since 1921; annual audited accounts; and subject and correspondence files referring to individual ex-servicemen's organisations in various countries. A full set of the magazine Our Empire is also available. Special permission is required for access to the papers and further enquiries should be addressed to the Secretary-General.^[3]

See also

• British Empire
• Commonwealth of Nations
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• Remembrance Day