NO information either! What, the Branch Members asked, had happened to the old minute books? Diligent questioning of the older members established that the early records had gone missing over 30 years ago.
However, headquarters in London did state that if definite records could be produced showing the existence of a Branch in Newcastle Emlyn in 1921, then a letter of Authorisation would be forthcoming.
The two members who had volunteered to look through the archives of the local press in Cardigan, Aberystwyth and Carmarthen came up with only one piece of information from the ‘Carmarthen Journal’, dated June 29th 1923, which stated “Members of the British Legion at Newcastle Emlyn are preparing for a rally to be held on the Castle Grounds on July 7th …..” or maybe – just maybe that headquarters would accept the entry from January 20th 1922, again in the ‘Carmarthen Journal’, “Cenarth Cenotaph unveiled by Lord Cawdor. Ex-serviceman from Newcastle Emlyn & Cenarth marched from Newcastle Emlyn.”
Again it was hoped that 1921 would be accepted as the formation date with a report in the ‘Tivyside’ for November 18th 1932, inasmuch that “The 13th Annual Banquet was held at the Emlyn Arms Hotel when nearly 150 people attended,” also stating that David Evans has been Secretary for thirteen years”.
However this was still not regarded as being enough proof, and the battle for Branch recognition continued.