LOCAL Royal British Legion (RBL) members have re-created a historic pilgrimage of 1928, to honour those who lost their lives in the First World War.

Representatives from the Pocklington branch of RBL joined thousands of armed forces veterans and supporters from around the world for a pilgrimage of remembrance to some of the First World War’s most poignant sites.

More than 2,200 veterans paid tribute on a spectacular two-mile march through Ypres, in Belgium, to the Commonwealth War Grave Commission’s Menin Gate memorial.

They were led by 1,100 standard bearers.

The three-day event saw participants visit the trenches, battlefields and cemeteries of France and Belgium.

Mark Abel and Kevin Warcup attended the Great Pilgrimage 90, to represent the Pocklington RBL, as a standard bearer and wreath layer.

Kevin, chairman of the branch, said: “Being part of such an historic event, and representing the Pocklington branch in commemorating those that lost their lives in the First World War, was an honour I will never forget.”

The first Great Pilgrimage, on August 8, 1928, saw 11,000 veterans and war widows visit the Somme and Ypres before marching to the Menin Gate.

Bob Gamble, RBL’s head of commemorative events, said: “The Great Pilgrimage 90 was the Legion’s biggest membership event in modern history and is a suitable tribute from our members in honour of the First World War generation, echoing the way our community commemorated the tenth anniversary of the conflict.

RBL is the UK’s biggest armed forces charity, providing care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present and their families.

It champions remembrance and safeguards the Armed Forces Covenant.

For more information visit www.britishlegion.org.uk, or to find out how to get involved with your local branch contact rbl.leslie.usher@gmail.com