Our History
Founded in 1919 to support WWI veterans, RBVE continues to empower veterans and people with disabilities through employment, homes, and communities.
Our History
Founded in 1919 to support soldiers returning from the First World War, RBVE has spent over a century helping veterans rebuild their lives. From tuberculosis care to modern employment and homes, our commitment has always been to stand by those who’ve served and help them thrive after injury.
RBVE was founded to support WWI soldiers discharged with tuberculosis.
Preston Hall became a specialist hospital for 240 veterans, marking the beginning of the RBVE Village we still have today.
Bungalows and houses were added within a year, so that disabled veterans could live independently.
An on-site factory began manufacturing wooden toys and soap, employing veterans in the Village and enabling them to support their families. This was the start of our social enterprise model, providing work opportunities for veterans.
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent visited the Village and became Patron, strengthening our long-standing Royal support.
RBVE’s factory expanded to include a cutting-edge reflective signs department, employing more than 100 workers with disabilities. This growth laid the foundations for the manufacturing legacy we continue today.
The Duchess of Kent visited again, meeting residents and staff and recognising the growth of the Village community.
Her Majesty The Queen bestowed the Royal prefix, recognising our national contribution to veteran support.
With this prefix, the charity was then known as Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI). Although entirely separate from The Royal British Legion, the two organisations shared a similar name.
During this period, RBVE expanded its work to support people with disabilities from the wider community.
We built more homes tailored to different needs: emergency accommodation, supported living, nursing care, and family homes. This ensures veterans can access the right support at the right time.
RBVE delivered major national programmes supporting disabled people into work, including: Workstep (1998-2008), The New Deal for Disabled People (2000-2008), The Fit-for-Work Pilot (2010), Work Choice (2009-2012), The Work Programme (2011-2017), Access to Work (2008-2022), Coast to Capital (2016-2022) and Building Better Opportunities (2016-2022).
During this time, the charity became highly respected and a national expert in disability employment.
We launched Lifeworks in partnership with The Parachute Regiment to support injured Afghanistan veterans. Today, Lifeworks reaches more than 1,000 injured and sick Forces veterans every year, as well as military family members, and 80% of participants secure paid work or training within 12 months.
In the same year, Remploy closed its factories, so RBVE employed many adults with learning difficulties directly in its social enterprise factories. This ensured they could continue to live full and independent lives.
To mark the WWI centenary, artist Martin Barraud created a powerful installation in Penshurst, placing Tommy figures in every pew of the village church. Each figure represented a real young man the community had lost.
RBVE’s social enterprise produced thousands of Tommy figures for churches, schools, stadiums, train stations and workplaces across the UK. Tommy became a national symbol of remembrance, and an iconic part of the RBVE brand.
RBVE’s social enterprise is rebranded as Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (BBMC). Its factories in Kent and Surrey produce high‑quality signage and fulfilment services for the RBVE shop, providing meaningful employment and skills development for people who face barriers to work.
Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (SBMC) opens its doors, bringing RBVE’s proven social enterprise model to Scotland.
Her Majesty The Queen visited The Centenary Village, our £28 million development that will deliver 100 new homes for veterans and their families by 2027.
This was a proud milestone in our century-long history.
The Tommy Club is founded at the height of the global Covid pandemic to bring supporters together, combat social isolation and champion RBVE’s work with veterans. Its members and Founding Patrons help raise awareness, celebrate the Tommy brand and support veterans facing homelessness.
The Great Tommy Sleep Out, an annual nationwide event each March that raises vital funds for homeless veterans, is launched.
Tommy merchandise begins being sold through the RBVE shop, creating more employment opportunities for veterans and people with disabilities and helping them develop new skills. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, our factory did not close for a single day, ensuring continued work and stability for those who needed it most.
To mark the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, the Tommy in the Window campaign saw more than 30,000 Tommy figures displayed in homes across the UK. Because these figures were made in our social enterprise, the campaign kept disadvantaged veterans in work throughout the pandemic and strengthened Tommy’s place as a national symbol of remembrance.
The Princess Royal opens 40 brand-new homes at the Centenary Village, meeting veterans, supporters, and corporate partners. During her impromptu speech, she asked the question: “How do we replicate this community all over the UK?”
Planning permission is secured for a new £15 million state‑of‑the‑art social enterprise factory, expanding manufacturing capacity and creating hundreds of life‑changing jobs and training opportunities for veterans and people with disabilities.
Who We Help
Learn about the veterans, people with disabilities, and families we support- and the challenges they face.
How We Help
Discover the services we provide, from employment and housing to tailored support.
Our Actions for Veterans
Read more about the latest RBVE news and see how we champion veterans and people with disabilities.