The Guyana Veteran’s Legion has been recognized as the mother of all veterans organisations because of its exclusive membership to veterans of the two world wars but over the years that had changed when the Guyana Veterans Foundation was formed in 1995.
The Legion (then British Guiana Legion) was registered under the Friendly Societies Ordinance as a friendly society on April 26, 1926, according to its current General Secretary, Arno Solomon. He said that the aim of the Legion is to make sure that the memories of the men and women who lost their lives in battle are forever preserved. He added that they also host fundraising activities to make the lives of the veterans easier since their sacrifices for the Commonwealth is immeasurable.
“We have a membership of ex-GDF, GPM (Guyana People’s Militia), National Service and we have the 15 World War 2 veterans. We get money by having our monthly contributions from the members as well as several fundraising activities over the year. Like we would have our annual barbeque and so on. We also get a grant from the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League that goes to the 15 veterans. They get that grant once per year and we also have another fund so if one of our members die we can be able to bury them or help with the funeral expenses,” Solomon explained. 
He said that the Legion is a member of the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League which was founded in 1921. He told the Sunday Magazine that the aim of the League is to ensure that every pre-independence Commonwealth military veteran is afforded they help they needed since their sacrifices are one that befits that treatment. During the two world wars, over 7.5 million Commonwealth Soldiers entered the battlefield. The casualties were far too many over 760,000 of them losing their lives. 
According to Solomon the League Commonwealth charity with 56 member organisations in 48 Commonwealth countries. He said that the Legion has always been plagued by its small income and expenses in taking care of their veterans.
“Our membership fee, which I won’t disclose, does not amount to much. We have to have constant fundraisers to ensure that we get the money we need to function and meet our expenses. It can be tough but we does get through it,” Solomon said.
Going back to the construction of the present Headquarters at Carifesta Avenue, Solomon said that Irish-born Captain John Coghlan was very instrumental in getting the present location. He would have served as Legion President in 1942-43 and 1948-52 and was also a World War One veteran.
Coghlan was given a mandate by his colleagues to acquire suitable premises for meetings and to be used at the Legion’s main base of administrative operations since at that time the Legion occupied rented premises at South Road, Bourda. Coghlan, a Barrister at Law, was able to interest local business firms and others in contributing towards the headquarters project and with the Government’s assistance the Legion’s Headquarters was completed in 1948. The building was named Coghlan House following a motion at the half-yearly General Meeting in August of 2009. Coghlan was also instrumental in getting the Demerara Harbour Bridge since he was the first person to move a motion calling for the bridge after he retired from the Public Service. The most important activity on the Legion’s calendar is Remembrance Day. The day’s activities include a ceremony at the War Memorial in Georgetown. They would also have a march past followed by a recognition ceremony at the Legion’s Hall. The Legion is also urging everyone to wear a poppy today to honour those who have given their lives for a free world.
