The history of RBLI

In 1917, Landscape architect Thomas Mawson wrote “An Imperial Obligation.” Inspired by the death of his son in WW1, the book outlines the demand for a village for war veterans. And so began the growth of the RBLI Village in the heart of Kent. A place for veterans to heal, to work and to live amongst like-minded friends and comrades.

1919

Thomas Mawson leads the establishment of Industrial Settlements at Aylesford's Preston Hall to provide support to troops returning from the Great War with tuberculosis.

1921

Industrial Settlement’s first village bungalows arebuilt with large balconies and gardens so veteranscan ‘grow their own’.

1926

HRH Edward Prince of Wales visited the Aylesford settlement, taking a great interest in the activities before becoming patron.

1944

The total number of patients, settlers anddependants at the Preston Hall site rises to 1,641.

1964

RBLI’s social enterprise launches its reflective signs

1971

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II bestowed the Royalprefix and new housing and the present factory wasbuilt over the following three years.

1975

In December Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visits RBLI and tours the goods and signs departments.

1985

RBLI greatly expands the woodwork and signsdepartments following periods of exponentialgrowth in sales.

1993

RBLI’s high dependency nursing home Gavin Astor House opens.

2002

RBLI purchases a Leatherhead social enterprise run by the Queen Elizabeth Foundation, expanding operations into Surrey.

2005

Queen Elizabeth Court, RBLI’s assisted livingaccommodation for veterans and their dependantsopens its doors.

2011

RBLI’s transformative employment support programme for veterans, LifeWorks, is launched.

2016

The RBLI factory is rebranded and launched asBritain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company at theHouse of Commons.

2017

The first phase of RBLI’s Centenary Village is officially opened by the former Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon KCB.

2019

RBLI Celebrates 100 years and Appleton Lodge is officially opened and a time capsule is buried at the Centenary Village development by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

2019

RBLI enters its centenary year and launches Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company in Renfrewshire.

2020

Tommy Club is officially launched