Former RSL president to hold Legacy flame

A FORMER RSL president says it will be a “huge honour” to complete a small portion of Legacy’s Centenary Relay, that spans three continents, honouring families affected by war.

Torquay resident of 10 years and former Torquay RSL president Bob Tyler is joining 1,499 other torch bearers as part of The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay later this year, marking 100 years of financial, emotional, social, and developmental support from Legacy.

“It was a really great feeling to be accepted to such an occasion,” Mr Tyler said.

“It’s going to be a huge honour for me personally, once the torch that I carry is lit, the flame that I carry will represent a life, a life that Legacy is helping.

“It will also remind me of the all the people that I’ve helped during my life and the lives that I’ll help in the future.”

The relay will arrive in Geelong in September this year, where Mr Tyler will conduct his 500-metre portion of the relay.

Legacy, Australia’s national body for veterans’ family support since 1923, has personally supported Mr Tyler’s family.

After Mr Tyler’s father, Thomas Knaggs, passed away at age 62, Legacy provided support to Mr Tyler’s widowed mother in South Australia.

Mr Knaggs served in the sixth division in the Middle East, Cypress, and Papua New Guinea.

The Legacy group was very supportive of Mr Tyler’s family, with his mother soon becoming the secretary of the state’s group.

The Torch Relay began earlier this year in Pozieres, France, and has travelled across Europe, even stopping for a brief visit to Buckingham Palace to get the Royal tick of approval from His Majesty King Charles. In total, the torch will travel over 50,000km.

The Legacy flame reached Australian shores on May 25.

The relay will stop at all 45 Legacy Clubs worldwide and will arrive in Geelong in September this year, where Mr Tyler says he will conduct his 500-metre portion of the relay.

Mr Tyler joined the armed services in 1964 and retired as a Major in 2002 after 38 years in the military serving in Vietnam, Indonesia, New Zealand and then in Australia.

“In August I’ll receive my uniform and two weeks before the relay in Geelong I found out what my route is,” Mr Tyler said.

“I don’t think of any of this as a service, in my mind it’s a privilege, I’m not an RSL president anymore, but I’m still flat out, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Legacy hopes to raise $10 million in its centenary year.

To donate, head to www.legacytorchrelay.com.au/make-a-donation/