History of Cranbourne & Winkfield Royal British Legion

The land on which the club resides is part of the Ascot Place estate.

Prior to the First World War the building was erected by the Ascot Place Estate at a cost of between £1500 - £2000. It was funded by local residents and was to be used as an Institute of Physical Culture. The late Mr and Mrs Asher, who at the time were the trustees of the estate, charged a nominal rent of £1 per annum .

During the First World War the scheme collapsed and the building remained empty until 1920, when a local committee raised about £200-£300 and the building was run by the committee of householders and cottagers as a working mens club. The premises were then vested in trustees and a lease was granted by Mr & Mrs Asher. The lease was dated 29th September 1920.

The club got into difficulty and Mr Asher took over as trustee with a Mr Smith.

In 1926, the whole of Ascot Place was conveyed to Mrs Asher herself. On 2nd August 1927 the trustees of the club conveyed to Mrs Asher the land and buildings comprised in the 1920 lease.

On the 17th February 1932 Mrs Asher granted to the British Legion a lease for 99 years at £1 per annum and the lease contained a covenant that the premises should be permitted to be used (besides the objects of the British Legion) for the benefit of the inhabitants of the district by organizations having a charitable purpose.

In 1971 the legion was granted its Royal prefix and became 'The Royal British Legion'.