ROYAL British Legion members toasted the success of a beer created especially for the Poppy Appeal when they gathered last week to receive a cheque for the proceeds.

Long Crendon brewery XT brewed ‘Lest We Forget’ to generate cash for this year’s appeal, donating £1500 to members at Marlow RBL, which was matched by the Marlow club from sales of the ale.

Joining brewery staff for the presentation was Diane Beaty, whose war hero husband Archie died suddenly follwing last year’s Remembrance parade after playing drums for the Scot Guards Association Pipes and Drums band.

The family of the late Falklands veteran were there to donate £500 to the appeal, after deciding to give back the amount initially offered to them by the Marlow club committee as a mark of respect following Mr Beaty’s death.

Lee Wiltshire, club chairman, said: "It is a measure of Mrs Beaty's generous nature that in her darkest hour she is not thinking of herself but of others, and it was this cheque that was presented on Friday.

He added that the The Royal British Legion Club plans to hold an annual charity event in memory of Archie, with the first date pencilled in for Friday, June 27, 2014 - with more details to be confirmed.

He said: "We're hoping that as Archie paraded in Marlow for nearly 22 years in return the people of Marlow will support this event in his memory.

"I have also spoken to Pipe Major Steve Duffy who has confirmed that the Scots Guards Pipes and Drums will continue to play in the Marlow Armistice parade.

"Friday's presentation was very well received, it was lovely to see Diane accompanied by her family and Steve Duffy. All of them will be returning to the Club in the coming weeks for a dedication plaque which is to be displayed in the Club for Archie."

Brewery owner Russell Taylor joined Mayor Suzanne Brown and British Legion members for the presentation at the club on Station Approach last Friday.

The brewery donated £10 from every barrel sold, and the armistice beer was in such demand when it was sold in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday that another two batches had to be brewed.

"Lest We Forget" was served to drinkers at pubs, Legion clubs and beer festivals throughout southern England in the run-up to Remembrance Day on November 11.