Lest We Forget / 19 The Auxiliary assists the Branch in all its endeavours, especially the Poppy campaign every year. They have the full responsibility of selling the wreaths. It also assists in visiting and giving treats to veterans in hospitals and other institutions. During these years thousands of dollars have been donated to the Branch. This was through the work of all Auxiliary Members who worked hard at banquets wedding receptions, bingo and special dues. Monies were also donated to worthy causes in the community. Through the years many additional Auxiliaries were formed throughout the Island, and in 1954 a Provincial command was formed. Many of the first members of our Auxiliary went out and helped set up these Auxiliaries. The membership of which has grown steadily through the years and is very encouraging. Irene King, President Ladies Auxiliary Branch No. 1 - Charlottetown The O’Leary Branch of The Royal Canadian Legion was active as early as 1920. At first, O’Leary had a Returned Soldiers Club, then a Great War Veteran’s Association. In 1926 the British Empire Service League was formed, inviting existing veterans organizations to join. This group was to become the Canadian Legion. O’Leary and Charlottetown were the first groups to join. Although O’Leary actually had its charter first and was expecting to be designated Branch # 1, the honour fell to Charlottetown because the Provincial Command Headquarters was located in the capital city. O’Leary received the designation of Branch # 2, which it carries to this day. The Charter displayed in the Members Lounge dates January 11, 1928. Bradford MacKay, a veteran of the 1st World War and a member of the Veterans Guard, took on the task of keeping the Branch alive during W.W.II. With so many young men from the O’Leary area enlisting, membership dwindled and there was a possibility that the Branch would lose its’ Charter. Mr. MacKay solved the problem while guarding POW’s, he signed up members from all over Canada. When the time came to find a suitable building for the Legion Home, a barracks was purchased for $500.00 from the Mount Pleasant Airport, which was a training centre during the war. The Ladies Auxiliary was formed in 1955. The Ladies helped with fundraising, banquets and other projects that would benefit the Branch and remain an active and vital part of the Branch. In 1978 a 2-storey extension was built onto the original building, but in 1990 a fire destroyed much of the Legion Home. Today, much of the original building has been renovated and a 50-ft extension was added after the fire. One of the projects proudly sponsored by the O’Leary Legion was the construction in 1987 of a 16-unit seniors’ housing facility known as the Jubilee Home. This project was planned and headed by the O’Leary Legion Development Corporation. Branch No. 2 - O’Leary The Royal Canadian Legion Prince Edward Island Command Branch No. 1 - Charlottetown Ladies Auxiliary - History
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