Lest We Forget / 27 The Royal Canadian Legion Prince Edward Island Command Branch No. 4 - Mt. Stewart - The John Hamilton Douglas Legion The Branch over the years supported Blood Donor Clinics, Boy Scouts, Cubs, Girl Guides, Brownies, sponsored a child in Africa, helped sponsor defensive driving, and assisted Provincial Command in visiting all homes to find out if a veteran needed assistance, as many were not legion members and did not know of the legion programs that were available to help them out. The number one project that required a lot of time was our Remembrance Day programed with the distribution of poppies and wreaths to the local public. Veterans visited the schools and talked to the youth about war and as well, peace. We have also helped host centennial projects, and several sports dinners for fund raising. The Branch sponsored the Mt. Stewart Seagulls Hockey Team and baseball team, as well as providing the ball team with jackets. Hamilton Douglas was awarded the Legion Meritorious Service Medal in 1968, and this was the highest Legion Award available at that time. In 1982 we lost one of our most dedicated members, a stanch legionnaire. A member who held every office at Branch level, Zone Commander and Zone Sports Chairman for 25 years, he went on to hold every office on Provincial Command and represented the RCL of this Province on Dominion Council, and working on several committees at Dominion level. Sports was one of his main interests, and working with youth. When the Dominion Track and Field first began, it was much smaller than today. The earlier meets were held at St. Michael’s College, Toronto in July and August. PEI were allowed 2 athletes and 1 legion Rep, so for 10 days every year for eleven years, he gave up a vacation to attend this clinic. Alfred Groom from Summerside and Bob Simpson, a retired Principal of Montague High School were two of the youths that attended with him. Late in 1982, Prov. President E. Carver made the suggestion to the Branch members that in recognition of these many achievements the Branch should be named in his honor. All members were in agreement to this recognition and was passed unanimously at a general meeting and approved by both Provincial and Dominion Commands. In May of 1983 a banquet was held with many dignitaries in attendance, and our Branch became officially known as the John Hamilton Douglas Br. #4 R.C.L. Mt. Stewart. We are now looking to the youth to carry on the things that we as veterans have worked so hard to establish; unity, help for disabled veterans and families and above all to set a good image in the eyes of the public, never forgetting those who so gallantly gave their lives so that we can enjoy the freedom we have now. Past Presidents of the Mt. Stewart Legion are as follows: Joseph Fisher, John B. MacIntyre, Fred Clark, Collie MacDonald, Oliver S. Smith, Douglas Coffin, W.J. (Bill) Lacey, Roy Leard, R.H. Innis, C.D. Coffin Jr., George McCannell, Francis MacDonald, Angus F. Hughes, J. Hamilton Douglas, Doris Douglas, Raymond Birt, James Feehan, Tom Atkins, Ron McInnis, and to date Melvin Jay. The John Hamilton Douglas Legion presently has a membership of 55 members.
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