Lest We Forget / 29 Branch No. 5 - Summerside - George R. Pearkes V.C. The Royal Canadian Legion Prince Edward Island Command Branch No. 4 - Mt. Stewart - Ladies Auxiliary The Mt. Stewart Ladies Auxiliary was formed in the Spring of 1957 and members had to hold their meeting on alternate nights because of lack of space. Mrs. Ira Brown (Charlottetown) was Zone Commander, initiated the Ladies and installed the officers: President, Mrs. Anna Jay; 1st Vice President, Doris Douglas; Secretary Treasurer, Bessie Doiron. Ladies Auxiliary Members in attendance at that time were: Beth Jay; Betty Douglas; Lillian Clark; Della Crane; Nora Jay; Betty Birt; Freda Douglas; Annie MacEachern; Mrs. George MacKenzie; Zelda MacIntyre; Glenna Affleck; Mrytle Leard; Winnifred MacDouglall; Helen Coffin. Past Presidents of the Mt. Stewart Ladies Auxiliary are as follows: Anna Jay; Doris Douglas; Ida Mitchell; Helen Coffin; Kay MacIntyre; Phosie Carruthers; Glenna Affleck; Anne Feehan; Paula Cobb; Velma Affleck In recognition of the past presidents, it is indeed a great honor to acknowledge these women who carried the Charter of the Ladies Auxiliary through much hard work and dedication. Today the Ladies Auxiliary is still quite active with a membership of 15 including 8 Life members. Although our membership is small, we support activities at Branch, Zone and Provincial Levels, and work faithfully towards the betterment of the Branch. The Summerside Branch of The Royal Canadian Legion received its Branch Charter on May 31, 1931. There were fifteen Charter Members with Ulric D. Dawson being the first President. For the first few years, Legion meetings were held at the Armories on Summer St. In 1941, the property at the corner of Church and Summers streets was purchased and became the Branch Home from 1941 - 1944. The second Branch Home was located in what was known as the Saunders property on Central St. where the present Post Office now stands. This served as Legion Home until 1948 when the membership out-grew its capacity. The former Summerside Curling Club on St. Stephen St. was also Branch Home for a period from 1948-1951. From 1951 to 1960 the Legion Home was located in the upstairs area of a building on Water Street across from the CN Station. During the later part of the 1950’s, it became apparent that the membership and their activities had outgrown these quarters and a building committee was formed to look into finding a suitable location to construct a new Legion building. Due to the hard work and foresight of this committee, our new Branch Home was opened in early 1960 and became known as the George R. Pearkes V.C. Branch #5. Over the years we have been fortunate to have some very enterprising people on our Executives who have brought our Branch through many highs and a few low periods to become what it is today; a place where everyone is welcome and made to feel at home. Our large hall in the upstairs area of the building has served many banquets and other entertainment and community events.
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