Lest We Forget / 45 The Royal Canadian Legion Prince Edward Island Command Branch No. 9 - Kensington - Lt. Col. E.W. Johnstone The First World War created a new and unforeseen circumstance in Canadian society: the need to provide both for a large number of wounded personnel released from military service and for the dependents of those personnel killed while serving. In the Canadian Expeditionary Force there were approximately 60,000 killed and 138,000 wounded in World War One. Many thousands more lead a very difficult and distressful life as a result of their war experiences. The governments of the day were unprepared to meet these needs and many veterans groups were organized to advocate on behalf of war wounded and dependents. It was soon evident that these many groups should unite and speak with one voice to address the needs of veterans and dependents. In the United Kingdom the British Legion and the British Empire Services League (BESL) was formed in 1921, amalgamating several groups. In 1925, 12 Canadian veterans groups united to form the Canadian Legion of the BESL. The Legion continued to grow in Canada and, although experiencing difficulties in the Great Depression, finally came to Kensington in 1932. In that year 20 charter members joined together and made application to Dominion Command to be approved as Kensington (Prince Edward Island # 9) Branch. The charter was granted on 26 January 1933 and signed by Dominion President J.S. Roper. The original charter members were Harry E. Bernard, William L. Delaney, John W. Dobson, Frank Dunning, Frederick H. Henderson, Ernest W. Johnstone, Preston J. Kennedy, Robertson Mann, William T. Mill, D. Heath Montgomery, Peter MacDonald, Ira D. McKay, William McKay, Alfred G. McGougan, Ellis Profitt, Rev George T. Spriggs, Benjamin Thibeau, Byron H. Thompson and Ralph N. Thompson. The Legion held its meetings in the Kensington town Hall from 1932 until 1955 when a new Legion Home was opened. A project was undertaken in 1954 to move a war surplus “H-hut” barracks from Tignish to Kensington. This was accomplished by cutting the H-hut into four pieces, moving the pieces to Kensington and reconstructing them on the present site. The debt for the move and other costs associated with the “new” Legion home was cleared in 1960. Many renovations have been completed over the years. The present exterior of the Legion took shape in a renovation in 1965. A Ladies Auxiliary room and a Veterans Room have been added and bar, kitchen and banquet facilities have been upgraded. Under the leadership of then President William Ready, a project was begun in 1988 to honour the memory of Ernest W. Johnstone. Lt. Col. Johnstone was a key leader in the formation of the Legion in 1932, a charter and life member of the Branch and a dedicated supporter of community development. In a ceremony on 27 January 1989 the Branch was officially renamed the Lt. Col. E.W. Johnstone Branch # 9, Royal Canadian Legion. The Kensington Legion has been successful over the years due to its volunteers. Legion and Ladies Auxiliary members have given thousands of hours of service to fellow members and to the community. Members with 25, 30 and 40 years of service continue to work for the betterment of the Legion. Both the present Executive of the Branch and the present members of the Ladies Auxiliary are endeavoring to continue this tradition and are shown below: The Kensington Legion has had two of its former presidents elected to office as PEI Command President: Comrades John Henderson and Fred Beairsto. The Ladies Auxiliary has had three members elected as Provincial President: Ruth Carr, Gloria Cole and Ruby MacInnis. Also, Ruth Carr is presently serving as Honourary President of the Ladies Auxiliary of PEI. Branch #9 has contributed significantly to community development. Contributions of volunteer time, funds and facilities have helped make several activities possible. The annual Bedford / Kensington Peek Wee Hockey Exchange, the CO-OP housing developments, the Foot Care Clinic, Meals on Wheels, Blood Donor Clinics, the School Music Program, the Scouting / Guiding movement, the Prince County Hospital and 1231 Army Cadet Squadron have all benefitted.
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