Lest We Forget / 63 At a general meeting called for all ex-service soldiers and sailors in June 1926, The Provincial Command of The Great War Veterans’ Association of Prince Edward Island adopted a series of resolutions in favor of the objects and aims of The British Empire Service League. The Morell Branch of The Canadian Legion received its charter on December 13, 1946 with the late William Geldert as president and Carl MacAdam as secretary. The other members named on the charter were; Reginald MacAdam, Francis MacAdam, Gerry MacAdam, Fred Blaxland, Hubert Coffin, Eldon Drake, J.J. MacDonald, Barney MacDonald, Cecil Eldershaw, John B. McGrath, Edgar Hawbolt, John MacInnis, William Kelly, and J. Allie Murphy. These men were dedicated workers and the success of the branch in the early years of formation was due to their efforts. The veterans helped each other and helped disabled veterans obtain pensions and medical aid. They worked for the good of the community and in 1947 they built a large outdoor rink at a cost of $ 3,300.00. In 1953 the veterans bought a house and fitted it for a meeting place with club rooms and a dance hall. They also provided a classroom for two years to the grade eleven pupils who were the first for Morell High School now Morell Regional High. After 1962 the veterans donated scholarships and prizes for the students who attended high school in Morell. In 1959, The Legion erected a large monument to the memory of those who made the supreme sacrifice in the various wars. In 1961 The Legion at St. Peter’s discontinued and amalgamated with the Morell Branch. This amalgamation remains in place today. Over the years The Legion has sponsored Red Cross Swimming Classes, blood donor clinics, Christmas parties for young and old, baseball teams, hockey teams as well contributing to many worth while community causes. In 1962 The Legion applied for a new Charter when it became possible to be known as The Royal Canadian Legion. In 1967, The Legion purchased the old Morell Elementary School building; remodeled it and moved into it in 1968. The Legion provided, rent free, the second floor of the old LEgion building as a day care center and the bottom floor as a library from 1968-1978 the building was sold and demolished to make way for the present Morell Credit Union. The new Legion home provided a meeting place for senior citizens. The seniors also held parties and the occasional dance. Space was also provided for boy scouts, dancing lessons, armed forces recruitment center and manpower classes. The Ladies’ Auxiliary of The Morell Branch was organized in 1959 and received its charter May 02, 1962. This Auxiliary proved to be an immense help to the veterans as well as the community at large. Mrs Amy Geldert was the first president, Mrs Helen MacAdam the first secretary and Mrs. James Jay the first treasurer. The Auxiliary raised money by holding bingo as well as catering to banquets, weddings and dinners. The members entertained the Ladies’Auxiliaries from other branches on P.E.I.. They also donated money to the branch as well as other worth while organizations such as hospitals and the challenged children’s association. They purchased dishes and equipment for The Legion kitchen as well as furniture for the building. The following members have served as Legion President since the charter in 1946. 1946 William Geldert 1947-48 Freeman Webster 1949-50 Gerry MacAdam 1951-52 Byron Webster 1953-56 Reginald MacAdam 1957-1959 James Blaxland 1960, 1965 1973,1991 Melvin MacLaren 1961,1967 Edgar MacKinnon 1962 Patrick Cent. 1963 Walter Coffin 1964 John MacInnis 1966 Frank MacMillan 1966 Arthur MacDonald 1967, 1968, 1971 Jack Sutherland 1969 Ted Anderson 1970, 1972 Clement Cent. 1971 Edward Hawbolt 1974 Fred Blaxland 1975 Leo MacDonald 1976 Alfred Heard 1977, 1978 Ronald MacDonald 1979 Jack Coffin 1979, 1980 William O’Hanley 1981-1990 Carl MacAdam 1991-1997 Frank MacLaren 1997-2001 Arthur Eldershaw 2001 Mrs. Catherine McDonald The Royal Canadian Legion Prince Edward Island Command Branch No. 26 - Morell
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