The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 101 Branch 70 of The Royal Canadian Legion received its Charter on November 2, 1926. Charter members were: A.M. Panton, M.E. Cook, G.B. Linney. H. Herbert, A.E. Blower, T.W. Cogland, W.A. Campbell, Rev. I.J, Jones, H. Denham, W.E. Jackson, H.F.L. Pink, P. Hewitt, C.E. McCurdy, J.C. Allan, J. Hinchcliffe. The Charter was signed by B.M. Campbell and Percy Lake, Dominion Executive Council Secretary and President, respectively. The Ladies’ Auxiliary to Branch #70 received their Charter on November 2, 1927. Charter members were: F.M. Hicks, E.M. Cook, R.H. Rowland, E. Collins, E. Breen, E. Bunce, L. Whiting, D.M. Stannard, C. McEachern, M. Blower, F. Hoskins, M.C. Whitley, A. Gould, A.E. Dyer, and W. Parkhouse. The Charter was signed by B.M. Campbell and Percy Lake, Secretary and President of Dominion Executive Council, respectively. The original Legion Hall was located on the 1300 block of Queen Street, now known as 100th Street. It is believed that this location used to be the Immigration Hall. The building was financed through an appeal to the public, and from Legion funds. The approximate value of this hall, including furniture and fixtures was $25,000.00. The building was officially opened in 1930 by General Alexander Ross. The building was made available to the Red Cross Blood Donor Clinic, St. John Ambulance, and the Anti-T.B. Survey free-of-charge. Over a period of years, consideration was given to purchasing or building a new building. As far back as 1959, there were plans drawn up by architects for a 50' x 80' building. The Hall remained in use until 1963, when, through fundraising, bank loans, and donations from the public and businesses in North Battleford, the Legion built a new building at the same location. This building was added onto again in 1989 to its present status. The building as it is now is valued at approximately $825,000.00. After much fundraising, the mortgage burning was officially held on October 17, -1973. None of this, of course, would have been possible without the help of our Ladies’Auxiliary. As in many Branches, the Ladies’ Auxiliary contributed greatly to the well being of our Branch, for example, from 1964 to 1992, they turned over in excess of $18,000.00 to the Branch; some years, as much as $25,000.00. Some points of interest: The Cross of Sacrifice was erected and unveiled in a ceremony on May 22, 1973. Branch 70 has sponsored the 43rd Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets since 1950. They have had four members elected to the Provincial President’s Office. As far back as the early 1960's, they have given out interest-free Student Loans. In the early 1980's, Branch membership peaked at over 1,100 members. Over the years, the Branch has made donations to the community averaging $25,000.00 - $30,000.00 per year. Fundraising over the years have been bingo sessions in the Lower Hall, with the help of the Ladies’ Auxiliary, who held bingo on Monday evening and Wednesday afternoon, and the Branch bingo, held on Friday evenings. As with many organizations, commercial bingo operations have made Branch bingo a thing of the past. The Branch now operates a monthly bingo at a commercial outlet. Since the early 1990's, the Branch has been having meat draws on Saturday afternoon, which has made a good profit, as well as barbecued burgers every Friday night. The Branch has offered homemade Fish and Chips several times per year, as well as steak barbecues, all of which are very well attended. NORTH BATTLEFORD BRANCH 70 Located in the Town of Springside, which is located in the Parkland area of Saskatchewan, this Branch had its conception in May 1926, first chartered as a Branch of the British Empire Service League. In 1943, it received its Royal Canadian Legion charter and has remained a very active group. The Ladies Auxiliary chartered in March 1956, and was very active until January 2001, with bazaars, suppers and lunches. The Branch was very active in assisting war Veterans and their families with social activities and money, as needed, in the early years. Later, the Branch funded the Boys Scouts, community projects, such as new playgrounds and other beautification projects in the town. Funds were raised through dances, ball tournaments, suppers and bingos. To this day, funds are still raised through bingos, suppers and pool tournaments. In the beginning, meetings were held in offices of the stores and lumberyards, later when the town built a community hall, they were given a clubroom in this facility which they utilized until June 1993, when they purchased the Post Office with money given by the Ladies Auxiliary. This is now a well used facility for coffee, pancake suppers, meetings of local groups, such as the 4-H, Lions, and so on. The group still supports bursaries and community improvement projects. The highlight of each year, of course, is November 11th. A parade to the cenotaph, followed by a service in the Community Hall, and a dinner, are very well attended. Today the Branch has 29 members and remains very active in the community. SPRINGSIDE BRANCH 71
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