The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 105 The Royal Canadian Legion is a Veterans' organization recognizing men and women who served in the Canadian armed forces. The organization was formed following WWI to support the aims and interest of Veterans, to seek to maintain friendships formed while in military service and to see that disabled Veterans receive the care and help they need when returning to civilian life. The Great War of 1914-1918 saw some 600,000 Canadians take part in the greatest armed conflict the world had ever seen. Names such as Ypres, Mount Sorrel, Vimy Ridge, became more than names of places on a map - they became part of Canadian History paid with human life. Nearly 67,000 Canadians died and many tens of thousands came back disabled. Coupled with the problems of demobilization and rehabilitation, many Veterans faced real difficulties. At this time, the (G.W.V.A.) Great War Veterans' Association was formed. The general aims of the GWVA were to sponsor good will and comradeship among returned Veterans, to do all possible to help those Veterans in need and to keep alive the memory of their fallen comrades. On February 22, 1919, a Branch of G.W.V.A. was formed in Lashburn, SK, with Comrade R.J. Sanderson as President. The G. W.V.A. was active in Lashburn until March 1926. In July 1923, ''Memorial Gates" with an attached bronze tablet, were unveiled as a tribute to the memory of fourteen soldiers of the district who lost their lives in the 1914-1918 war. These gates were placed at the entrance to the Fair Grounds and later moved to the Lashburn Cemetery. In 1926, a new organization, "The Canadian Legion British Empire Service League," amalgamated with the "Great War Veterans Association" and was called the "Canadian Legion Battle River Branch No 73. R.J. Sanderson, again, had the honor of being the first Commander. The aims and objectives of the Canadian Legion were much the same as those of the G.W.V.A., with possibly greater emphasis being placed on aid to the disabled and to widows and orphans of Veterans. By March 1932, dues were decreased to $3.00 a year from $4.00. In spite of the further worsening of economic conditions, it was decided to build a permanent home for Lashburn Legion Branch. No. 73. By June 1934, a lot had been purchased on 1st St. East. Volunteers dug the basement and hauled gravel, and by August, the first meeting was held in the covered basement. By December, a social evening was held to initiate the new home of Canadian Legion Branch No. 73. The official opening was held in November 1935, with Comrade Valentine, the zone Commander. Most of the activity of the Legion during the thirties was to help comrades with various problems, pensions, soldier settlement seizures, and generally poor economic conditions that prevailed. One event that became synonymous with the Branch was the May 24th Sports Day, an annual event from 1928 to 1958. In September 1947, the unveiling of the Memorial Cairn was held. The Cairn is located at the head of the boulevard leading to the old High School. It was built with local stone and was designed by Stan Ilsley and built by John Evans. The plaque on the Cenotaph includes names of persons killed in 1914-1918, and fourteen names of those killed in the 1939-1945 war. Only twenty years after the ''War to end all wars," the war clouds were again gathering. On September 10, 1939, Canada declared war on Germany. Some 800,000 Canadians took part in three services in various theatres of war. The local Legion Branch was busy with various activities and campaigns, such as the Saskatchewan Veterans Civil Security Corps, The Evacuation Committee, to look after evacuees from Britain, Lick Hitler Stamp Campaign, Buckshee Fund for cigarettes to men overseas, and the War Services Drive. The local Branch was committed to send 200 cigarettes per month to local personnel overseas. At one time during World War II, the Legion membership dropped to twelve members. Finally, with the end of hostilities, the local Branch swelled in numbers to over 100 members. The Branch was involved in many community projects: Senior Hockey, PeeWee Hockey, Minor League Baseball, Red Cross canvass, sponsorship of local Boy Scouts, school essays, poetry, scholarships and visiting schools to give meaning to Poppy Day. In 1961, the "Canadian Legion of British Service League" became the "Royal Canadian Legion." This organization, as well as furthering the cause of Ex-servicemen and his dependants, has taken the opportunity of becoming a great influence for good in the life and future of our communities and our whole nation. LASHBURN BRANCH 73 The Maple Creek Canadian Legion was issued its charter on December 15, 1926, and designated Branch #75 by the Dominion Command from its head office in Ottawa. The term "British Empire Service League" or B.E.S.L. was imprinted on the Badge. This indicated an affiliation with most Veterans groups in Great Britain and other countries in what was then the "British Empire." Names that appear on the Charter are: Messrs. V. J. Bull, J. Allan, J.O. Beesley, W. Cook, A. Currie, L. I. Forbes, M. J. Graham, A. Hardy, Arthur Howlett, J. J. Johnston, W.J.C. Morgan, J. Stewart, A. Stone, J. J. Wilson and E. Young. The first President was L. Forbes, and Secretary/Treasurer was M. Bevans. The first meeting of the new Canadian Legion was held on January 11, 1921. MAPLE CREEK BRANCH 75 (Cont’d...)
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