The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 113 TVS Branch No. 78 was formed as "Branch 78 of the Tuberculous Veterans Association" in May of 1925 at the Saskatoon Sanatorium by tuberculosis veteran patients of the First World War. It was sanctioned by the Tuberculous Veterans Association Dominion Executive in Ottawa and officially known as the "San" Branch. R.D. Bobby Roberts was the organizer and twenty five patients were listed as members. In 1926 the Branch joined the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League which is now known as The Royal Canadian Legion. As the Tuberculous Veterans Association (TVA) was instrumental in founding and organizing this new veteran's group, it was able to keep its own identity as the Tuberculous Veterans Section(TVS). On December 27, 1926, a charter was issued to TVS #78 San Branch noting twenty one members and two Honorary members. As all members in the first few years were confined patients at the San, the facility became their Legion and all meetings were held there, until the Sanatorium closed. It was soon realized that as veterans recovered they moved off to other towns and cities in the province and throughout the country. The branch could only maintain but not build a significant membership, and many of those veterans wanting to be active in their own local branches, did not want to give up their TVS status or affiliation. In 1930 dual membership for the TVS and the Canadian Legion was granted. That was to say, only a tuberculous veteran could belong to an ordinary branch as well as a TVS branch. The timing could not be better as, the branch was down to 5 members. During the middle 1930's times were hard due to the "Depression." Dues were $1.00 per year, payable at $.25 every three months. The heroic efforts of Andrew Hall, Harry Pizzey and Charlie Wood ensured that the branch survived. In 1938 a Ladies’ Auxiliary was formed. During the war years to 1944, Harry Cowley and C. A. Atkinson were the mainstays, holding the branch until returning Second World War veterans took the helm. At that time, with a now very strong Ladies’ Auxiliary at their side and a growing membership, the two were able to do much more. The main source of revenue up to the middle 1950's was a civic tag day and the Ladies’ Auxiliary's yeoman service. All proceeds were used to purchase socks, pyjamas, housecoats, etc. for the patients in the San. In the later 50's as more veterans were able to leave the San and become active within the branch, they were able to provide picnics for the kids, Christmas Light tours for the patients, and oversee that every child was discharged from the San with new jeans and a t-shirt. A booth at Pionera and Grey Cup Pools, were added to supplement revenues of the branch. In 1956 the Branch became the Dr. Harold Anderson Memorial Branch TVS #78 in honor of Dr. Harold Anderson who was the head surgeon at the Saskatoon Sanatorium. Dr. Anderson was an avid member and was the branch's Tuberculous Veterans Representative for many years. In the 1960's the branch continued its activities, and in 1970 received a large increase in membership thanks to a letter to all ex veteran patients inviting them to join the branch. Dr. McPherson was another well respected doctor at the Saskatoon Sanatorium. The Branch continued to support patients at the San until its closing. The branch has never had clubrooms of its own and in 1973, moved to St. Georges Anglican Church. That fine relationship continues to this day. Many of the branch padres have been from St. Georges including Horace Brandrick, Bruce McAllister, Bob McAdam and present padre Henry Comerford. From the 1980's to the present, veteran's welfare remained paramount and community involvement a close second. In 1988 a Penny Campaign was started. From then until now over $20,000.00 has been directed to the donation of medical equipment to hospitals, nursing homes, etc. Fun bowling, fun cribbage, and children's Christmas parties are enjoyed by members, children, grand children, great grand children and guests. The branch continues its association with the Saskatchewan Lung Association, presents Spinoza Bears to children undergoing treatment for catastrophic illness, partakes jointly in Saskatoon's Poppy Campaign, Decoration Day and Remembrance Day Service, and sends delegates to all Zone and District Rallies and Provincial and Dominion Conventions. The Ladies’ Auxiliary gave up its Charter in 2003 after sixty-five years of dedicated service to the branch. Most of the ladies then joined the branch which today has a proud membership of 170 including 46 veterans. THE TUBERCULOUS VETERANS SECTION OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION SASKATCHEWAN COMMAND History A brief historical overview is offered to remind Legionnaires of the special relationship of the Tuberculous Veterans Section to The Royal Canadian Legion. The Tuberculous Veterans Association of Canada was organized in 1917, and in 1925 when Field Marshal Earl Haig came to Canada to urge the formation of the Canadian Legion, it had over 7,000 members and had been very successful in obtaining war disability pensions for chest disabled veterans. The Association was in a sound financial position with Service Bureaus in Ottawa, Toronto and London, and highly efficient service centres in most of the Canadian Sanatoriums. The TVA responded to the unity appeal made by Field Marshal Haig by taking a prominent part in the Unity Convention held in Winnipeg in November, DR. HAROLD ANDERSON MEMORIAL BRANCH 78 T.V.S. - T.V.A. (Cont’d...)
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