The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 123 when hosting curling, golf and darts. We are exceptionally proud of our beautiful Cenotaph in the center of town in honor of our Veterans. Many compliments are received by visitors. Whitewood Branch 87 members invite one and all to come visit our park and play a round of golf. The Legion welcomes you. LADIES’ AUXILIARY TO WHITEWOOD BRANCH 87 At meetings held on the tenth and twenty-sixth of June 1922, a Ladies’ Auxiliary to the Whitewood Branch of the G.W.V.A. was organized. The ladies were of great assistance to the local Veterans. In 1925, the Whitewood G.W.V.A. received their charter and the Auxiliary became the Canadian Legion B.E.S.L. Ladies’Auxiliary. The Auxiliary applied for a charter subject to approval of the local Branch. In 1932, a meeting was called and held in the Parish Hall. The object was to organize the ladies as a chartered Auxiliary. In March 1933, the Whitewood Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary received their charter and the initiation of sixteen members and installation of officers was conducted by the local men's Branch. The first club house was above Whitewood Plumbing and Heating on Lalonde Street, and moved to the Legion hall in 1950. Membership increased in 1939 when WW II was declared. In the early 1970s, and 1980s, membership reached its highest point. In 2003, the Ladies Auxiliary celebrated its 70th Anniversary. Through the years, the ladies tirelessly worked to raise funds to assist the Veterans, poppy fund, upkeep of the memorial grounds and send parcels to the troops overseas. The Auxiliary raised funds to help build and equip the Legion hall in 1950, and again in 1969, when the hall burnt to the ground and had to be rebuilt. Financial assistance has been given to the Veteran’s Comfort Fund, Veteran and local hospitals, library, school, student bursaries, Legion track and field, local sport facilities, nursing home, and individual medical travel. No worthwhile community project was denied. In June 2006, the Ladies Auxiliary disbanded due to declining membership. The members have fond memories of social gatherings and comradeship over the past years. They would like to thank the community for the support given to them over the 73 years they worked together for the betterment of the programs and individuals they helped. WHITEWOOD BRANCH 87 (...Cont’d) The Great World War Veterans Association was formed in 1919 for the purpose of maintaining comradeship and promoting the welfare of returned Veterans. The long, narrow building on Pacific Avenue became the War Vet's Hall. It had previously served as a judicial point until the new Court House was built. In 1920 it was donated to the Vets. On March 8, 1926, the GWVA became the Kerrobert Branch #88 of the Canadian Legion, British Empire Service League. Old minute books show there must have been a fire in the hall, sometime after the October meeting in 1926, as the meetings were held in the Town Hall until January 27. Minutes state the committee had the power to dispose of articles damaged by fire. Comrade Chas. Boulter was committee chairman. They built a kitchen on the back and renovated the clubrooms. On February 15, 1927, they held a Valentine’s Dance, with proceeds of $800. Some of this money went to the rink fund. The members bought a new piano, a Heintzman, which is still in existence, paying the remaining $315 in full in February 1927. This was to replace the old one that had been donated. Years ago, the Legion sponsored an annual turkey shoot. In 1945, the Legion built the Memorial playground in the same area where a paddling pool was built. A student was lifeguard in the afternoons and the Ladies’ Auxiliary took their turns helping; also paid the girl a small fee. When the Kinsmen decided to put a paddling pool near their swimming pool, it was with mixed feelings that the Legion pool was closed. Although the Legion’s pool was surrounded by a high fence, every week, work parties had to remove broken glass, etc. In 1961, the name of the Legion was changed to "Royal Canadian Legion" and the "British Empire Service League" was dropped. This title was conferred by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of the Legion's 35 years of service to returned Veterans. February 15, 1965 was the day the new Canadian flag was raised in Ottawa. Many Veterans all across Canada were disappointed, it was not the Union Jack that they had fought under! Earlier than this, talk had been about building a new hall. The old one was very out of date, needing constant repairs. Comrades Slim Murdoch, with the help of Don Snell and Vince Weber, talked the Legion into buying a bingo machine, and they held bingos every week for 12 or 13 regulars. The bingos were still held weekly, even after the new hall was built, with proceeds to the new Hall. Comrade George Vallance was President in 1966 when plans for the building were finalized. The hall was built with mostly volunteer labor. In January 1972, the mortgage was burnt and its ashes are in a cabinet in the Legion Hall. The Legionaires started to dicker with the town to trade their lot on the playground in the park next to the rink, for the lot KERROBERT BRANCH 88 (Cont’d...)
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