The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 129 Fifteen WWI Veterans met to form a Marshall Branch of the Canadian Legion in late 1926. The charter was issued in January 1927. Charter members were: J .H. Atkinson, C.W. Collicut, C.H. Cooper, J.R. Faulkner, N.J. Goss, A.D.T. Mann, E. Manton, P.R. Miller, M.G. Sharrot, F. Street, F. Sturgeon, A.J. Thompson, W.S. Topott, H. Tyler, H.R. Wilford. On November 21, 1945, The Marshall Ladies' Auxiliary had their first organizational meeting. The charter was issued on December 31, 1945. Charter members were: Mrs. R. Miller, Mrs. F. Street, Mrs. E. Lindeblom, Mrs. J. Steenson, Mrs. J. Thompson, Mrs. F.N. Lonsdale, Mrs. W. Hobbs. Mrs. O. Oddan, Mrs. E. Pickering, Mrs. A. Christensen. Picnics, football games and other sports were means of raising funds to obtain the first small Legion Hall with its cottage roof. It was called the “Hut, the better ole." With increased membership following WWII, the need for a bigger hall became increasingly evident. For that purpose, the Marshall Legion began raising money. Funds were raised by holding dances, sports days, raffles, curling bonspiels, and selling lunches. During this time, the Bank of Commerce closed and was moved away. The bank property was donated to our Branch. Harold Pedersen, a carpenter by trade and one of our members, was the overseer of all the volunteer help. With this help, the new hut was constructed in late 1956 through the hard winter and finishing in 1957. The original size was 24'x 42', but with the increased use, the members decided in 1985 to build on by adding 20 feet, making it 44' x 42’. Branch fundraising activities include a ham and turkey shoot each year and two horseshoe tournaments a year. Branch activities consist of bowling, golf, cribbage, and darts. Socials were also put on once a month to raise money. November 11th celebrations consist of a memorial service being held on November 10th at the Marshall School. Parents are invited and children are encouraged to take part, in the service, displaying their posters, essays and poems. As well, every year since WWII, a November 11th memorial service is held in the big community hall, with the Legion and Auxiliary members in uniforms, carrying their flags and banners, marching from the Legion Hall down the street to the Community Hall. The RCMP and a piper lead them. Following "The Last Post," and as the Honor Roll is being read, a slide show photo of each deceased Legion member is shown on a screen. The wreaths are laid at the foot of a small Cenotaph, to be later carried to the large Cenotaph in the center of town. At this time, the Branch is still blessed to have two WWII Veterans in attendance, one being Lorne Phipps, a 61-year member. The service is always well attended, with the huge crowd being invited to stay for lunch prepared by the Ladies' Auxiliary. Huge trays of sandwiches, cakes, tea and coffee are enjoyed by all, along with a good visit. After lunch, members, family and friends go to the Legion Hall for socializing. Special guests from C.F.B. Wainwright also come to celebrate the day. MARSHALL BRANCH 92 On June 25, 1927, a few members of the Great War Veterans Association held a special organizational meeting in the Flaxcombe Community Hall to form the Royal Canadian Legion (British Empire Service League) Flaxcombe Branch No. 98. The presentation of the charter, which had been issued April 16, 1928, was held at a ceremony dedicating the newly constructed Memorial Cenotaph, in the village on Sunday, October 27, 1929 by P.T. Philpot, President of Saskatchewan British Empire Service League. The dedication service was presided over by Rev. Father MacKessy, of Kindersley. The following were the charter members: William C. Ard, John Bolderhey, Wilfred Carter, Harold Conolly, Charles Davidson, John B. Durrant, Fred J. Fraser, Arthur Green, John Hocknell, Charles Johnston, James H. Cummings, Earl Tree, S. Melville Webb, Robert Derraugh, E.L. Klinzing, W. Booth, Chris Callsen, A. Herman, Alex MacKay, L.C.D. Pickett, A.J. Stevenson. Some of the highlights of the early years were the building of the impressive Cenotaph in the spring of 1928. It was flanked by two captured German military pieces. The Flaxcombe Branch hosted a visit by the Governor-General of Canada, Lord Tweedsmuir (John Buchan) in 1936. The official inspection of World War I Veterans took place in the village of Alsask. When World War II broke out, these "Old Sweats" joined with other area Veterans and formed the Veterans Civil Security Corps. Several Branch members joined up for full-time service. All through the war, the Branch was active in sending cigarettes, parcels, correspondence courses and reading material to all service persons. In 1944, the former Cookhouse of Marengo was purchased and moved to Flaxcombe and renovated. Branch No. 98 had its first permanent home. When World War II Veterans were demobilized and then joined the Legion, it was felt that their numbers were large enough to form FLAXCOMBE BRANCH 98 (Cont’d...)
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