The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 141 The history of S h e l l b r o o k Legion Branch 111 begins in 1919, when a Branch of the Great War V e t e r a n s A s s o c i a t i o n was started with Comrade Henry Hunt as P r e s i d e n t ; Comrade Gerald Bryden, Secretary; Comrade Ed Poppy, Vice President; and Comrade Dave Riggal, Sgt. At Arms. Other members were F. Brazenal, Cliff Warren, Jim Potts, R. DeSatge, G. Horricks, Tom Gilmore, Harry Ade, Jock Hyndman, and George Hutton. Meetings were held in the Town Hall. In 1923 it was decided to erect a Memorial for the ones who did not return from war. Property for the Memorial site was obtained, consisting of two lots, one from the Village and one from the C.N.R. There was a low spot in the lot, a six-foot base was poured, and then dirt filled in around it to level the site. This took place in October 1923. It was difficult to keep the organization going, and in 1928, the Branch lapsed for a while. Through the efforts of Comrade Reg. Moore, it was revived and meetings were held in the country at the homes of various members. In 1931, Shellbrook joined the B.E.S.L. Meetings were held in the Town Hall. After the Second World War, membership increased, and when the Town Hall was moved to a new site and turned into a Hospital, the Legion was offered a meeting place in the Anglican Church Hall, rent-free. With a larger membership it was decided to build our own Hall on property donated by the Town. In 1945, the basement was started, and in 1947, the Hall was first used. On January 31,1951, the Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary was formed. Charter Members were: Helen Amandrud, Margaret Beilhartz, Freda Coles, Martha Coles, Sarah Fisher, Leah Hewitt, Elsie Jacobs, Inez Jacobs, Bertha Kerr, Esther Lundy, Ethel Land, Sarah Mair, Florence Mazarach, Anne McAteer, Agnes Pepper, Ellen Poppy, May Read, and Mary Wilkenson. The Branch had a bronze plaque added to the Memorial on September 23, 2000, dedicated in recognition of the Korean Veterans. Later, a plaque dedicated to the Peace Keeper Veterans was also added to the Memorial. A new section of the Shellbrook Cemetery has been designated for Veterans and Spouses. This is marked with a plaque, which reads: “Shellbrook & District Veterans, Lest We Forget, RCL # 111.” In 2002, arrangements were made to have a plaque included on the Tourist Information Highway Sign: “VETERANS MEMORIAL SITE.” Life Memberships were presented in 2002 to Comrade C.R. Land by Comrade H. Beilhartz and to Comrade F.C. Agnew by Comrade W. Steel. In 2003, a sign was installed in the Legion Park near the Cenotaph, denoting Veterans Memorial Park. The Shellbrook Legion Branch conducts November 11th services in the Shellbrook Community Theatre with assistance from the local clergy, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Knights of Columbus. Days prior to the November 11th service, the Legion and Auxiliary provide Remembrance Service at the Elementary, the Composite School, the Wild Rose Community School and the Home Schoolers. The Year of The Veteran, 2005, Comrade Wm. Steel was presented a commendation by the Minister of Veterans Affairs in Ottawa. In 2006, Comrade F.C. Agnew was presented his 60-year pin by Acting District Zone Commander Comrade Ed. Buehler. Over the years, the Shellbrook Legion Branch has sponsored the Shellbrook Legion Band under the direction of Dr. Jack Spencer, an Associate Member. The Branch has also sponsored sports teams in Hockey, Ball and Track. The Shellbrook Legion now has an area in the Shellbrook Heritage Museum for artifacts and information recognizing the area Veterans. President Comrade Bill Steel was the one whose efforts made this possible. Current Legion membership is 26 members. Legion Ladies’Auxiliary membership is 24. SHELLBROOK BRANCH 111
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