The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 187 The Broadview Branch was chartered on December 17, 1930, with 11 charter members. They were: T.A. Quayle, D. McNeil, J.P. Ostrandes, L.C. Emrash, W.J. Brown, H.C. Polenhanna, W. Collister, J. Webb, J. Cook and Chas Mills. No minutes were available for 1930-31 but the charter members got together (past servicemen) and decided to form a Veterans organization, The Royal Canadian Legion. Funds were raised by membership, donations, card games and dances, etc. Meetings were held upstairs at the town office using the Armories when necessary for other functions such as Decoration Day in June and Memorial Services for November 11th. The November 11th Memorial Service was a strong reason for the formation of the Legion. Decoration Day was held in June and the Memorial Service every November 11th. Of course the Poppy Campaign was held prior and leading up to November 11th. The Poppy drive was assisted by scouts, cubs, guides, sports personnel and the school board. Now, basically it is handled by the school board. At one time, the Legion, along with the Auxiliary, met hospital trains going through Broadview passing out goodies and helping transients with meals and a bed when necessary. Now transients can get a bed at the local RCMP barracks overnight. We still help veterans the odd time with meals when requested. We sponsored minor hockey and baseball for the youth and hosted picnics and Christmas parties for children. We like to send young athletes to the Legion Track and Field whenever possible. We make donations to a variety of organizations over the year, such as hospitals of Regina, donor’s choice, etc., and also local donations such as the medical centre building, seniors bus, community hall, hospital and seniors lodge. We provide our hall free-of-charge to charity organizations, cubs, scouts, sports committees and kinettes, etc. In the past, we have helped the town and other organizations with celebrations such as the King and Queen’s visit, welcoming the return of Veterans, centennial and homecoming events. In times past, the Legion sponsored sports days and horse racing. These became a thing of the past as the horse racing circuit ceased to operate and did not find too much interest in spo rts days any longer. Sports days are being held again now with more interest shown in them. A new Legion hall was built in 1968 at its present location and had a special get together in 1952 to “burn the mortgage” with four Legion members and four Auxiliary members in attendance for the occasion. Present membership is: Life 5, Ordinary 10, Associate 24 and Affiliate Voting 5. LADIES’AUXILIARY TO BROADVIEW BRANCH 148 On April 2, 1931, 26 ladies met to form an Auxiliary to the British Empire Service League Branch 148, which later became The Royal Canadian Legion. There were sixteen charter members: Margaret Allingham, Colina Wylie, Martha Collins, Ella Mae Emich, Ruth Brown, Eunice Collister, Jessie Darling, Emily Sheeran, Jennie Walsh, Mary Boultbee, Margaret Morrison, Rose Pullen, Florence Holloway, Dora Ellens, Mary Wilson, Jennie Cook. The first meeting of the Auxiliary was held on April 16, 1931, in the Men’s Legion rooms, at which time Mrs. Bernice Strickland was elected President and Mrs. Charlotte Stewart as Secretary. Unfortunately, these minutes until January 3, 1942 were accidentally burned. Meetings were held monthly all year around. Many fundraising activities were undertaken such as bingos, whist, crib, teas, catering projects, bazaars, raffles, lunches, New Year’s Eve dances and hot dog stands downtown on Saturday nights. Proceeds from the fundraising projects were used for The Veterans’ Comfort Fund, parcels for the boys overseas, bundles for Britain, and donations to many local and other charitable organizations. Scholarships were given to Veterans’ children, and later a plaque was given to grade 12 students with the highest marks. Picnics and Christmas parties were held for the children, hospital visiting, meeting hospital trains and visiting other clubs were some of the services rendered. Sponsorship of the “Lazy Eye Clinic” and assistance to other community activities, such as “Hospitality Week” at the picnic park and a centennial quilt involved the members to a great extent. The Ladies always helped the men with the yearly Remembrance Day Service, providing lunch. The Auxiliary was disbanded and the charter returned to Saskatchewan Command on December 5, 1990. Seven members were present at that time. BROADVIEW BRANCH 148
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