The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 199 The Royal Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League, Watrous Branch #174, has as its forefathers and founders, the World War I Veterans' Association. The Returned Soldiers League was organized in Watrous in July of 1916. At that time, local branches were being organized in all towns and municipalities of the province. The duty of these leagues was to welcome returning soldiers and to see that they secured what help they needed. A local league was organized as follows: President - Rev. J. Cox, Vice President - W. Wilson, Secretary/Treasurer - F.J. Willis, Committee -Mayor Garrett, Corp. Grennon, Rev. Pile, Mrs. Love and Mrs. Garrett. In 1926, the Returned Soldiers Welcome and Aid League disposed of their account and donated it to the Watrous Cemetery Association. The money was to be used to help beautify the cemetery and special care was to be given to the graves of deceased soldiers. The Great War Veterans' Association was changed to the Royal Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League. In November 1931, the following officers were elected to the Watrous Branch #174. President- - Norman Bracewell, Secretary/Treasurer - H. Fisher, 1st Vice President - -C.C. MCClell1hd, 2nd Vice President - A.M. Young, Honorary President -- Hon. R. Stipe, Executive - E.B. Miller, Q.R. Fulwiler and H~W. Harbord. Officers were installed at the charter night in January 1932, the first meetings being held in the Elks clubroom on the 11th of each month. The charter members were: F.W. Fisher, D.J. McDonald, N. Bracewell, W. Armour, G. Barclay, W. Davenport, J. Devlin, H.A. Fowler, F.P. Collins, V. Gay, E.H. Harbord, C.C. McClelland, G.F. Southey, A.M. Young, H.R. Mills. This was the birth of an organization that has rendered service and comfort to Veterans and their families and the community in general. Over the years, many community activities kept the members busy, in addition to Veterans' welfare work. Figure Skating was an early activity sponsored by the Legion, as well as ball tournaments with entries from across the country. For many years, the legion has sponsored the Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron #221. Other community projects include support for the swimming pool, tennis courts, ice arena and artificial ice, golf course, music festival and legion scholarships to Grade XII students. The Watrous Branch Ladies Auxiliary was formed on November 25, 1944. The assistance to the Branch cannot be measured in words and was sadly missed when, due to declining years, the Branch was forced to surrender their charter in 1996. Declining membership was also the reason the Branch presented the Legion Hall to the Town of Watrous for the purpose of housing the local Library. The Branch now has the use of the basement for meetings for as long as the need is there. WATROUS BRANCH 174 Box 281 Plenty, SK S0L 2R0 Secretary: Kevin Olson Phone: 306-932-2015 President: Bob McIntosh Phone: 306-463-6529 Branch Charter Date: 02 June 1961 Current Membership: 22 Auxiliary Charter Date: 08 June 1961 PLENTY BRANCH 177 Eleven Veterans from an area encompassing three communities and an area 30 square miles founded the RCL of Pierceland # 178 on June 21, 1932. The charter members were: Brig. Gen. Alex Ross CMG-DSO, D.R. Walker, Lt. A. Nolin, J.V. McEvoy, O.H. Revell, W.I. Rhinehardt, C. Cotterhill, W.R. Yelland, R.C. Meeker, S.M. Dayton, and J. Hassler. These men and their wives met and following the correct guidelines established a RCL in Northern Saskatchewan. In 1934, they were able to construct a Legion Hall. It was situated where the Hotel-Motel is today. Matt Gelowitz had an implement shop on the spot where the present-day Medical Clinic is situated and a trade was made with him. The Legion Hall moved into his shop. A well-fitted kitchen was added to the west end and this building served the community until 1974. The kitchen had a wood cook stove, a hand pump, cupboards, servPIERCELAND BRANCH 178 (Cont’d...)
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