The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 223 On March 2, 1935, a preliminary meeting of ex-servicemen was held with sixteen present. Mr. Harold Shannon arranged the meeting. The first inquiry to the Saskatchewan Command Office as to the forming of a Snowden Branch was on January 18, 1935. The second letter was on March 7, 1935, requesting necessary application forms and materials. The Charter was issued on August 26, 1936, with the following names as Charter members and was mailed to the Secretary, Henry T. Mitchell: H. Shannon, J. McDonald, F. Yeates, H. Mitchell, E. Galbraith, S. Hughes, J. Hamilton, O. Johnson, J. Lightheart, D. McNaughton, F. Noon, W. Stewart, W. Holliday, J. Gill, and F. Herrity. (The above was taken from the Snowden Looking Back History Book Committee, Friesen Printers, Altona, Manitoba, 1979.) Harold Shannon had a lake named for him after his death in 1958. The following is taken from the Snowden Looking Back: "Harold Shannon was an ardent sportsman; he helped plan the Handson Lake Road. This road opened up the northern lakes for tourists who were enthralled with the scenery and the good fishing. One beautiful little lake was named "Shannon Lake'" in honor of Harold. There is also a cairn at this lake which tells briefly of his service to the country during the war of 1914-1918." The cairn was made of wood in 1961. Later, it was stolen or wrecked, so a cairn of cement with a brass plate now stands at the top of the lake. It now reads: “Shannon Lake - This Lake is named in honor of Harold Shannon who was born in the Kinistino District in 1894 and died in 1958. He served his country during World War I and also acted as postmaster and Justice of the Peace. During his many years in the district, he was a true sportsman and conservationist. Erected by the Canadian Legion Snowden Branch # 205 In CoOperation with the Saskatchewan Department of Natural Resources.” Snowden is located on highway 55, between Nipawin and Prince Albert. Its population in town is around 20 people, but being a farming community, the population is greater in the community. It has a Post Office (the original one burnt n 1996) and The Star Hotel (built in 1935), two halls and a curling rink. A lot in Snowden was purchased and a Legion Hut was built (due to a flood, all early records were destroyed, so the year is uncertain). All the meetings, Turkey Bingos, crib tournaments and services were held there until the membership started to drop, at which time the Smeaton Legion took turns hosting the Remembrance Day Services every other year, and still continue today. The Legion Hut started to need major repairs, and a town meeting was called in 1978, where it was decided to build one hall instead of repairing the two existing buildings. So in 1979, a new hall was built and all the Legion Hut’s items were donated with the agreement that the Legion could use it free-of-charge for meetings and services. This is still in effect today. When membership dropped to ten active members, meetings were then held in the homes of the members, with many of them held in Harold and Irene Thompson’s home, who was President for many years, unti1 his declining health in 1999. Then, the meetings were held at Mr. and Mrs. Henry Erdman’s home until his death in 2002, and now due to most of twelve members being from Choiceland, the meetings are held in Placid Place. The twelve members consist of four women and eight men; ten of whom are Associate members, and two are Life members. The Life members, who are Veterans of World War II, are Walter Brown and George Nelson. Walter Brown has been a member for forty-seven years and still has his farm in Snowden, but due to health reasons, he and his wife, Alice, live in Tisdale, but still spend time at the farm. Walter still attends meetings and helps out at Remembrance Day Services. George Nelson is other Veteran of the Branch. He still lives on his farm in Kinistino, with his second wife, Muriel, after being widowed. He was a member first in Smeaton, and has been a member in Snowden for forty years. He attends meetings and services, and helps out with fundraising. His wife, Muriel, is one of our members. Submitted by Secretary/Treasurer Eileen Trueman LADIES’ AUXILIARY TO SNOWDEN BRANCH 205 The organization meeting was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Shannon on April 25, 1950. Mrs. Daniel Smears (Marion) was elected President, and Mrs. Harold Johnson (Flora) was elected the Secretary. Other members were Mesdames: H. Shannon (Margaret), Bill Gordan (Annie), W. Seeley (Grace), R. McKenzie (Margaret), P. Robertson (Mary), O. Gertz (EIsie), A. Meyers (Emma), R. Laventure (Merna), J. MacDonald (Marj), J. Kwiatowski (Maria), E. Galbraith (Beatrice), D. Schell (Pearl), Amy Pagan, E. Acott (Daisy), H. Harrison (Georgina), Wm. Thompson (Vandla), R. Nordin (Evelyn), R. Oliphant (Margaret), H. Thompson (Irene), and S. Kuznair (Lily). (The above was taken from the "Snowden Looking Back" History Book Committee, Friesen Printers Altona, Manitoba, 1979.) The Ladies’ Auxiliary has been a large part of the Legion by helping with the meals and other fundraising tasks. The Auxiliary is still going strong with eleven members; five of those are Life members, with all having been members for over thirty-five years. The Auxiliary help with the judging of poems, posters, and essays, as well as the Turkey Bingo and the Remembrance Day meal, all of which are well attended by the community. They also sponsor a plaque to the Choiceland Air Cadets. The meetings are at Placid Place in Choiceland due to most of the members being from there. Submitted by member Eileen Trueman SNOWDEN BRANCH 205
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==