The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 235 The Kelliher Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion had its beginning after the First World War when Veterans organized the Kelliher War Veterans organization in 1920. The first President was Fred George, and the first Secretary was Eric Stevens, with a membership of thirty. The regular meetings were held in the Rex Hall. This organization continued until September 1939, when a charter was applied for and issued on November 6, 1939 in the name of the Kelliher Branch 219 of the Royal Canadian Legion with a membership of eighteen. Meetings were held in the old town hall at 2:30 p.m. in the wintertime, and at 8.30 p.m. in summertime. When the war started in 1939, a few more of the 14- 18 Veterans joined up but the membership was small, the Branch was active by sending parcels to the boys and girls overseas. In 1940, the Kelliher Branch sponsored a meeting to form a Veterans Battalion for home defense. Eighteen members of the Branch did not come back from overseas. When the troops returned in 1945-1946, the membership increased and the need for a permanent meeting place arose. A drive for funds was made and with volunteer labour, a meeting place in the old Town Hall was furnished. This served well until in 1962 the Cullen's Drugstore was purchased and gradually renovated to serve the Legion members and the Ladies’ Auxiliary. The membership at this time had risen to sixty. On September 12, 1950, a meeting was called for the purpose of organizing a Ladies’ Auxiliary to the Kelliher Branch of The Royal Canadian Legion. Twelve members were initiated, with President, Mrs. Cora Kaufhold, and Mrs. Ruth Englund as Secretary. Through the years, the membership had its ups and downs but the Branch was active in its support of the Legion, furnishing the kitchen, serving teas and catering to community events, sponsoring students to Provincial Track and Field events, 4H home craft clubs, Santa Claus days for the kids, etc. Through the years, the Kelliher Legion Branch 219 was active in several projects: a Legion dance pavilion was built and operated for some years on the shore of Birch Lake, swimming classes were sponsored by the local Legion and the Red Cross. Bingos were held weekly in the hall, students were sponsored to go to Provincial Track and Field meets, and yearly Literary and Poster Contest had, and still have, many participants from the Lestock, Kelliher and Ituna schools. The Hall is rented for community events and the Kelliher Lions Club have their regular meetings scheduled there. The members, Ladies’ Auxiliary and Color Party, always attend the school Remembrance Day services in Ituna and Kelliher. The Remembrance Day services are held in the town of Ituna on November 10th and in Kelliher on the November 11th with good attendance of both communities. Through the years, the Branch has taken part in several community events, as parades with the Color Party and floats in local and neighbouring communities. Members take part in Legion sporting events such as, curling, golf, bowling, and cribbage. The Branch made donations to the hospitals and senior homes in the form of wheelchairs, lifeline, or funds out of the poppy fund, toward the purchase of necessary equipment. Membership has declined with age. As of 2006, Kelliher Branch 219 has twenty-two members. The Ladies’ Auxiliary is still active locally with sixteen members and are a great support to the Kelliher Legion Branch. KELLIHER BRANCH 219
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