The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 237 In November 1939, a group of World War I veterans met in Abbey, making the decision to organize a branch of the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League. The charter was granted on January 8, 1940, representing 30 members from Cabri west along the Empress line. The first annual meeting was held on November 16, 1940, in Mrs. Mathison’s house. When the second war ended in 1945, veterans returning home found the Abbey Legion well established. They were encouraged to join and play a major role in the branch. At the time of the annual meeting, February 1947, the membership was 184 veterans. In 1948, members of the Legion invited mothers and wives of veterans to discuss forming an Auxiliary. At the meeting held on April 21 in the original Abbey school building, two important decisions were made: the ladies voted to form a branch of the Ladies’ Auxiliary, and the Legion agreed to make an offer to the Leader School Unit for the purchase of the school building, erected in 1915, to be used as a Legion hall. The Auxiliary charter was issued in May 1948, with 24 members on the original roll. The school building was purchased for $1000, with an official opening held in March 1949. The Legion and Ladies’ Auxiliary now had a home, which was also to be available to the community, with a special emphasis on youth groups. Some of the veterans carried with them, from wartime socializing, the rolling of dice (crap shooting). This being very noisy, they were relegated to the crumbling basement of the old building, which soon helped them realize a new one was necessary. In 1949, the hall was moved onto the new basement. This was followed by a new porch on the front, which included washrooms to replace the outdoor plumbing. Later, a kitchen was added to the rear of the building. These improvements were a combined effort of the Legion and the Auxiliary. A cenotaph was placed near the hall and properly dedicated with a full colour ceremony. In February 1974, the first associate members were initiated and remain an integral part of the organization. Over the years, the Legion has sponsored youth groups. Boy Scouts and Cubs, 4-H beef, homecraft and canine clubs, Girl Guides and Brownies have used the Legion hall for their meetings and activities. Both groups provide scholarships to high school graduates. On 4-H Achievement Day, the Auxiliary runs the lunch booth and the Legion hosts a beef barbecue. The Legion and Auxiliary have entered floats and provided colour parties for the annual Chokecherry Festival in Lancer and for other significant events. The Auxiliary held a St. Patrick’s Day dance for many years and continues to hold an annual Mother’s Day Tea. Members and friends have put on nostalgic musical performances, Sentimental Journey and Down Memory Lane. Remembrance Week is a major time for our branch. Comrades take part in school remembrances; the solemnity of Remembrance Day is emphasized for the community service by the backdrop depicting a war scene painted by local artist Angela Kost; a banquet and dance are hosted in the evening. A Wall of Remembrance was added to the Legion Hall in 2003, commemorating local servicemen who paid the ultimate sacrifice and have had Saskatchewan geographic features named for them. ABBEY BRANCH 222 Box 81 Dodsland, SK S0L 0V0 Secretary: James Duncan Phone: 306-356-2183 President: John Perratt Phone: 306-356-4714 Branch Charter Date: 25 August 1939 Current Membership: 17 Auxiliary Charter Date: 09 August 1944 DODSLAND BRANCH 221
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