The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 249 The Macrorie Legion was organized in 1944 by some of the First World War Veterans. They received their charter on June 20, 1945, after some of the servicemen had returned home. These charter members are: A.W. Blundell, J.W. Coates, D.A. Delparte, J.R. Graham, W.T. Hill, P.E. Hodges, L.M. Hurlburt, A.C. Kvale, D.L. Metcalf, A.G Prentice, C. Seymour, J.C. Talbot, R.P. Tett, and T.J. Turgeon. First officers elected were J.R. Graham as President, Charles Seymour as Vice-President, and Wm. Blundell as Secretary/Treasurer. One of the first projects they did was to give each of the servicemen a gold ring on his return home, which is now a prized souvenir. To raise money, and for entertainment, the Branch held Saturday night dances. Music was supplied by the Macrorie Orchestra, with Mrs. Calloway, Ken, Merlin and Alton Corbett and Willard Ross. The first meetings were held in the Macrorie School, and then in 1948, Goodwill School was purchased for the sum of fifty dollars. Goodwill was located two miles east of town so the members, with local help, moved it into town under the supervision of Arnold Grindle, who also supplied the moving timbers. The hall is located just north of the Macrorie Town Hall, where a field stone Cenotaph was also erected in memory of those who gave their lives for their country. One of the aims of the Legion is to see to the welfare of the Veterans and their dependants in time of need, and this Branch has done so on several occasions, especially organizing and with the help of neighbours in putting on bees to seed, summer fallow or harvest crops whenever needed. This Branch has excellent relations and cooperation from the community in any of the projects they have undertaken. The Branch has helped to purchase equipment for the different sports organizations, held annual fish derbies, a children's sports day and for more than twenty-five years, held a "Friendship Ball" after harvest. This ball was always very well attended. With sons and daughters of Veterans able to join, the Branch has increased in size. Today, there are a total of twenty-eight members; unfortunately only three members are Veterans. The Ladies’ Auxiliary received their charter on June 6, 1946, with seventeen members on the Charter Roll. Although, the Ladies’Auxiliary is no longer, there are still eight active members who attend Legion meetings and help the Branch in every way possible. MACRORIE BRANCH 239 On Wednesday, April 11, 1945, a group of Kenaston men met for the purpose of organizing a Branch of the Canadian Legion B.E.S.L. Present at that first meeting were C.F. Edwards, A.W. Breadner, M.E. Prpic, L.E. Wood, F.C. Fountain, Andrew McBroom, D. Robson, R.E.G Adams of Kenaston and W.H Dean of Hanley. The election of officers for the new organization resulted in Russel Adams being elected as President, Donald Robson as 1stVice-President, A.W. Breadner as 2nd Vice-President and C.F. Edwards as Secretary/Treasurer. On this afternoon, the Kenaston Branch of the Canadian Legion was formed. Early meetings of the Kenaston Legion were held in the CNR waiting room. Discussions in those early days revolved around community events, Legion activities and how best to welcome home the men still coming from overseas. It may be of interest to note that the first time the Legion operated the Crown and Anchor at the Kenaston Sports Day was in July of 1945, a tradition that continued until just a few years ago. The Legion sponsored regular dances, ran the picture shows in the town hall, as well as Armistice Day celebrations. The first wreath and poppy campaign took place in 1946. The sprays of poppies sold at that time for $2.00 each. One of the early campaigns showed total sales of $120.00. By the end of 1946, most of the veterans were back in Kenaston. The Legion was in charge of the Kenaston town hall and the Boy Scouts were given free use providing they did the janitorial work. Hall rental was set at $10.00 for dances, $15.00 for outsiders and $6.00 for non-profit organizations. Admission to the Saturday night dance was set at 35 cents. In 1948, the Branch had grown considerably. It was decided that a Legion Clubroom was necessary for meetings and social events. The Blue Hills School had remained vacant for some KENASTON BRANCH 240 (Cont’d...)
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