The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command Commemorative History Booklet 262 At the end of WW I, returned men gathered at each other's homes for social evenings. They were also very active with sales of Victory Bonds and organizing sports days, memorial services and other projects in the community. On November 17, 1945, they became a Branch of the Canadian Legion British Empire Service League #266. Weyburn Branch #47 carried out the installation. They purchased the Strand Theatre as their meeting place and paid off the bank in 1962. Many activities have been held in the hall, such as Remembrance Day Services, NewYear's Eve dances, weddings, anniversaries and other functions. Bingo was started in 1960, and remains the main source of income. Decoration Day has been observed at the cemetery on a Sunday in June or July for many years. As a homecoming project in 1971, the Legion erected white iron crosses in a sacred place at the cemetery known as the Field of the Vanquished. The crosses bear the names of the service personnel who lost their lives and are buried overseas. Such crosses are also erected for all Veterans buried in the Yellow Grass Cemetery. A dedication cairn was later placed in this plot. In the early years, the Legion sponsored minor hockey. They helped provide coaches, equipment, uniforms and transportation to games. The number of active members is down. The Branch has four Life members, five Ordinary members, one Associate voting member and one Associate non-voting member. The current officers are President Ted Obst, Secretary Treasurer Lorna Obst, and Executive Member Ellwood (Poose) Whitrow. The Branch continues to meet their financial obligations by holding bingos, annual turkey shoots and an Irish Stew Supper. They sponsor the students Literary Contest and continue to hold the Remembrance Day Service each year with much help from Reverend Carolyn McBean. They no longer go to the Cenotaph in Allan Park, instead, they have a Cenotaph in the hall and a large cross where Legion members place poppies for the honored dead as their names are read aloud. The congregation then files forward to lay their poppies on the field of green. The Yellow Grass Branch motto is, as always, "Service." They will continue in the belief that the sacrifice made by those who gave their lives in defense of our nation shall not be forgotten. They shall carry on in service to those who served and need our assistance. LADIES’AUXILIARY TO YELLOW GRASS BRANCH 266 The Auxiliary was organized in 1949. After two years, it was disbanded and then reorganized again in 1960. Since that time, it has been active. The most important projects have been the Veteran's Comfort Fund and the Bursary Fund. In 1980, the Auxiliary was honored by the Legion with a banquet on the occasion of their Diamond Jubilee. The membership at that time was twenty-two, but over the years, has dwindled to approximately twelve members. They have helped serve lunch in the hall for funerals, and had many fundraisers, such at the Irish Stew Supper, Poppy Teas, Cribbage and Whist tournaments. They have served lunch at auction sales and catered wedding receptions and banquets. In 2000, the Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary Saskatchewan Command disbanded, but Yellow Grass Ladies’ Auxiliary has remained an Auxiliary to the Branch until the year 2006, when they also disbanded. YELLOW GRASS BRANCH 266 Left to right, back row: Thomas Cockram, Ellwood (Poose) Whitrow, Adolph (Bing) Jaster, Eldon (Pudge) Ralston, Theodore Obst, Conrad Bechard, George Bathgate, Reverend Carolyn McBean.
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