The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 263 Alameda Legion Branch #267 was formed in 1946, with fifty-seven members. Ken Collopy was the first President and Emile Jonescu was the first Secretary/Treasurer. The Alameda Legion Auxiliary received their charter in the same year. In December 1947, the twenty-one Frobisher members helped form Frobisher Branch #343, leaving Alameda Branch membership at thirty-six. Meetings were held in the Alameda Community Hall, which was the former Presbyterian Church. In April 1947, the Alameda Community Hall Association turned this building over to the Legion. The Branch made many repairs and built an addition of a Clubroom. For many years, this building was the meeting place for many organizations, where socials, dances, plays, etc., were held. Weekly picture shows were run by the Legion. The Ladies’ Auxiliary utilized the basement for serving lunches and other catering. In 1957 and 1958, there was a trailer court in the Legion yard. During 1959, the building of a new hall was the topic of much discussion and our last meeting was held in the old hall on September 2, 1959. Meetings were then held in the former T.R. Truscott office. With many hours of volunteer labour, sale of the old hall material, donations, and a loan of one thousand dollars, the basement was filled in and a new hall was built. The first meeting in the new hall was October 4, 1961. Gas heat, sewer and water, new steps and back porch have been added over the years. Over the next few years, the Legion Play Park was built, which has been financed by some donations, but mostly by the Community Christmas Card, which is sponsored annually by the Ladies’ Auxiliary. It would be remiss to not give credit to the help and support of these ladies, without whom most Branches would not survive. A major addition was made to the hall in the early 1980s, expanding seating and enlarging the kitchen. With the disbanding of the Frobisher Legion, some members transferred to Alameda Branch and being able to bring in new young blood, the Branch has been going strong. In the last few years, a deck was added to the hall and a liquor license was obtained. The Legion has been quite active hosting District golf, as well as many Zone Functions. They were privileged to send two members, Glenn Zimmerman and Bill Neuman to Sudbury, Ontario for the Dominion Cribbage Tournament. Over the years, besides supporting Legion and community projects, the Branch has sponsored the Boy Scouts, Santa Claus Day, men's bonspiel, and carnivals, etc. With the Ladies’Auxiliary, we have sent both girls and boys to the Physical Fitness Camp since its inception. The Branch supports the Bow Valley Air Cadets Squadron #675. They continue to hold Remembrance Day Ceremonies and do a Poppy Campaign. The school children of Alameda and Frobisher do great work on Remembrance poster, poem and essay contests, sending some to Zone, District and Provincial levels. Through the years, membership has varied, with members being deceased, moving away and being transferred. Some members have transferred to our Branch and with new members, membership is now forty-six. Presidents throughout the years were: G.K. Collopy. W.G. Gibson, W.G. Young, R.H. Farden, R.M. Emmerson, J. McManus, B.V. Ward, W.M. Bennett, W.O. De yell, R.G. Santer, C.N. Slack, G.M. Young, A.T. Farnden, J.L. Bechman, O.P. Petzel, W.D. Farden, E.R Emmerson, E.D. Barton, J.P Harvey, Ken Annetts, Reed Gibson, Robert Wilson, Gordon Young and Butch Richarson. The position of Secretary/Treasurer has been held by: E. Jonescu, N. Slack, A. Farnden, N. Strong, D. Farden, B. Farden, W. Gibson, Morley Bennett, Grant Young, Trina Faber, Allen Schiestel and Bonnie Widenmaier. The Branch continues to uphold the tradition and values of The Royal Canadian Legion, while never forgetting the sacrifice of fellow comrades and honoring the remaining Veterans of the community. ALAMEDA BRANCH 267 The Coronach Branch of The Royal Canadian Legion was organized at a meeting held on September 15, 1945, in the United Church basement with Len Chase who was Secretary of the Saskatchewan Command present. Harve Coubrough was elected President with Nels Nelson and Leonard Knudsen as Vice-Presidents. Alex Stone was Secretary/Treasurer and Ed Sanders Sr. as Sergeant-at-Arms. A chapter for the Branch was secured the following year. In June of 1952, a re-organization meeting was held in the fire hall with C.A. Brown becoming President and Elizabeth Goddard, Secretary/Treasurer. James Deacon became President that same year. A fieldstone cairn was erected in the cemetery as a Cenotaph, which was unveiled at a ceremony held on November 11, 1952. This had been largely the work of Frank Willford. An annual meeting was held the same day and Robert McNair became the new President. Legion colors were obtained by Harve Coubrough and Alex Stone donating the Branch standard and the organization bought the Union Jack. There was much discussion at this time about securing a suitable building for a Legion hall. A town lot was purchased early in 1953. In June of that year, a bid was placed on Luella School, which was being offered for sale by the Willow Bunch School Unit. The bid was accepted and in the fall a CORONACH BRANCH 268 (Cont’d...)
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