The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command Commemorative History Booklet 268 Dubuc Branch of the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League was organized on November 26, 1945 in the Almassey Hall. J.W.A. Edwards was elected President and Harold Moore was elected Secretary. In 1959, the B.E.S.L. was dropped and it became the Canadian Legion, and in 1961, by proclamation of the Queen, The Royal Canadian Legion. The first meetings were held in Harold Allan's office. Harold was a WWI Veteran. Later, they moved to the Homemaker's Hall. In 1952, a Legion room was completed in the Dubuc Memorial Hall, built by the community assisted by the Veterans. The hall was built in 1948 and dedicated to the Veterans of our community. In 2005, "The Year of the Veteran," pictures of Veterans from Dubuc community were displayed on the wall below the dedication plaque. In 1961, a Cenotaph was built on Main Street, on a lot donated by the village. It was unveiled at the November 11, 1961 Memorial Service. Wreaths were laid for 1914-1918 and 1939--1945 war dead, with their names engraved on the Cenotaph. In 1967, Larson School was moved next to the Cenotaph and renovated for the Legion's permanent headquarters. The "Hut," as it became known, was later turned over to the village in 1977, with the Legion having use of it as long as the Branch was active. In 1997, due to decline of memberships, the Legion was forced to disband and the memberships of a remaining faithful few were transferred to Esterhazy Legion. In 1970, they had a membership of seventeen to celebrate their 25th Anniversary. The Branch spent much time and effort aiding Veterans and their families and has recognition in Saskatchewan for its high sales of wreaths and poppies. The annual Remembrance Day services were always well attended, and neighbouring towns participated, as well. Youth participation was always present, with the children providing musical entertainment and on occasions, a youth choir provided anthems during the services. Lunch and fellowship with entertainment was a great loss to Dubuc community, when the Branch could no longer organize this annual event to honour our Veterans. The Legion organized Sports Days, turkey shoots, raffles, and football pools as fundraisers. The Legion assisted with work bees, building of houses, cutting firewood, helping sow, harvest, and doing summer fallow for folk needing help. In keeping with Legion aims, the fitness of youth was of prime concern. Track and Field trips were financed, physical fitness programs, and they organized baseball and softball, gun safety programs, with winter recreation in the Memorial hall. The annual Legion Essay and Poem Contest received good response from the schools. Several essays won at Zone, District, and even Provincial levels. In 2005, "THE YEAR OF THE VETERAN" pictures of community Veterans were displayed in the hall below the dedication plaque mounted in 1948. Pictures are still being added, as they are received. WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM. LADIES’ AUXILIARY TO DUBUC BRANCH 277 The Ladies’Auxiliary was organized on October 27, 1965, with ten ladies in attendance. The first President was Betty (Fred) Willway; Vice-President was Elsie McAlpine; 2nd Vice-President was Joyce Bawden; and Secretary/Treasurer was Goldie Stenberg. Standard Bearer was Irene Andersen. The Ladies’ Auxiliary helped support the Legion Branch financially with fundraisers, often catering at auction sales and providing lunches for the Memorial Services. They supported the Veteran’s Comfort Fund, Bursary Fund for aid to Veterans’ children to further their education. They sponsored many social events, the most outstanding being the Branch’s 25th Anniversary. They had a total of twenty-five members, thirteen of which were still active in 1980. They disbanded a few years prior to 1997. DUBUC BRANCH 277 ~ Closed Members of the Dubuc Branch Royal Canadian Legion taken Aug. 1-1986 (Legion’s 60) at their 40th anniversary celebration held in the Hut. Back row - Tom Wilson, Charlie Probert, Ed Skene, Ray Orgen, Clarence Anderson, Jack Dyser, Jack Ewen. Front Row: Bob Davies, Jim Skene, Andy Skene, Alan Edwards (Three members were unable to attend.)
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