The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 29 The Somme Branch No. 4 was chartered on December 13, 1926, under the name of Porcupine. The name was later changed to Somme in 1950. During the first few years of the Branch’s operation, things were slow due to most of the younger generation going off to war. At that time, the Branch was heavily involved in raising funds for purchasing material for caskets to bury the dead in their area. They helped to provide lumber, lining and handles. Branch members assisted with polishing caskets until about 1935. In 1946, when most of the younger generation returned from the war to civilian life, great interest was shown in the Somme Branch of the Legion. It was a great time to infuse new blood for the carrying on of the work of the older members in the earlier years. Once the Branch name was changed, a new large Legion Hall was built all by voluntary labour of Legion members and it opened New Year’s Eve 1950. The Branch has actively sponsored four ball teams over the years, supplying uniforms and equipment for junior teams. The Legion hall became the hub of the community serving many surrounding towns. The Legion helped to get the first community fair started and held numerous picnics and dances. The Ladies’ Auxiliary to the Somme Branch gave much wonderful assistance to the Branch since their formation in 1930. One memory stands out in the mind of Comrade Tom Rowan, a long-time member of the Branch; the making of crepe paper flowers for wreaths for Decoration Day and also gathering flowers for live bouquets. Once the veterans returned from war, the Branch held “Smokers,” and the idea of the smoker was to interest new members in joining. Much socializing was done, which enticed many new members to join the Branch. Once the new hall was built in the 1950’s, the Legion really boomed. Many community affairs were held, including November 11th suppers and NewYear’s Eve dances, some to the tune of 600 people. The Legion was the place to go back then. Over the next few years, the Hall was in need of repairs, so the Ladies’ Auxiliary kicked in with the starting of Bingos to raise funds for the repairs. As the years slipped by, membership dropped. It was finally decided that the Hall should be sold. Eventually it was turned over to the town, with the Legion still having certain rights to it. More years slipped by with the Somme Branch finding it hard to hold their Remembrance Day Services, so they joined with the Porcupine Plain Branch to hold combined services. Father time was taking its toll and the Somme Branch considered disbanding and closing their doors as a Branch. A date was set, the majority ruled against the closure, thus the Somme Branch still exists today. Under the leadership of Past President Art Harris, now deceased, a huge membership drive was undertaken to bring the Somme Branch some new life. It was a great success with the membership now standing at approximately nineteen members, which is pretty good considering they were contemplating closure and they are a very small community. SOMME BRANCH 4 When The Royal Canadian Legion was first started in 1926, the Kipling Branch was one of the first in Saskatchewan to be organized. The charter was approved on October 19, 1926, with the following charter members: Roy J. Pollock, Wallace Doucette, Peter Scott M.C., Charles James Slade, Graham Elder, Daniel D. McPherson, Wilfred Bruce, Arthur Bates, John Sproat, Nicholas Santo, Daniel J. Devine and Victor W. Honeysett. They were all veterans of the 1914-18 war, except for John Sproat who had seen service during the Riel Rebellion. The WWI Veterans were young men getting established and had young families. By 1929, they were into the “great depression.” It is not surprising that the Branch was not very active during that period. With the outbreak of the war in 1939, the Branch was reactivated. The old theatre had not been in operation for some time, so the Branch decided that there was an opportunity for them to provide a community service, as well as have a fundraising project. The use of the building was arranged and the members started putting on shows every weekend. They were soon able to purchase the building. They had started the business with very little in the way of either money or experience, but with the help of much volunteer labor, they had succeeded. The old building needed some repairs and renovations. The old hall at Kenosee was bought and torn down. The material was used to build a new theatre on two lots just east of the Bank property and the old theatre was sold to the Kipling co-op. A new charter was approved in 1942 and the Branch carried on. When WWII ended, the returning veterans found a very active Legion Branch. They had a modern theatre showing films three nights a week and were being very well supported by the KIPLING BRANCH 6 (Cont’d...)
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