The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 35 A group of returned Veterans of World War I got together to reminiscence and have a drink or two. They finally decided to organize, because they felt a group voice for benefits would be stronger than many single voices. They applied for membership in the British Empire Service League and received the Charter in October 1926. As all early records were lost, the history of the Branch must depend on memory of its members. It seems there were about 40 names on the first membership list, but only nine names are on the Charter. The meetings were held in an upstairs room at the school, then the upper level of the fire hall, and then the Presbyterian Church, which is now a heritage building. It took twenty years of fundraising by both the Ladies’Auxiliary and the Branch to be in a position to even think about purchasing their own hall. In 1946, the Provincial Government put the buildings of the NATO Pilot Training base on the Airport up for sale. The Branch members at that time negotiated a price of $1200.00 for the '"L" shaped recreation hall and canteen. The "L" part was traded to Mr. Stewart to move the building to its present location from six miles north of North Battleford. Even then, the building had to be cut in half in order to get it across the old iron bridge, which was built in 1912 for horse and buggy traffic. At the present location, 262-22nd Street, a basement was dug and the building was finally in place. Fundraising by both the Ladies’ Auxiliary and the Branch was in high gear. Bingos, 50-50 tickets in the business, dances and raffles were main money raisers for the Branch. They rented the main floor to the general public for dances, weddings, funerals, etc. Finally, in 1971, an addition was made to both the main floor and the basement. The Branch could then accommodate groups as large as 200. During all this time, the Ladies’Auxiliary, who got their Charter in 1926, with 9 members, worked tirelessly in support of their men. Their first meeting was held in the Council Chamber on November 13, 1926. Once the hall was in place, they held teas, bake sales, raffles, suppers and catered the suppers or lunches for people renting the hall. They also made up and sold cookbooks. The Ladies furnished and equipped the kitchen with a commercial size cook stove, dishes, cutlery and a fridge. In 1981, the Branch gave the Ladies the Bingos to run, which they still do. Other fundraisers were Fiddle Competitions, and an Ol’ Time Fiddle Jamboree. Comrade Ross Innis and helpers compiled a book "Lest We Forget" of all local military from the Boer War to the Korean Conflict, which were sold. We have continued to make improvements to the Hall. A ramp on the outside to get people upstairs to the main hall and an electric chair-lift to get people downstairs to the Clubroom have been added. The ramp was a joint effort of the Ladies’ Auxiliary and the Branch, but a member donated the chair lift. The Branch and the Ladies’Auxiliary support many worthy causes: The Battleford’s Pipes & Drums Band, Battleford’s Army Cadets, the local Tot Lot, and many charitable organizations that have to do with Seniors and Youth. All this, besides taking care of local Veterans with gifts at Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries and any extra comforts for them. The Branch also does their lawns in the summertime and snow removal in winter. The Branch also does these things for the surviving spouse. This Branch could not have survived the 80 years without member volunteers who gave of their time, talents and money; the Ladies’ Auxiliary who worked tirelessly, in sometimes very trying circumstances (especially in the early days), to produce the best meals and tea parties in town. In October and November of each year, the Branch members sell wreaths and poppies. Local businesses allow poppy trays and each business buys a wreath to display. The Army Cadets do a house-to-house canvas now. It used to be the Ladies who went door-to-door. The school children do take part in the Literary and Poster Competition. Both the Branch and the Auxiliary had excellent curling teams over the years. The curling has dwindled, but they enter Cribbage and Senior Bowling each year. They used to have a couple of golfers but have never entered darts. Since Provincial Command changed Battleford Branch 9 to a larger Zone size, interest has declined. There is now Branch Crib on the first Saturday and Kaiser on the third Saturday of each month, with meat draws at both, in the Clubroom. These card days are well attended. Crib has meat for prizes and Kaiser gives money. During the 80 years, the Ladies’ Auxiliary has had 23 presidents, and the Branch has had 46 presidents with some serving more than one year and more than one term. BATTLEFORD BRANCH 9
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