The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 41 In 1926, a group of World War I veterans held a meeting in their homes to discuss forming a branch of the Legion. That same year, this Branch received its charter and was known as the Royal Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service. The Legion Charter is dated October 16, 1926, signed by B.M. Cambell, Dominion Secretary, and by Percy Drake, Dominion President. The first Legion consisted of 16 members with William Reed as the first Secretary and Gilbert Proctor the first President. The first meeting was held in a small hut on the edge of town before the present facilities were acquired. The Ladies’ Auxiliary to the branch was formed on September 1, 1954, by ten ladies from the area, with Ellen Dobrowolski elected as the first President, and Myrtle Graik as the first Secretary/Treasurer. The Ladies’ Auxiliary has been an important part of the Legion until it dissolved on December 31, 2000, with many of its members joining the regular Legion at that time. In 1930, a memorial to the war veterans was built on Memorial Hill and dedicated in 1931 by the Legion and Community, this memorial was restored in 2005-2006 and rededicated on June 17, 2006 and is now considered one of Shell Lake’s attractions. Branch 15 now has 43 members and is a very important part of this community, as it has been for the past 80 years. They hold several fund-raisers each year to aid in building maintenance, Branch 15 Legion programs, and those of Provincial Command. The Branch puts special emphasis on Remembrance Day with special programs in the School and Community, never losing sight of the obligations as a Legion. A Cenotaph was erected next to the Legion hall in 1985, along with handicap entry and many improvements to the existing building. All maintenance and services are completely voluntary, with no paid employees. Please feel free to visit our community, our Legion and Memorial Hill when in our area. SHELL LAKE BRANCH 15 On Saturday, November 22, 1919, in Robertson’s Hall, fourteen members of the Great War Veterans Association held their first meeting. By 1931, membership had reached sixty-five and took in the towns of Foam Lake, Elfros, Leslie, Tuffnell, Sheho and Kelliher. The first social function was a dance held on December 16, 1919 in Robertson’s Hall, with music supplied by the Yorkton Orchestra. The Orchestra was paid a sum of $68, food and hotel expenses of $11 was paid for their stay overnight. The lunch for the dance cost $47.60, and decorations were $1.00. Proceeds from dance was $191 minus expenses. In March of 1926, Foam Lake formed a local branch of the Canadian Legion and became a chartered member on November 2, 1926. Over the years, meetings were held in Robertson’s Hall (later known as Loptson’s Hall - Red and White Store on the first floor, Main Street), Walshe’s Office, Town Council Chambers and Sheho Ukrainian Hall. Construction of the present Legion Hall, measuring 60' x 30' and located on 404 Royal Street, began in 1957. The kitchen area was renovated in 1974-75, and in 1981-82, the Lounge, 40'x30' was added. The Ladies’ Auxiliary became chartered members on November 4,1931, and eventually reached a membership of sixty-five by the 1970's. The ladies held meetings in their homes and the Town Office. The Ladies’ Auxiliary, along with the Legion, held dances, whist-drives, bingo, sports day, amateur night, moving picture shows, raffles, collection for lunch after meetings, and in later years, catered to various celebrations and donated to many local organizations and charities. In December of 1994, the Ladies’ Auxiliary disbanded, but with the determination of ten members, they were re-institutionalized on January 23, 1995. In December 1998, the Auxiliary made a final motion to disband, and if so wished, members could join the Legion Branch. With the disbanding of the Leslie Legion Branch 172 in 2002, Foam Lake saw an increase in membership to fifty by 2006. FOAM LAKE BRANCH 16 Back row, left to right - Don Eyolfson, Lorne Hanson, Jim Anderson, John Scratton, Elmer Olafson, Art Gray. Front Row, left to right - Jane Karakochuk, Colleen Kearns, Rose Polonich, Wasyl Chaykoski, Lois Steele, Judy Thorsteinson
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