The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 55 The Branch had its first meeting on February 11, 1926, with 35 signed-up members. V. McKay was elected president. The Branch received its charter on October 16, 1926, and since that time, has had 51 Presidents, thru 2006. The Ladies’ Auxiliary was granted its charter on November 24, 1931, and since that time have had 36 Presidents, thru December 1995, when they surrendered their charter, at which time, a number of members opted to join the Legion as Associate members. The first meetings were held in the old Ozark Hotel, but eventually moved to the Armoury Post Office, then to the Civic Centre (where their meeting rooms were dedicated to War Veterans), and finally to the old Sask Tel building, which had been designated as a Heritage Site. Renovations to the interior have been completed by volunteer Legion members, and maintenance is currently provided by volunteer members. All aspects of Branch activity are carried out by volunteer members of the Branch. Branch activities include bingo sessions, bowling and cribbage. The sick and visiting committee pay regular visits to Veterans in long-term care facilities. Annual Branch activities include: Hosting the November 11th Remembrance ceremony for the city with Air Cadet Squadron assistance; Decoration Day along with the Air Cadets; Poppy and Vimy tea's; Canada Day opening ceremonies; Poetry, poster and essay competition, as well as doing the awards presentations; School visits prior to November 11th; sponsoring 171 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Cadets. Periodically, the Branch hosts Zone Rallies and provides colour parties for various organizations at opening and closing ceremonies. In the past, the Branch has hosted Provincial Crib Tournaments, as well as Provincial Curling Tournaments. Present membership stands at: 22 Life Ordinary members, 21 Ordinary members, 72 Associate members, and 9 Affiliate members, for a total of 124 members. The dates are missing, but our Branch has hosted Provincial Crib Touranments, as well as Provincial Curling Tournaments in the past. The Branch is proud of their registered War Memorial, which was dedicated on August 4, 1929. It has been relocated three times, with the last being in August/September 2006 at which time it was completely refurbished and re-dedicated. It weighs approximately 29,000 pounds, including four granite books. The names of 88 fallen comrades from WWI, WWII and Korea are permanently attached to the books in hand-cut, gold leaf lead. The words on the twelve-feet high obelisk are done in the same manner. It is now located in the City of Melfort’s newly-created Memorial Garden. MELFORT BRANCH 30 The Paddockwood District was settled by many First World War Veterans, taking up homesteads and developing the community, through the Soldier Settlement Board. The Paddockwood Branch was chartered on November 23, 1926, as a Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League. Members were: R. Milligan, D.J. Smith, D. McGillivray, J. Pieln, J. Sinden, D. Frechette, P.O. O'Hea, J. Vines, C. Thorburn, R. Wilson, A. Street, N. Davis, S. Hickey, T. Campbell, J. Adair. First meetings were held in various homes. A Legion Hall was built in 1933, one half mile south of the Dorothy School in the Forest Gate area. The community got together to take out logs, saw the logs into lumber, and build the hall. This was done under the supervision of Harry Clarke. Dances, meetings, and many community functions were held there, until it was sold to Cyril Brooks in 1965. After the Second World War, the Branch was moved into the Village of Paddockwood. Meetings were held in different homes, as well as the Friendship Hall. Mr. Hilton Dyson donated a piece of land and a building to the Legion, which was renovated and became the Legion Hall in 1948. Later, a kitchen was added. This building was also used for the 1st Paddockwood Library. Meetings are now held in the Club Rooms of the Seniors Hall. In 1983, the Legion Branch erected a War Memorial in the park by the Community Hall. There are 375 names from the Paddockwood area that enlisted in the 1st and 2nd World Wars PADDOCKWOOD BRANCH 31 (Cont’d...)
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