The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 59 The name H.J.C. Becher Captain RFA appears prominently from 1919 Great War Veterans Association and continuing through the decades, serving as Branch President and Secretary/Treasurer - credited with keeping the local Branch going through the war years when there were so few Veterans around. The September 23, 1969 minutes record a motion to purchase J. Becher memorial plaque nameplate. Comrade Becher had actively participated in prior month's meeting; 50 years of service! Minutes from 1934 indicate that meetings were held at homes of members. President was H.R Dale, R.H. Jacob was 1st VP., W. Merritt was 2nd VP, and E.Y.C. Johns recorded minutes. A fraternal visit was exchanged with Earl Grey Branch-, through a summer family basket picnic, with lemonade, 5 gallons of ice cream and cones. The event was well attended. Meals, hotel and car allowance, totaling $24.40 was paid for provincial convention delegate expense. 12 memberships were paid. Social events were coordinated jointly with Silton Ladies’ Auxiliary In 1934, Silton membership was approving motions in support of medical pensions where Veterans suffered reduced health, or mobility or medical problems - pursuing lobby for independent medical assessments, appropriate disability pensions. In July 1934, members were looking into building or acquiring a suitable Legion building. This activity must have been in vain, as similar motions reappear in 1947, with a building being obtained from Comrade Bill Batty, and moved into Silton for refit and the first meeting was finally held on May 27, 1949, in the Branch's very own building. Tough times of the ‘Dirty 30’s’ were evident by brief minute notes recorded in pencil using 5-cent school scribblers but Remembrance Day services and joint Legion and Ladies’ Auxiliary suppers continued. Some 1935 meetings were held at the office of the Pool elevator, local garage, lumberyard, but mostly in members' homes. • Branch minutes of March 31, 1935 record a motion to investigate procuring a WWI memorial window for installation in the Silton United Church. October/November 1937: 300 pictures in folders with memorial verse were ordered for a fundraising sale at 5 for $1.00. • At a regional Legion meeting on May 18, 1935, of 21 Earl Grey, Silton and Strasbourg members, a feisty group of returned Veterans discussed and pursued resolutions including: 1. That all cuts in small pensions be restored; 2. That restored pensions 30% and under be made permanent; 3. Right of pensioners to apply for Board (review) be restored. 4. Resolution condemning provincial government's dismissal of a Veteran without just cause. Motion: Letter of direction to Indian Head zone that provincial command adopt a more militant attitude regarding the dismissal of ex serviceman from public service of the province without just cause. (A reaction to the dismissal of an Earl Grey beer store ex-serviceman employee.) • Minutes from August 9, 1936 state ''that $10.00 be donated to Commander Becher to enable him to purchase half-year car and driver's license to enable him to visit his wife in Qu' Appelle san." Writer's comment: wow! In June 1937, a motion was made to pay $10.00 coronation expenses. Meetings of this era being held in local lumberyard office - garage or elevator. A gap in Silton Legion minutes exists from April 1941-1947 - Jim Ewing, WWII Veteran suggests that HlC. (Captain Becher pretty well kept the Branch going while all the men were away (to war). August 15, 1945: F1ags flying in honour of the end of World War II. A celebration was held in the hall for the end of the Japanese war. August 19: A Thanksgiving service was held in the church with 80 people in attendance. Later, a public reception was held in honour of the returning Veterans, among whom were Lorne Salkeld, George Burrows, Jake Bundas, John Watson, Fred Cowan, Ted Ball, Raymore Wright and Jim Ewing. Credit: Early Silton History by Myrtle Burrows Perusal of Royal Canadian Legion, Silton Branch regular meetings minutes from May 29, 1947, identify Com Becher as President, Comrades Cowan, J. Becher Jr., A Rich, W. Rich Sr., W. Batty White, J. Anderson and Secretary/Treasurer J. Ewing for a total of 9 attending the meeting. This is similar to our count of 7 to 9 attending monthly meetings in 2006. The names H. Ball and J. Ewing appear in 1947 meeting minutes - J. Martin's application for membership in the Silton Branch is recorded on November 19, 1947. Comrades Ball, Ewing and Martin continue to hold membership in the Silton Branch and were presented 60-year membership pins, along with comrades Len Ordon, and now deceased Victor Compton, in May 2005. Comrade Joe Martin continues to actively serve the Legion as Branch Secretary/Treasurer and unofficial historian. We note that Comrade President Becher attended provincial convention with the Silton Legion Branch approving the paying of his $15.00 expenses. Acquiring a Legion meeting hall was under consideration with possibility of a joint venture with the Ladies’ Auxiliary group. Legion meetings were held by alternating invitation at the homes of members. May 27, 1949 was the date of first Silton Legion Branch meeting held in their recently acquired and refurbished very own clubrooms. The November 7, 1949 executive minutes record the building of a cindercrete chimney, installation of ceiling and wallboard by the 'Lutheran church people' as a work donation to the Legion Branch club building in return for allowed use of Legion building for Lutheran church services. SILTON BRANCH 33 (...Cont’d) (Cont’d...)
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