The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 73 ROULEAU BRANCH 44 (...Cont’d) LADIES’ AUXILIARY TO ROULEAU BRANCH 44 Through the leadership and organizational skills of Joyce McEwen, several ladies became interested in forming an auxiliary. The Queen Elizabeth Branch Auxiliary to the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League was formed in Rouleau on February 13, 1952. Charter members were: Joyce McEwen, Ruby McKenzie, Marj Nicholson, Gwen Dickson, Elinor Clarke, Norma Drew, Clara Smith, Olive Hansen, Freda Gillis and Doreen Yackel. Meetings were held on the third Thursday of each month in the Legion Room at the rink. Mr. and Mrs. B.H. Moore donated a flag to the Auxiliary in memory of their son Kenneth; dedication service was led by Rev. Burley. By January 1, 1953, the membership was 37 ladies. Early projects undertaken by the ladies were packing parcels for the soldiers serving in Korea, visits and treats to hospitalized Veterans and patients in the Saskatchewan Hospital, Weyburn. They held an annual canvas for the mental health campaign, conducted house surveys in connection with Civil Defense Project, provided Christmas Cheer parcels and other remembrances to people within the community, and gave monetary donations to various causes. As well as the usual fund-raisers, the Ladies held a few novel events, such as pie shoots, indoor carnivals, dress raffles, hobo gallup teas and the traveling waistline apron. Their annual Flowers of Hope Tea for the Saskatchewan Association for the mentally disabled was held until the late 1980’s. The Ladies assisted the Legion with catering at the rink, car bingos, November 11th dances, building of floats and the annual Remembrance Day Literary competition. Over the years, the Ladies’Auxiliary paid tribute to the Veterans at the annual Remembrance Day Service. The Ladies were an important part of the Rouleau Community. Membership gradually decreased until only a faithful few remained under the leadership of President Judy Hodder and Secretary Treasurer Bev LeBlanc. The Ladies’ Auxiliary disbanded on June 20, 1994. A meeting of returnee men eligible for membership in the Great War Veterans' Association was held in the Punnichy Valley Centre Hotel on January 23, 1920. The President of the Raymore Branch, Comrade Chapman, explained the steps to organize a Branch. At this meeting, a Branch was formed and an executive elected. The next meeting was held at the Punnichy School with first officers: J.B. Hardinge, President; J. Hollis, 1st Vice; W. Swan, 2nd Vice; and A.C. Phillips, Secretary/Treasurer. The Executive Committee consisted of G. Lamb, A.W. Anderson, J. Hadley, B.J. Medland and J.D. Straker. The membership fees were $1.00 per member. On March 24, 1926, the name Great War Veterans' Association was changed to The Royal Canadian Legion, British Service League, so the Branch became The Touchwood Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion No.45 B.E.S.L. Then on November 11, 1948, after much discussion, the name was changed to The Punnichy Branch #45, and soon after the B.E.S.L. was dropped. The aim of this organization, as it is today, was to assist the returned Veterans and their dependents, to assure fair treatment and rehabilitation, to maintain future security and to retain peace. Assistance was often sought from Provincial Command through the Branch for Veterans and dependents. Many times, the Branch assisted with local funds to members in times of sickness, fire and death. On September 24, 1922, the first monument was unveiled by Lieutenant Governor Newlands, for the purpose of perpetually reminding everyone of the supreme sacrifice made by young men of the district, who served in the "Great War." The second monument, which is still standing, was built in 1931, on the same site referred to as "Monument Hill." The third monument was erected at the end of Main Street in 1968, as the hill was becoming difficult for many to climb on the November 11th parade day. On March 18, 1947, a group of ladies gathered to organize a Ladies’ Auxiliary to the Touchwood Branch. The ladies wasted no time at all in getting to work. Their first money-raising effort was on April 7, 1947, serving lunch at the Easter Monday dance, put on by the Legion Branch. This netted them a profit of $12.40, and together with a $5.00 donation from the Legion, started them of their way. With the money they raised, donations were sent to the following: Food for Britain, Veterans' Comfort Fund, Christmas Cheer Fund, Books for Troops, Bursary Fund, T.B. Fund, Donor's Choice, and also for a period of years, the ladies sent a monthly parcel to a family overseas Through the years, the Auxiliary had seen many members come and go (46 in all), with 5 original members still belonging to the Auxiliary at the time of its demise in 2004. PUNNICHY BRANCH 45 (Cont’d...)
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