The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 81 On February 22, 1919, Grenfell and District Veterans became a Branch of The Great War Veterans Association (GWVA) of Canada. Comrades Thomas Wright, President; Chris Rosborough, 1st Vice; Charles Elliott, 2nd Vice; and G.A. Gamsby, Secretary-Treasurer. They met in various clubrooms while petitioning for armouries up and down the line to be thrown open to the Association. They were finally granted permission to meet in the Grenfell Armoury. In February 1926, they sent a delegate to the first Provincial Convention of the Canadian Legion British Empire Service League. On March 11, 1926, they decided to disband the GWVA and join the Legion. Executive Members were: Comrades B.E. Hull, President; F. Pollock, 1st Vice; C.J. Chambers, 2nd Vice; and G.A. McLeod, Secretary/Treasurer. This brought new life and new members, and they carried on being a leading organization in the community. They have continuously sent delegates to Provincial and Dominion Conventions and have maintained a membership of more than 100. The Branch has contributed 5 Zone Commanders, 2 District Commanders, and one Provincial President – Comrade Frank Broome. In 1947, the Branch members wanted to build a hall. The Veterans dug into their own pockets and bought a lot and started fundraising. When the Armoury burned down in 1950, the need became urgent. Although the Federal Government quickly rebuilt the Armoury, it was not suited to civilian use. The town was undecided as to what they wanted, so the Legion went ahead on their own. Someone questioned whether they had the expertise for this, and one Comrade and former officer replied that ‘his comrades who had fought and won two world wars were certainly capable of building a hall.’ The Legion organized volunteer labour and hired a contractor to oversee the work. The Grenfell Legion Community Hall was officially opened on November 11, 1953, by a former comrade, The Honourable W.J. Patterson, Lt. Governor of Saskatchewan. This is the Legion’s greatest legacy to the community. The Legion had a meeting room upstairs until it became too difficult for aging Veterans to mount the stairs so they purchased the Armoury in 1992. Another outstanding legacy is the running track at the High School. Comrade Ernie Elliott was the force behind this project, which was dedicated in 1971 and named Bricker Field in memory of Comrade C.D. Bricker, an Olympic medal winner in track and field. The Legion was instrumental in getting the Donors Choice organized. Another achievement is the Military Room at the Museum. This was done almost entirely by Comrade J.P. Claxton and is one of the highlights of the Museum. The Legion has done much excellent work in the community, which stands out and will continue for many years to come. In 2005, they began putting up pictures of local Veterans from all wars and to date have over 400 featured. The Branch has a good relationship with the schools. In 1952, Legion personnel visited 12 country schools to explain the poppy and Remembrance Day. Services are held at both Elementary and High Schools, as well as the Community Service. The Branch has been fortunate to have the right people on the roster when most needed: during prohibition - the town bootlegger; building the Hall - farmers with muscle, cement mixers and facilities for livestock donated for fundraising raffles; elevator agents - to sell the donated grain and grain grown by the members on leased land; Bricker Field - comrades who had access to the proper machinery; financing – a banker; legal - a lawyer; pictures - computer experts. Emphasis now is on the aging Veterans and youth. The Branch’s goal is to stay strong for the new generation of Veterans. LADIES’ AUXILIARY TO GRENFELL BRANCH 55 The Ladies’ Auxiliary to Branch 55 started sometime in 1931. the charter date was January 19, 1932, and disbanded January 1, 2000. The Auxiliary had a successful 68 years of raising funds and helping the local Legion Branch in various ways. There were 15 charter members: Janet Rosborough, Mabel Bricker, Norma Garden, Charlotte Telfor, Kathleen Parsons, Agnes Bainton, Kate Ferth, Annie Elliott, May Meeker, Blanche Hodges, Bertha Duprau, Janet Mcdonald, Nittie Ashfield, Teresa Hunter, and Ethel Leonard. Mabel Bricker was the first President. The main object of the Auxiliary was to help the Veterans and their dependents, and they did this by raising funds through whist drives and lunches being served at dances in the early years. Tickets for these events were $1.00. In later years, the Auxiliary catered to lunch at auctions sales, banquets for graduation, weddings and anniversaries. In 1939, a quilt was initiated with all the names of the Veterans in the surrounding area. The quilt now hangs in the military room at the Grenfell Adare Museum. The Auxiliary made many donations over the years to the Vets Comfort Fund, Provincial Bursary Fund, Paraplegic Fund, Camp Easter Seal, Legion Track & Field, Telemiracle, Grenfell High School, Grenfell Elementary School, and Mainline Music Festival. These were all yearly donations. Activities of the Auxiliary over the years include: catered a supper to the Senior Citizens for the area yearly in June; provided lunch at the Mainline Music Festival when held in Grenfell; assisted the Legion with the yearly poppy drive; assisted the Legion with the yearly Remembrance Day Services at the Elementary & High Schools, Pioneer Home and GRENFELL BRANCH 55 (Cont’d...)
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