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shawa Cana Banquet Tonight Marks Jubilee Of Branch In Oshawa Tonight, at a silver jubilee banquet to be held in the dian Legion Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary L 4 their dependents of Oshawa, and literally hundreds of cases were handled successfully, bringing re- lief to veterans who had previously not béen able to secure redress or recognition of their grievances. This was a major factor in pro- moting the growth of the branch, because knowledge of its notable achievements along this line soon became known throughout the vet- eran fraternity in Oshawa. 1931 CONVENTION The year 1931 was a red-letter year for the Oshawa Branch of the Legion, for in that year the Ontario Provincial Convention was officially opened the hall. This had been preceded on the previous ounaay py a service of deuication. W. v. Lock was President ot tne Branch for 1934. work continued until funds were exnausted on the second storey, fand then it- was necessary 10-00:- row a sum of $2,500, ona note pavaba Vy Wee late or. w. Mcuaugn- lin, to complete the second storey. wVery DIL Oi the WOrK was aone without remuneration by unemploy- ed members of tne Lrancu. Many of the fixtures were donated, the Laaies Auxiliary provided the chairs for the auditorium and the stage curtains and otner accessor- ies, and equipped tne Kiichen. 'tous OSHAWA Combining The Oshawa Times and Whishby Gazette and Chronicle 'THE DAILY TIMES-GAZETT WHITBY VCL. 10--No. 251 OSHAWA-WHITBY, FRICAY, OCTOEER 28, 1951 PAGE NINE 1951 Officers of the Oshawa Branch, Canadian Legion Legion Memorial Hall on Centre Street, the Oshawa Branch of the Canadian Legion will celebrate its 25th Anniversary, and will pay tribute to those who, down through the last quarter of a century, have guided the affairs of the branch. It is expected that a round dozen of the eighteen n.embers who have held the office of President since 1926 will be pres- held in Oshawa. It was held in Ottawa, a week prior to the meet |a aream came true, and the wegion ing of the British Empire Service [Memorial Hall became a reality League in Toronto, and tQ it came .througn the seli-sacrinice 0: iw delegates from every palit of the members, who now had a meeiing British Empire, led by Admiral Place and a well-equipped cluu of the Fleet Earl Jellicoe, Grand 'room and library. te President of the BESL. It was a! With a permanent home, work of the Legion went on apace. ent at tonight's banquet, at which the guest speaker will be Provincial President Ab. Hulse, and at which Mayor Michael Starr will be present to convey civic congratulations to the organization which has meant much in the social and service life of the community. The history of Branch No. 43 of the Legion will be reviewed by M. McIntyre Hood, who served as its president in the years 1931 to 1933. BACKGROUND OF LEGION The official act which broug the Oshawa Branch of the Cana- dian Legion into being, the signing of its charter by the Dominion President and Secretary, took place on. October. 23, 1926, just 25 years ago this week. The organ- ization of the Branch, however, took place at a meeting which was held on August 19, 1926. Prior to that time, there had been organ- izations of war veterans jn Oshawa. The Great War Veterans Associa- tion was organized towards the close of the war of 1914-1918, and for a few years carried on very successfully, and had an excep- tionally fine and active ladies auxiliary. For various reasons, however, the GWVA passed out of existence so far as the men were concerned, but the ladies of the auxiliary kept their organiza- tion intact--and carried on their activities unbroken. Just prior to the formation of the Canadian Legion in 1925, an Ex-Service Men's Social Club was formed, and it provided the nucleus from which came the beginnings of the Cana- dian Legion. The. Canadian Legion as ,k6 a national organization was formed in 1925, when Field Marshal Earl Haig visited Canada, and\ brought about an amalgamation of over 20 different veteran groups under the name of the Canadian Legion. The organization of branches all over the country at once proceed- ed, and early in the summer of 1926, steps were initiated with a view to forming a branch in Oshawa. After several preliminary meetings of an organizing com- mittee under the chairmanship of A. J. Graves, a meeting to form the Oshawa Branch was held on August 19, 1926, in a hall on Simcoe North. Johnny Graves presided over the meeting, and an official of the provincial com- mand was present to conduct the election of officers. THE FIRST OFFICERS The following was the first slate of officers of the Branch, serving in 1926-1927:- President: Col. Frank Chappell. 1st Vice-President: Dan. M. Douglas. 2nd Vice-President: J. M. Ashby. Secretary: Harry Carey. Treasurer: E. C. Hodgins. Executive: R. B, Smith, Robert W. Stuart, William Cooper, Ed Pearson and Herb Kelly. . Previous to this, application" had been made for a branch charter. At that time if was required that fifteen members sign the charter "application. The fifteen members whose names appear on the chart- er, as applicants, are as follows; Col. Frank Chappell, Dan M. Doug- las (deceased); J. Ashby, H. J. Carey (deceased; C. A. Mas- on, A. L. Bouckley, A. F. Hind (deceased) J. F. Grierson (deceas- ed) and T. K. Creighton, The new Legion Branch at once launched into a program of ser- vice and social activities for its members while the old Ladies Auxiliary became formally affil- ty jated with it One of its great difficulties. was that of lack of quarters it could call its own At various times it met in the former Welsh's Parlors now the 100F Hall over the Betty Cake Shops, in the former Conservative Club rooms over the Canadian Bank of Commerce and then in the room known as the Old Dugout, which was the upper storey of the old Market Building that then stood at the corner of Prince and Rich- against growth and expansion of the branch, but in spite of this a regular program of activities was maintained. After a year in office, Col. Frank Chappell gave way. to the late Darl M. Douglas, who was the second president, and carried on a very successful year's opera- tion. In 1928, however, trouble be- set the branch. Its active member- ship and activities dwindled, and by the end of the year there was a fear that it would have to surrender its charter. NEW LEASE OF LIFE The annual meeting of January, 1929, however, resulted in a re- onganization, with the introduction of some new blood into the organ- ization, and the branch acquired a new lease of life which has re- mained with it down to the present day. The new executive, Dalby, undertook a comprehensive membership campaign, and within a few months the membership had jumped from about 20 to over 100. By 1930, the membership was so large that it was necessary to find new quarters. The city coun- cil granted the use of the Coucil Chamber for Branch meetings, but before long there was standing- room only at the branch meetings there. Growth continued through- out 1930 and 1931 with as many as 80 members being initiated at a single meeting. In 1930, the Branch had its first member to be elected to a provincial office, M. McIntyre Hood being elected 2nd Vice- Command. By the end of 1930, the membership had grown to 'over 400, and the Oshawa Branch was regarded as one of the strongest in the province of Ontario. These were days of busy 'activity The Council Chamber proving too small for the meetings, the next move was made to Rotary Hall, which proved an ideal meeting- place until the Legion Memorial Hall was ready for use. ADJUSTMENT SERVICE There were various reasons for the rapid growth of the Legion during this period, not the least important being the establishment of an adjustment service in the branch, to handle all the claims, grievances apd problems of the war veterans in the city. Through the efforts of the Dominion Command, much new veterans' legislation had been exacted, the pensions' act extended, the war veterans allow- ance act passed, and other benefits secured. The adjustment service was able to bring the results of these new enactments to the at- tention of the war veterans and magnificent convention, one which has not been surpassed to this day. Some 700 delegates attended, and for three days engaged in import- ant discussions of veteran prob- lems. Events of note were a garden party at Parkwood as guests of Col. and Mrs. R, 8. McLaughlin, a great variety entertainment, also provided by Col. McLaughlin, and a banquet at which the delegates were guests of the city, and which was attended by Earl Jellicoe and representatives of many Empire countries, Premier Henry of Ont- ario, and a host of distinguished military and political figures. That was the high light of the greatest event in Oshawa Legion history. The coming of the depression years naturally had its effect on the Legion operations in Oshawa, but the sufferings of its unem- ployed members were mitigated to a large extent by use of the Poppy Fund, and by reason of allowances and pensions secured through its adjustment service. The member- ship was maintained at a surpris- ingly high level, in view of the conditions, and the enthusiasm of the branch was also outstanding. During these years, the need for a permanent home for the Legion was very apparent. A building fund was started, and various events held to build it up, but progress was slow. An appeal was made to the city council for a grant to purchase the site on which the Legion Memorial Hall now stands on Centre Street. The delegation which appeared before the Council was able to show that the welfare and adjustment ser- vices of the Legion had saved the city tens of thousands of dollars in relief expenditures, and the council set aside a sum of $2,000, with which the lot was purchased and handed over to the Legion BUILDING STARTED With the majority, of the mem- bers unemployed on account of the depression, the building fund grew too slowly to give hopes for the building of a hall on the site. but these members volunteered that if the materials could be pro- vided, they would do the work voluntarily and without wages, to get the hall built. A strong build- |It was now possible to hold dances and other entertainments to raise funds, and the finances of the branch, for the first time in its' 'history, began to take on a sub- stantial character. Under the pres- idency of Ben Jacklin, from 1935 | to 1937, with the recovery from the depression setting in, the branch continued 'to progress. au was a delight to have a hall of their own in which the mempers ! could have their annual Vimy ban- | quet and Armistice banquet, which | had been originated in 1929, and Held every year in the Rotary Hall until the Legion Hall was available, In 1938, the club facilities of the branch were extended, with the granting of a club authority and the social life of the members was enhanced. Soon growing pains were evident, and plans were made for an addition to the building, so as to provide the additional space needed for a club room and for a board room and kitchen. SECOND WAR SERVICE Then came the war in 1939, and | the Legion plunged into its work of war service. The branch gave in the services, and carried on a program of providing comforts for the men in the armed forces. Through the whole of the war years, the Legion was a centre of patriotic activity. Its officers joined in community efforts to pro-| vide for the families of those over- | services of adjustment and advice | for men in the forces and casual-| ties returning home. During the five years of the presidency of Wesley | R. Elliott, great strides forward were 'made. both in numbers and | financially, and in the measures | of assistance given to service men and their families. MEMBERSHIP SWELLED On the close of the war, the membership was swelled by the addition of veterans of the second world war, who quickly found their place within the ranks of the Legion, and made a great con- tribution to its progress and its activities. They took positions of responsibility in the branch, and ing committee under the chairman- ship of Arthur Tierney, prepared | plans, and a finance committee headed by M. McIntyre Hood went | to work to raise money to buy | the materials. In September, 1933, | a bold step was taken. There was $700 in the building fund, so it was decided to make a start with volunteer labor and a steam shovel donated by a member for the digg- ing of the foungation. The com- | mittee was confident that once a start was made, money for the materials would come along. They were right. . . Within a week strong support | came from Col. R. 8. McLaughlin, an honorary life member of the Legion, who guaranteed the funds for .the first storey of the hall, his contribution amounting to over $4,000. His brother, G. W. McLaugh lin, made a contribution of $2,000. Other prominent citizens donated money and materials, the branch staged a series of monster garden parties at Alexandra Park, and by one means and another, secured the funds to complete the building. OPENING NEW HALL The first storey was completed and formally opened on February 12, 1934, at a banquet, the first held in the hall, at which Jules L. Ferry of Sudbury, then provin- cial president, was the speaker and i ------ RR --------- i ---- BRANCH 43, CANADIAN LEGION (B.E.S.L.) Extends an invitation to all ex-servicemen to visit - LEGION HALL, 90 Centre Street during their Silver Anniversary Week OCTOBER 27th to NOVEMBER 3rd, inclusive F. G. GRANT, President the mixture of the enthusiasm of the younger veterans and the ex- perience of the older members proved a happy blend. Year by year, additions and improvements were made to the building, now recognized as the finest Legion home in Ontario. A splendid library room was completely equipped by Ewart McLaughlin in memory of his father, the late G. W. McLaugh- lin. Membership soared over the 1000 mark, and Legion Memorial Hall became the centre of the re- creational and social life of the members. Today, the Branch is at the zenith of its activity, with a membership that is carrying on in a splendid way the traditions of the founders of the Legion. SUPPORT FROM AUXILIARY Through all the years, the Branch has had magnificent support from its Ladies Auxiliary, which has at all times been ready and willing to do anything possible to further the cause of the Legion and its members. The Auxiliary cater for all Legion functions, takes an ac- tive part in its welfare work, and in the raising and administration of its Poppy Fund. For 25 years, the Poppy Fund has been a source of giving much- needed help to veterans in sick- ness and distress. It has, in re- cent times, enabled the Branch to provide comforts for Oshawa veterans in hospital, regardless of whether they are members of the Legion. Through the annual Poppy Day, and the grant received from Community Chest, the Poppy Fund is maintained at a level which makes it valuable in meeting em- ergency needs of veterans and their families. Through all its history, the Le- gion has been a vital factor in supporting every good cause in Oshawa. Its resources and the work of its members have been used generously in community funds, and in any call which merited at- tention. . The Legion has given / leader- ship in keeping alive the memory of the men of Oshawa who gave their lives in two world wars, Its Remembrance Day . services are annual events, It took the initiative in the task of having plaques with the names of those who gave their lives placed on the war memorial. It has, in every way, been a ser- vice organization of which the city can be proud. LOOKS TO FUTURE Today, the Oshawa Branch of the Canadian Legion 'looks over 25 years of which every member is justly proud. Today it also looks forward to greater achievements for the community it serves, and for the service men and women of this country and the widows and dependents of those who have given their lives. It looks to the future, with all its uncertainties and dif- ficulties, as presenting an even greater challenge than any which it has met successfully inthe past. The Legion's creed is based on the sacrificial service of comrades who gave their all in their country's defence. The sacrifices of its mem- bers for the organization, for all it represents in service, is based on no less high a level. When General Sir Arthur Currie was Dominion President of the Canadi- -an-Legion, he gave it the slogan | which is still its inspiration today. {That slogan is the challenge to seas, and to maintain the Legion. Sergeant-at-Arms; A. Davey. | Above are the 1951 officers of the Oshawa Branch, No. 43, Canadian Grant, President; C. Harvey, 2nd Vice-President; A. Brisebois, Secretary; splendid support to the Canadian | Legion, which is tonight celebrating its 25th anniversary at a Silver | Sid. Brcoks, Immediate Past President. fecond row, left to right--Percy Legion War Services, threw open | Jubilee Banquet. They are as follows: Front row, left to right--C. J.| Carter, J. Davies, D. Gower, R. Ireland, L. Skelton, N. Hircock, W. Reed its club rooms to all enlisted men | Wilcox, H. C. Chesebrough, W. H. Beaton, 1st Vice-President; G. Frank | ; --Times-Gazette Staff Photo. Past Presidents of the Oshawa Branch, Canadian Legion COL. FRANK CHAPPELL 1926-1927 WILLIAM J. LOCK 1934-1935 WESLEY R. ELLIOTT 1941-1946 DAN. M. DOUGLAS 1927-1928 BEN JACKLIN 1935-1937 JAMES LOVELL 1946-1948 GEORGE WALSH 1930-1931 ARTHUR TIERNEY 1938-1940 JACK BURCH ~ 1948-1949 M. McINTYRE HOOD 1931-1933 SIDNEY BROOKS 1940-1941 and 1950 FRANK G. GRANT 1951 Above are twelve of the 18 presidents of the Oshawa Branch of the in England; Jack Holt, now in the U.S.A. and Arthur Gladman, now Canadian Legion, with the years of their service. held that office and whose pictures are not available, are the late Robert W. Stuart, Harry Gay, the late Thomas J. Dalby, William Jenkins, now Others who have - living at Port Perry. It is expected that all the past presidents now living in Oshawa will be present at the Legion's 25th Anniversary banquet this evening, . every Legion member, -and the Legion passes it on to every Canad- fan who has the desire and the spirit to make this country worthy of those who died for it. 'They served till death; why not we?" WEATHER DIRECTION Apart from occasional storms, Canada's climate is dominated by general movement of the atmos: phere from west and northwest, Recent News Of Greenbank Mrs. Edna Reid of Banff and her, sister Mrs. Grey of Keene called on | friends here on Sunday then went on to Oshawa on Monday. Born to Mr. and Mrs, Jack Hood of Ajax on Sunday, Oct, 14, a son, & brether for Sharon. Congratula- tions. Mr, and Mrs, Wm, O'Neill have returned after spending the past two weeks with relatives in Port Hope. Mr. George Matthews is recover- ing atter his recent illness. About 40 attended the meeting of the Women's Association in the church basement Tuesday after- noon. Business pertaining to the coming turkey supper on November 2nd was discussed and plans made. » RECOVER BODIES i Winnipeg (CP) -- Searchers who | battled snow, wind and ice on a lake near Armstrong, Ont., yester- day recovered the bodies of two |men who drowned last Saturday: |The men -- Johnson Lindsay | Gregg, 34, of Hanley, Sask., and George Hummerson, 31, of St. Vital, Man. -- were lost when their {canoe capsized on a fishing trip on Lake of the Flats, five miles east "of Armstrong: v