| Fact & Fantasy: A History of Tavistock & District | Organizations - Page 111-112 |
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The Royal Canadian Legion After our boys returned from the war overseas, some of them were determined to form a branch of the British Empire Service League and the Royal Canadian Legion to look after the interests of all veterans. Among the "pushers" were Lloyd Pearson. Stan Melbourne, Clair Strahm. And so it was that after the Armouries of the Oxford Rifle Platoon was closed and the Felt Factory had left, the branch was constituted on April 14, 1950, with the avowed aim of having their own Legion quarters as soon as possible. This was delayed for a time because the members helped in the financing of the Memorial Hall to the extent of $1000. Finally in 1960 the goal became a reality, but only after the last $9000 of financing was done by some ten members and friends in a joint mortgage. Their confidence in the venture and its members has been justified and a repayment annually of $100 plus interest has reduced the mortgage considerably. Some participants have been paid off in full The first officers were: Charter Night was held at the Arena on October 22, 1959 The l963 officers were: Membership is of three types: Full, Associate and honorary. The Legion conducts a fine meeting every month with opening ritual and allegiance to the Queen. They have an active social life with dart league, shuffle-board, dances, public speaking, annual Memorial Service, sponsoring of Minor sports. Etc. The hall is in great demand for public gatherings at a very nominal rental. The Tavistock Branch serves veterans from our own locality as well as from Shakespeare and Bright. In 1967 the President was Mert Cuthbertson of Bright, the secretary Percy Bender, the Treasurer Bill Matthies, and the Padre, Rev. Forrest Mosher, a navy veteran and Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church. The President in 1968 is Peter Dadswell, the other officers remaining the same. TAVISTOCK LEGION BRANCH 518 Working closely with their husbands and friends were the ladies. 18 of them as charter members. On February 23, 1956 they elected their first slate: Mrs. Connie (Ed) Vogt as president. Mrs. Barbara (Bill) Matthies as secretary and Mrs. Florence (Gord) Fuhr as treasurer. All credit is given to Sgt. Lloyd Pearson for his promotion and encouragement. Through catering and draws the ladies have raised enough funds to make a total grant of some $2000 to the Legion along with the drapes the new P.A. system and an electric floor-scrubber to keep the place clean. In addition they equipped the kitchen completely making it one of the finer catering spots in town. The executive for 1967 was President: Mrs. Helen (Stan) McDermott; Treasurer: Mrs. Marie (Cliff) Trachsel; Secretary; Mrs. Florence (Stan) Zehr, Mrs,. Delilah (Clare) Brenner succeeds Mrs. McDermott as President for 1968, the rest continue in office. |
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