Welcome to Clarenville Branch 27 of the Royal Canadian Legion blog. This is the first of what we hope will be many items of information to be posted here. In this issue we are providing a general history of the Branch.
Branch 27 was formed by a group of seventeen ex-service men from the Clarenville/Shoal Harbour area on May 4th, 1951. Minutes of that meeting are as follows:
“MINUTES OF MEETING OF EX-SERVICE OF CLARENVILLE HELD MAY 4th, 1951
FIRST MEETING OF CANADIAN LEGION CLARENVILLE BRANCH
A meeting of the Ex-Service men of Clarenville was called with a view to establishing a Branch of the Canadian Legion at Clarenville.
The meeting was called to order at 9 P.M. The following comrades were present. W.H. Adey.
H.P. Davis. B.W. Lidstone. Angus Drover. Graham Rogers. J. Loveless. H.N. Ebsary. P. Cholock.
Dr. G.B. Cross. Fred Pelley. P. Seward. S. Gardner. Norman Pelley. L. Durant. Geo. Wiseman. C. Vardy.
M. Diamond.
Comrade Adey was appointed chairman. M. Diamond. Secty.
A communication from the Provincial Secty. Of the Canadian Legion at St. John’s was read giving the unnamious (sic) approval to establish a Branch at Clarenville.
After some discussion it was decided to establish a branch at Clarenville.
The following officers being elected.
Comrade W.H. Adey. President
Comrade Norman Pelley Vice President
“ H.M. Diamond Secty.
“ A. Drover Treasurer
“ Lloyd Durant. Sgt. at Arms.
It was regularly moved and seconded that the President appoint an Executive committee of seven. The following were appointed.
Dr. G.B. Cross. S. Gardner. G. Rogers. H.P. Davis. B.W. Lidstone. H.N. Ebsary. A.L. Hynes.
The President informed the meeting that the formal dress of the Legion is blue coat, Grey trousers and blue Tam, and if required may be secured. The cost to be borne by the members themselves.
A committee will be appointed at a later date to draft up by-laws for the Branch.
The President instructed the Secty. To write a letter of thanks to Mr. A. Stanley for the use of the billard (sic) room for the evening. XXX which was free of charge.
It was regularly moved and seconded that the next meeting be called from the chair.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 10.30 P.M. with the singing of the National Anthem.
(Signed by H.M. Diamond)
Secty
From those seventeen members the Branch has grown over the years to a current membership of 84.
Membership in the Legion is open to any Canadian Citizen or Commonwealth subject who is of federal voting age and who is of good character. If you would like more information on membership please contact any member of the Legion or visit legion.ca.
The Legion is a non-profit organization which receives no financial assistance from any outside agency. Since its inception in 1926 the Legion has strived to secure adequate pensions and benefits for veterans and their dependants, dealing directly with the Federal Government through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
We have a major responsibility for the perpetuation of “REMEMBRANCE” in Canada through the Annual Poppy Campaign which begins in late October and runs until November 11th. This is done to honor the memory of the approximately 117,000 men and women who gave their lives in wars and military missions around the world. Poppy funds collected are strictly used for assistance to veterans and their families who are in need.
We support programs for seniors, our community, youth, education, sports, and Cadets, to name a few. In fact, Branch 27 has been sponsoring 567 Random Air Cadet Squadron for nearly sixty years. In some larger areas the Legion also provides housing and Long Term Care.
In keeping with our commitment of remembrance, at Branch 27 we have a collection of photographs and other memorabilia pertaining to world Wars I and II, the Korean War, and Peacekeeping. We have been concentrating on those who served in either of the foregoing and who were originally from, or settled in, this area following their service. To date we have collected approximately 250 photographs as well as several items of uniform, post cards, and stories of local heroes.
The photos and memorabilia are housed in the Heritage Room (approximately 1000 sq. ft.) and the Caribou Room (approximately 550 sq. ft.), which was named to honour the memory of those lost in the sinking of the SS Caribou on the night of the 14/15 October 1942. We are a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Museum Association.
We do not charge an admission fee for the viewing of our collection, offering it instead free of charge to any interested member of the public and to all students and teachers in our area through our Remembrance Week activities in November; admission can be arranged by contacting any Legion member. As Legionnaires we feel this project is extremely important as we continue to remember and honor our veterans.
If you have photographs or other items which you think would be suitable to add to our collection please contact any member of Branch 27 or email us at clarenvillelegion@gmail.com. Items may be placed on permanent loan or donated to the Branch.
W.T. (Bill) Meadus
Chairperson, Public Relations
