More than ninety years ago Chapleau's Royal Canadian Legion Hall was the parish house of St. John's Anglican Church built in memory of Lt. Lorne Nicholson and the others who gave their lives in the Great War

photo by Pat Purich-Russell

As Remembrance Day draws near, I was reflecting on Chapleau's Royal Canadian Legion Hall, did some research and discovered that it was built in 1919 and officially opened in 1920, but as St. John's Anglican Church Parish House.
Ninety years plus now the present Legion hall has served as a gathering place for all manner and sorts of events in the life of Chapleau. Along with St. John's Anglican Church and Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church it is one of the remaining historic landmarks although some houses are older as are the buildings housing some businesses.

In fact, there was no Legion until after a meeting in Winnipeg of World War I veterans in 1925 who established the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Services League, and the Chapleau branch came into being as Branch Number 5, Ontario in 1926. The Winnipeg meeting was attended by Chapleau delegates, including Harry Searle, after whom the branch came to be named.

Mr. Searle was honoured for his great efforts in getting benefits for veterans from World War I. He continued his work after World War II

In 1960, Queen Elizabeth II approved "Royal" to be added to the name and the branch became Harry Searle (Ontario Number 5) of the Royal Canadian Legion.

photo by Pat Purich-Russell

On November 4, 1918, just a week before World War ended, Lt. Lorne Nicholson of the First Chapleau Platoon of the 227th Battalion (Men O The North) was killed while on active service overseas. His parents, George and Charlotte Nicholson, both members of St. John's Anglican Church, decided to build a parish house. Mr. Nicholson, Chapleau's first reeve was in the lumber business while Mrs. Nicholson was one of the community's first school teachers.

The inscription on the front of the building says, "Saint John's Parish House... In memory of Lt. Lorne W. Nicholson and all those who with him voluntarily gave their lives with him in the Great War. .. Erected by his father and mother, A.D. 1919.. John 15:13."

The parish house was used by St. John's congregation until the Great Depression when it was no longer possible for them to cover the expenses associated with it. In due course, the Legion was permitted to use it for its activities, but it would appear that it assumed full ownership in the Fifties when B.W. Zufelt was reeve. Mr. Zufelt was made an honorary member of Branch 5 for his efforts in enabling the Legion to take over the hall.

However, after World War II, at the time J.M. "Jack" Shoup was branch president, he noted that the hall was being used more and some upgrades had taken place. By the 1950s, Chapleau had hired a recreation director for a time and his office was in the hall, and it was the place where many teen dances were held.

Legion members were actively involved in all aspects of community life -- and had fastball and hockey teams in highly competitive town leagues. I was always a Legion fan and likely never missed one of their ball or hockey games in years.

Until 1978 when the cenotaph was moved to the Legion Hall property, veterans would gather at the hall, and march to the cenotaph which was then located between the old Town Hall and St. John's. As I recall, the route would be along Beech Street to Lorne Street and on Pine Street to the cenotaph. Following the service, led by the Town band, the veterans would parade about town and then spend the rest of the day at social functions in the hall.

At exactly 11 a.m. (the timing has always amazed me), the Last Post was played, followed by two minutes silence then Reveille, as all remembered each in his or her own way. It marked the end of World War I historically -- the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when it officially ended.

In those days, in the afternoon, the social event was open only to veterans and Legion members, followed by an evening banquet to which spouses and some others were invited.

According to a list published in The Chapleau Sentinel in 1995, 28 Chapleau citizens lost their lives while serving in Canada's forces in World War I and 30 in World War II. They shall grow not old. Lest we forget. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Photos by Pat Purich-Russell of Chapleau Remembrance Day 2003