With Remembrance Day approaching and Women's History Month as announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau draws to a close, it seemed very appropriate to include the Ladies Auxiliary among those who "Because of Her" made Chapleau a better place to live for everyone.
Founded in 1935 with Mrs. Mabel Way-White as its first president, the members had family members who served in World War I or World War II, or both -- and some members had themselves served in the armed forces. Other members included those who had family members who served in Canada's armed forces in Korea, and other places after the two world wars.
By 2000 however, the ladies auxiliary ceased to function as a separate entity. When Michael McMullen and I were writing "The Chapleau Boys Go To War", Bruce McCarthy, a past president of Branch Number 5 explained to us that the Chapleau branch is holding the charter but there is no Ladies Auxiliary anymore.
"It began to decline when wives and daughters became qualified for associate membership in the branch. The great majority chose to join the branch rather than the auxiliary. The auxiliary ceased to operate in 2000."
Here is a list of the presidents from 1935 to 2000, but it should be noted that several served more than one term, often after an absence from the position.
They were: Mabel Way-White, Deborah Gawley, Amy Green, Gertrude Therriault, Annie Desson, Emmie Montgomery, Hazel Robinson, Annie Collings, Josie Way-White, Agnes Freeborn, Marian Pellow, Margaret Leigh, Thelma Therriault, Olga (Ollie) Lane, Dorleen Collings, Frances Corston, Eunice Michaud, Janet McCarthy, Olive McAdam, Anne McGoldrick, Winnie Bucciarelli, Elizabeth (Betty) O'Shaughnessy.
In 1985, as the auxiliary celebrated its 50th anniversary, Mrs. Amy Green, a charter member and past president was presented with a 50-year pin by Mrs. Gloria Sandford, the Ladies Auxiliary provincial president. Mrs. Green also received a 50-year plaque from provincial command.
A Chapleau delegation, led by Harry Searle, a veteran of World War I, led the Chapleau delegation to the Winnipeg meeting in 1925 where the Canadian Legion was established. The Chapleau branch received its charter on October 6, 1926.
In her remarks, Mrs. Sandford extended congratulations on the auxiliary's "outstanding community service."
A Chapleau delegation, led by Harry Searle, a veteran of World War I, led the Chapleau delegation to the Winnipeg meeting in 1925 where the Canadian Legion was established. The Chapleau branch received its charter on October 6, 1926.
Throughout its history the members of the Ladies Auxiliary to Branch 5 did provide outstanding community service and "Because of her, and her, and her, and......" Chapleau was a better place to live for all its citizens. Lest We Forget!
Thanks to Bruce McCarthy. My email is mj.morris@live.ca
