Branch 5 of Royal Canadian Legion celebrated 60th anniversary as Henry Therriault named life member in 1986

When Branch Number  5 of the Royal Canadian Legion celebrated its 60th anniversary on October 6, 1986, it also honoured Henry Therriault, a World War II veteran, who had been active in the branch since returning to Chapleau after the war ended in 1945.

The branch members and guests attended a banquet in the Legion hall on the exact date that its charter was received in 1926. Led by Harry Searle, a World War I veteran, after whom the branch came to be named attended a convention in Winnipeg in 1925, where the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League was established.

A major highlight of the evening was the presentation of a Life Membership in the Legion to former branch president Henry Therriault. It is the highest award bestowed by the Legion, and was given to Henry for his many years of "devoted service."

The banquet was prepared by the Ladies Auxiliary and served by members of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron 852.

The opening ritual including the marching on the colours and the singing of O Canada were led by Ken Russell and Bruce McCarthy, the branch president.

The response to the Toast to the Queen was given by Henry Therriault and Conrad Tremblay.

Head table guests included provincial Legion president Bill Smith, Ladies Auxiliary president Frances Corston, Bruce and Henry and Ken Russell, who was also reeve of Chapleau.

In his remarks Mr. Smith extended congratulations to the branch for 60 years of "dedicated service" to the work of the Legion, according to a story in the Chapleau Sentinel.

Bruce McCarthy, in his comments, said he was proud of the 60 years of service given to Chapleau by the Legion. He gave special thanks to Gilbert Landry and Keith "Sonny" Chambers, both World War II veterans, for the help they provided to the branch.

Certificates of appreciation were presented to Yen Hong, Joe Serre, Harvey Turcotte, Peter Simpson, Louis Nunner and Eunice Michaud.

Frances Corston congratulated the branch and presented a cheque for $2,000 to it from the Ladies Auxiliary. A cheque for $1,000 was presented to the Salvation Army.

The Sentinel noted that there had been some concern about attendance at the banquet because it coincided with the opening day of moose hunting season, but the hall was packed.

As Remembrance Day approaches it is noteworthy that 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I in 1914 and the 75th anniversary of the start of World War II in 1945.  Lest we forget! My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Santa Claus Parade was coming to Chapleau in December 1948 sponsored by Branch No. 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion following successful play presentation

Toddy Collinson, George Collinson, John Rose

Ted Soucie was telling his Chapleau Post readers that before reading his column, leave it aside and go to Major's Cleaners and get tickets for the play being sponsored by Harry Searle Branch No. 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion.
 Ted added: "Now that you're back, I hope that you got good seats. Let me remind you that it is a full program and you had better be there early. We're starting on the button -- but if you happen to get in a little early, you'll be entertained by some good music."
 It was Chapleau, December, 1948. Having returned from World War II, the new Chapleau Legion branch members joined the World War I veterans, in becoming a central focus in Chapleau life.
 For example, the play 'Cousin Jill from Junction Hill' was sponsored by the branch and was being directed by J.M 'Jack' Shoup, a veteran of both World Wars I and II, Legion Branch president at the time, principal of Chapleau Public school and member of Chapleau township council -- in fact Mr. Shoup holds the record for the longest serving council member with 16 one year terms in the community's history.

J.M. Jack Shoup

 Major's Cleaners was operated by D.T. 'Toddy' Collinson, a World War II veteran, who in 1976 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Chapleau Legion participated in honouring George Collinson, on being a member of the branch for 50 years. His father was a World War I veteran, Chapleau's postmaster and fire chief for many years, and always active in community affairs.
 Ted moved on to sharing news about the "new room" in the Legion hall, revealing that Henry Therriault had shown it to him and had "every reason to feel proud." A successful redecoration project had been undertaken. In 1948 the branch was in the same building it is today but it was not until 1955 when B.W. 'Bubs' Zufelt was reeve that it took over ownership from the municipality.
 Henry had also dropped in to see him and requested that he "plug" a Stag and Spaghetti feed scheduled for December. "It is going to be one of our old-fashioned stags and guess who is going to make the sauce? None other than George Bucciarelli himself! Nuff said." Mr. Bucciarelli who owned a grocery store on Lorne Street south and after whom Bucciarelli's Beach is named, perhaps needless to say, was famous for his spaghetti sauce.
 In 1948, Henry Therriault, after returning home from active service in World War II, had become First vice president of the branch. Always active in the Legion and other community affairs, he served 12 terms as branch president.
 SANTA CLAUS COMING TO TOWN

 Ted noted that he had received a letter from Santa who advised that Chapleau children were "swamping' him with letters which was just fine and all would receive their card before he arrived for the Santa Claus Parade on December 11. I have some of those letters written way back in 1948 and will share them in a later column.
 The parade, another activity sponsored by the Legion, under the guidance of Wilf Simpson, World War II veteran, , was being planned although some more volunteers were needed for Santa's Military Guard of Honour. The Legion was accepting donations for the Santa Fund to help the less fortunate at Christmas.
 Wilf and his orchestra were also playing for Saturday night dances in the hall. Admission was 50 cents.
 As I wrote in my 1984 book, 'Sons of Thunder ... Apostles of Love' the World War II veterans returned home, resumed their employment, married and started to raise their families.
All of them, from World War I and World War II having experienced the bitterness of war and having lived through the Great Depression were determined to build a better community for their children.
 They became involved in local organizations, sat on the municipal council and school boards, and were active in their church. As Mr. Shoup so often said, "They had a duty to serve." And they did, in time of war and peace. This is just a glimpse of one month in the life of Harry Searle Branch No. 5 (Ontario) of the Royal Canadian Legion. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Chapleau cenotaph moved to new site beside Royal Canadian Legion Hall in 1978

In June 1978, a very moving ceremony was held to rededicate the cenotaph which had been moved from its original location beside St. John's Anglican Church, to its present site beside the Harry Searle Branch No. 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion Hall. Newcomers to Chapleau and many younger people may not know that at one time the cenotaph had another home.

 The cenotaph was located at the north end of Young Street between St. John's Anglican Church and the old Town Hall.


The ceremony conducted by branch president Henry Therriault opened with the singing of 'O Canada' and the hymn 'O God Our Help in Ages Past' by the Chapleau Community Choir. Rev. William Ivey, branch padre, then gave the scripture reading followed by the community choir singing the anthem, 'Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory.' Mr. Ivey and Rev. Carson Duquette then delivered prayers of thanksgiving.

The cenotaph was then unveiled and Mr. Ivey gave a prayer of dedication while Air Cadet Morris played Last Post and Reveille. Cenotaph guards were Ken Russell and Lou Casconette. Branch president Therriault then laid a wreath, followed by others at the foot of the cenotaph in its new location. Legion members who were on parade deposited their poppies.

Jack Boucher was responsible for moving the cenotaph.

I placed a wreath on behalf of the citizens of the Township of Chapleau.

Led by the Chapleau Town Band, Legion and Air Cadet members went on parade around town, followed by visits to the cemeteries for a dedication of the graves of veterans.