Reflections on Legion Hall in Chapleau as Branch Number Five undertake major renovation program

As the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I approaches on November 11, 2018, and the centennial of Chapleau's Legion Hall nears in 2020, it is very appropriate that Branch Number Five (Ontario) of the Royal Canadian Legion is planning major renovations to one of the community's last historic public buildings.

After receiving a copy of the letter that the branch sent out to its members regarding the planned renovations, I contacted Nellie Mitchell, the branch president, for an update on the plan. Nellie replied that the branch had " good productive meeting" and it would now proceed with getting the renovationds underway.

I could not help but reflect on the amazing role the "Legion Hall" and the members of the "Legion" have played in the life and times of Chapleau since it was opened officially in 1920 as St John's Parish house.

Opening of hall 1920

After World War I, Harry Searle a veteran, led a Chapleau delegation to Winnipeg for the founding convention of the Legion, and the branch received its charter in 1926 -- Number Five in Ontario, quite an accomplishment for a small community. On a personal note I have always been proud that Harry Morris, my grandfather, a World War I veteran was part of the Chapleau delegation.

But, "the Legion", was not home to the branch in the beginning. Mr. and Mrs. G.B. Nicholson had it built in memory of their son Lorne and his friends who were killed in action during World War I. It  was the parish house of St John's Anglican Church.

The late George Evans, former teacher and assistant principal at Chapleau High School wrote in a column that "It is significant that the donors of the building did not put their names on the monumental inscription: they were content that the world remembers them as the father and mother of Lieutenant Lorne W. Nicholson."

George added that on the carved transom above the front door is an inscription. It reads: "St John's Parish House. In memory of Lt. Lorne W. Nicholson and all those who with him voluntarily gave their lives in the Great War. Erected by his father and mother A.D. 1919".

In our book, 'The Chapleau Boys Go To War' Michael McMullen and I identified a list of 283 volunteers with a Chapleau connection, not all of whom returned home. Thirty-two lost their lives.

St. John's was unable to maintain the building during the Great Depression and  in due course the municipality took it over, and Branch Five rented it, then by 1955 when B.W. 'Bubs' Zufelt was reeve, it was bought by the branch. Mr. Zufelt (who in the interests of full disclosure was my uncle) was given a life membership for his efforts.

Michael and I identified 418 enlistments with a Chapleau connection in World War II, 29 of whom, including my father Flying Officer James Morris, did not return home.

Those who returned and made their homes in Chapleau, like the World War I veterans became very active in community affairs. In 1947, when J.M. 'Jack' Shoup, who had served in World War I and II. was branch president, said they had "a duty to serve" they did in all as aspects of community life with the "Legion Hall" as their central place.

Tee Chambers, Butch Pellow, Aldee Martel 1954

As I reflected on my growing up years in Chapleau I was a fan of Legion hockey and baseball teams with mostly veterans on them. I would hardly ever miss one of their games and Garth 'Tee' Chambers, a veteran, was my personal hero and friend. 

The Legion and its members became very involved in community coaching and sponsoring teams, holding annual poster and essay contests, assisting veterans and their families in need, serving  on local boards, committees and council, providing colour parties for local events, and much much more towards making Chapleau a better place for all.

Back Baisel, Mike McMullen, Mrs Broomhead, Dave McMillan, Richard Pilon, Tim Goodwin, Front Charlie White, Ken Schroeder, Boo Hong

I also went looking for photos and decided to share one of Baisel Collings, who coached the 1954 Chapleau Bantams, posing with the team. After World War II, Baisel played on Legion teams but like many he also coached. 

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross along with three other Chapleau boys: Willard Bolduc, Donald Freeborn and Lloyd 'Sparrow' McDonald.

His citation reads: "Warrant Officer Collings has at all times displayed outstanding ability and a strong sense of duty, and he holds a fine record of achievement on the squadron. His untiring devotion to duty in moments of danger has been largely responsible for the successful completion of his crew's many sorties, and by his example of cheerful courage has maintained a very high standard of morale, not only for his crew members, but the squadron in general."

To me, Baisel's citation could have been written for any Chapleau person who served in World War I or 2, and then came home and contributed to the community. They sure followed Mr. Shoup's dictum "a duty to serve."

Not too many veterans of World War II remain now, but it is great to see that members of Branch Number Five  are carrying on the good works of those who served before, and they have undertaken major renovations to "the Legion". Congratulations and thank you.

My email is mj.morris@live.ca

'Historic Northern Ontario' Facebook Group focuses "strictly" on Northern Ontario stories, photos and memories including Chapleau

When you visit the Facebook group Historic Northern Ontario each and every day, expect new stories, photos and memories, of towns and cities of Northern Ontario, and nothing else, an introduction to the group says.

In fact it is number one in a list of know the rules, 'Strictly History of Northern Ontario and nothing else.'

Founded in 2017 I discovered it, after my cousin Michael McMullen with whom I co-authored "The Chapleau Boys Go To War" brought it to my attention.

Michael advised that Harry Mulligan a relative of ours had been featured.  Our respective grandmothers May (Mulligan) McMullen and Lil (Mulligan) Morris were related to him.

Michael explained: "Henry Patrick “Harry” Mulligan operated a high end woollen store on Main Street in North Bay. The son of Bernard Mulligan, an early North Bay pioneer, entrepreneur and clothing merchant, he ran the clothing business after his father’s death in 1921 and named his store Harry Mulligan. Harry died in 1950 and the family carried on the business for many years. For years the store was located in the Mulligan Block building, which burned down in 2002.

"There is a Chapleau connection. Bernard Martin Mulligan had four brothers that worked in Chapleau in the 1886 -1915 period: Patrick Andrew operated Murrays and Mulligan, General Merchants and was the village postmaster, Thomas Michael was an accountant and clerk at this store, John George was the Dominion Express agent and operated a restaurant, and Hugh Charles worked for the CPR as a railroad bridge engineer. Another brother,  James Edward, a bailiff in North Bay, who died suddenly in 1895, was the great grandfather of MJM and MKM."

Thanks Michael K!

Bill Pellow delivery circa 1910

I visited the closed group, applied to join, and upon approval started my journey ino historic Northern Ontario. It includes content from almost every community in Northern Ontario, and having visited, or at least passed through most of them, recognized some sites.

Hockey trips mostly took me from Chapleau as far as Hearst in one direction, and to Sault Ste Marie and Sudbury in another, and communities in between them.

I also lived in Timmins, and of course Chapleau, and attended Lakehead University in Thunder Bay.

Richard Lamoureux, one of the group administrators gave me permission to write a column about the group.

Its main goal is to "keep Northern Ontario history alive for future generations", adding that "Northern Ontario has an abundance of history," It sure has.

Historic Northern Ontario presents another opportunity for Chapleau's story to be told, joining Chapleau History and Genealogy and Chapleau High School Friends founded by Louise Tremblay and Janice Whitely respectively.

The Chapleau Public Library site first established by Hugh Kutner and continued by Doug Greig is also a great source.

I extend my congratulations to the founders of Historic Northern Ontario and hope Chapleau folks will contribute to it. I have included here some photos I contributed.

My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Banner declares 'Way to go BOB' as Staff Sgt Bob Martin completes Special Olympics Torch Run in 1991

Under "certain pressure" from his Ontario Provincial Police colleagues in the Chapleau detachment that he may be trying to avoid the annual Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics in 1991, Staff Sgt. Bob Martin agreed to run it early, and  fellow officers decided it needed special attention.

Jennifer (Swanson) David, at the time a young reporter noted that "under certain presssure from his colleagues who accused him of trying to purposefully miss the event, he agreed to do the run early" ahead of the June 11 scheduled date.

Staff Sgt. Martin was going to be on vacation on the date of the run.

"Although he wanted to complete the run with as little publicity as possible, his colleagues decided everyone should know about it."

Accordingly as Staff Sgt. Martin and fellow runner Marshall Canning ran from the Moore Arena on the 2.5 km run, they were followed by a police van with lights flashing. 

As the van passed the cemeteries on Grey Street an ambulance pulled in behind the runners with sirens and flashing lights. On arrival at the separate schools they were met by the press.

The run successfully completed, they were congratulated and posed for photos.

Colleagues from the Chapleau detachment made him a banner which said "Way to go, BOB!"

Jennifer added that although he looked somewhat flusteered by all the attention, he took it in stride and thanked everyone.

Participating in the run at Chapleau were the Ontario Provincial Police, Ministry of Natural Resources and local by-law enforcement.

In 1991 it was the 5th annual Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics which is an ongoing program of fitness, recreation and sport for people of all ages who have an intellectual disability; a cognitive delay, or a developmental disability, according to its web site.

Jennifer

Jennifer's article noted that the "ultimate goal is that all Ontarians are provided with the opportunity of participation in sport and physical activity."

On a very personal basis, I am most impressed with the program at the Cranbrook Aquatic Centre where I swim almost daily for the past few years, and on one evening a week, the Special Olympics swim program is underway. Participants enter into competitions and over the years have done exceedingly well.

Jennifer, the daughter of Bunny and the late Keith 'Buddy' Swanson of Chapleau is now senior consultant at NVision Insight Group Inc. She holds Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Journalism degrees from Carleton University in Ottawa.

Jennifer, who was communications director at the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network is the author of 'Original People. Original TV. The Launching of the Aboriginal Peoples TV Network.' She is also a member of Chapleau Cree First Nation.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

---