Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Chapleau Legion Ladies Auxiliary Honoured for "Overwhelming Community Service" on 50th Anniversary in 1985

The Ladies Auxiliary to Branch Number 5 (Ontario) of the Royal Canadian Legion in Chapleau celebrated its 50th anniversary at a banquet on June 22, 1985.

Harry Searle, a veteran of World War I, attended the founding convention of the Legion in Winnipeg in 1925, subsequently became the first president of the Chapleau branch in 1926, and later he was honoured when it was named the "Harry Searle" branch.

Mr. Searle devoted a great deal of time working to obtain proper benefits for veterans of World War I.

In 1935, the Chapleau branch of the Ladies Auxiliary was founded, and present for the occasion was Mrs. Amy Green, a charter member and past president. Mrs. Green was presented with a 50-year pin by Gloria Sandford, Ladies Auxiliary provincial president.

She also received a 50 year plaque from Legion provincial command.

Seventy members and guests attended the banquet in the Legion hall to celebrate the occasion. It had been decorated by Branch Five president Henry Therriault and members adding "distinct pomp and ceremony to a gala event", according to the Chapleau Sentinel.

The Colours were marched on after the head table guests were in place, and following the singing of the National Anthem, Dorleen Collings,  Ladies Auxiliary president,  conducted the opening ritual.

Rev. Jerry Smith, the branch padre and Rector of St. John's Anglican Church, said grace. As an aside, Rev. Smith is now the Rector at an Episcopal (Anglican) church in Nashville, Tennessee.

Mr. Therriault proposed the Toast to the Queen.

A "sumptuous banquet" was then served by the Chapleau Air Cadets. All banquets at the Legion were "sumptuous" as I recall!

Head table guests included MPP Floyd Laughren, Mr. Therriault, Mrs. Collings,  Deputy Reeve Robert McKee, Ladies Auxiliary Zone 3 Commander Agnes Barlow and Mrs. Sandford.

Mrs. Sandford extended congratulations to the Ladies Auxiliary commenting on its "overwhelming community service".

Mr. Therriault presented pins to some of the past presidents including Mrs. Green, Gertrude Therriault (Thelma Therriault accepting), Josie St. Germaine, Gladys Anderson, Thelma Therriault, Ollie Lane, Mrs. Collings, Frances Corston, Janet McCarthy (Bruce McCarthy accepting) and Olive McAdam.

The evening ended with a dance. My email is mj.morris@live.ca