Celebrating 125 Years: A history of the Maple Leaf Chapter IODE in Goderich

Sandra Brown, 1st Vice Regent, in the celebratory sash.

Founded by a woman, before women could vote, the IODE was founded in 1901 by Margaret Polson Murray. This club is older than its male counterparts, the Lions Club and Rotary Club.

It was a revolutionary idea to create a service club during this time.

Initially, IODE’s endeavours were to promote patriotism and assist veterans and their families during the Boer War in South Africa.

In Goderich, five IODE chapters were formed in 1901.

Some were junior chapters, which included young girls and some boys too.

The Ahmeek Chapter was the mother chapter of the Maple Leaf Chapter, as many members were the daughters of the senior chapter.

Now, 125 years later, the Maple Leaf Chapter is still impactful and supporting Goderich and the surrounding communities.

Initially, the earliest goal of all the chapters was to promote a hospital scheme, to treat community members with much-needed medical care.

Tuberculosis was a major concern in the early 1900s, as was the Spanish Flu Pandemic, and so, tireless fundraising efforts were employed, raising money at garden parties, plays and bake sales to meet this demand.

IODE purchased the property, a larger and older house, at the corner of Britannia and South Streets. This is where the first Alexandra Hospital, as it was known at the time, came to reside.

The hospital, named after Queen Alexandra, opened its doors on December 1, 1905 – the Queen’s birthday.

As Goderich grew, the need for a larger hospital did too.

In 1912, the property known as ‘The Maples’ was purchased by the IODE Ahmeek Chapter for $500. Since then, Alexandra Marine and General Hospital (AMGH) has been located on this same site.

During both world wars, the IODE Maple Leaf Chapter was very busy.

Across the country, chapters contributed to memorial funds to help support children of killed or disabled veterans.

In fact, over $12 million was raised nationally by IODE during the war years to purchase hospitals, hospital ships, ambulances, and bomber and fighter aircraft.

Bandages made from clean, used sheets, hand-knitted socks, vests, blankets, gloves and of course, the very coveted gift of cigarettes, were provided by chapters, including the Maple Leaf Chapter in Goderich.

These provisions, known as field comforts, were transported to Canadian service personnel abroad.

During the war years, there were three Royal Canadian Airforce training schools in Huron County, located in Goderich, Clinton and Port Albert during the Second World War.

Local farmers sold their properties to accommodate His Majesty’s Service.

To provide an idea of the size of these training locations, 1,200 servicemen were trained at the base in Port Albert.

Flying was taught off the bluffs at Sky Harbour because the drafts and air currents were very similar to those off the white cliffs of Dover in England.

Regular bus routes and times were made available, running to and from Goderich every half hour to provide the servicemen with much needed reprieves in town.

The Ahmeek and Maple Leaf Chapters provided sandwiches and coffee for the Saturday night dances at the MacKay Centre. Admission was 35 cents for an all-you-can-eat/drink lunch served promptly at 11 p.m. so the servicemen could return to their respective bases by their midnight curfew.

Needless to say, a few marriages were the result of these social events.

During the war years, IODE’s primary focus was on supporting the troops, whether they were serving abroad or here at home.

Today, the IODE continues to honour and provide support to the families of deployed Canadian Forces members through Military Family Resources Centres.

In 1947, the Maple Leaf Chapter changed from being a junior chapter into a fully fledged primary chapter.

Josie Saunders was the Regent, while Madeline Edward, mother-in-law of Lynn Edward, was the last surviving charter member. Madeline passed away in 2010 at the age of 96.

Historical records of its first 50 years are very minimal, as all records were stored in the courthouse and in the 1950s, there was a devastating fire that destroyed not only the courthouse but all the records therein.

With a success story that has spanned 125 years, the Maple Leaf Chapter in Goderich is the oldest and largest chapters in Canada.

As in the beginning, we remain faithful to our mission of improving the life of children, youth and those in need through educational assistance, social services and citizenship programs.

We are women, dedicated to a better Canada.

Penny Murray is the Maple Leaf Chapter Regent