Legion celebrates 95 years

By Jeff Helsdon

A bit of the past, along with the present, were part of the 95th anniversary celebrations for the Tillsonburg Legion on Sept. 28.

An open house was held with several guest speakers talking about the Legion.

Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman spoke of the original purpose of the Legion.

“The purpose of the Legion when it was  built was as a place for veterans that needed a place to get together and talk,” said Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman.

Tillsonburg Deputy Mayor Dave Beres, who is a Legion member, recalls when he first joined and the veterans who frequented the club room.

“They had this camaraderie we didn’t understand,” he said. “Veterans only wanted to talk to other veterans about what they experienced.”

Beres also recalled the Tillsonburg Legion’s 50th anniversary, an event held in the former tobacco auction exchange, and the 3,000 people it drew.

Legion District B Commander Jack Gemmell also spoke of the original need for veterans needing a place to talk 95 years ago. With changes over the years, associate members who were a relative of a veteran were allowed to join as well as affiliate members who didn’t have a connection to the military.

“The only thing that didn’t change was the dedication of our members,” he said. “They took care of the veterans and the community.”

Legion president Dianne Hodges spoke of the generosity of the community in supporting the Legion. She pointed to the recent repaving of the parking lot, which was needed for aesthetics and safety, and how businesses pitched in for the $125,000 cost.

The day was also the ribbon cutting of the newly revamped clubroom, which was possible due to a New Horizons grant, which Hodges gave Hardeman credit for assisting with.

Tillsonburg Branch history

Legion Branch 153 was chartered in 1929, with Dr. R.E. Weston as the first president. In the early years, the Legion met in a variety of rented facilities. Then, after the Second World War, member numbers jumped from 70 to 170 in a year. A home was purchased at 30 Lisgar Ave as the first permanent Legion building in town. It was named Varnavair, a composite of veterans, army, navy and air force, that was thought of by George Hollier Sr.

The Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary was formed in 1952. Changes in the Royal Canadian Legion membership structure in the 1960s allowed social and affiliate memberships. With the increased membership numbers, planning started for a larger facility in the current location on Durham Street. Construction started in 1969 and the building was opened in 1970.