Legion celebrating centennial on June 6

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

The local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion is marking the centennial of its parent organization on June 6 as part of Doors Open Oxford.

“During this open house, we’re opening up the Legion, letting everybody within the town and the area in, showing them what the Legion is all about,” said President Tom Brown. “We’re going to have displays, telling what goes on with veterans, what goes on with our sports programs – our golf, our snooker, our cards, our darts.”

He elaborated further on the sports programs, explaining competitors in golf, snooker, cards, or darts can compete beyond the branch, at the zone, district, provincial, and national levels.

There will also be displays to show all the things the Legion does in the community, such as supporting veterans, local minor sports teams, and youth groups. A membership table will also be set up. The two entities within the Legion – the Ladies’ Auxiliary and Royal Canadian Air Cadets – will also have displays at the event.

“We want to ensure the general public knows about the stuff the Legion does,” Brown said.

The local branch celebrated its 95th in 2024, meaning the Royal Canadian Legion was young when the Tillsonburg branch was chartered.

Following the First World War, the Great War Veterans’ Association was formed and organized Armistice Day ceremonies on Nov. 11. Other veteran groups were also formed, and all united to form the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League in 1925. The group was incorporated on July 17, 1926. The name was gradually changed from 1959 to 1961, first dropping “British Empire” from the name in 1959, and then adding “Royal” with Queen Elizabeth’s consent.