The history of the Royal Canadian Legions in the County of Brant

Paris Legion Branch 29

By Chris Whelan

Editor

Before we can be fully prepared for the significance of The Paris Legion Branch 29’s Centennial in 2026 I thought it would make sense to look back at the beginnings of the organization. The Royal Canadian Legion was founded in 1926 through an amalgamation of existing veterans' organizations.

It was originally designed to help veterans of the South African War and the First World War to readjust to civilian life when rampant inflation, high unemployment and economic depression had conspired to make Canada a dramatically changed society from the one they had left. Its purpose was to ensure veterans, and their dependants received fair pensions and other benefits. In 1984, the legion contributed. almost $30 million in the implementation of its service programs and activities. Branches in the Brant County area contribute a per-capita tax to the legion's provincial funds which are used to provide grants to hospitals and other organizations.

PARIS BRANCH 29

Paris Branch 29 received its charter in October 1926, and like many other branches, was composed of members of the Great War Veterans' Association. The association had its beginning in 1918 when club rooms were opened over the Gem Picture Show on Grand River Street. (currently The GEM Marketplace)

The first president was Leslie (Todd) Cook. A memorial to those who died in the First World War was unveiled and dedicated on Nov. 11, 1930. The branch moved its club rooms on several occasions until 1937 when it was given a house at 70 William St. by a prominent local lawyer, Sheldon Smoke.

The house belonged to Mr. Smoke's father, Franklin Smoke, also a lawyer and former member of parliament. Branch 29 continues to occupy the same building today. Keeping the club operating provided many challenges at times and several members recall the hat being passed around at meetings so the club could pay bills. With the commencement of the Second World War, legion members, remembering their experiences from the First World War, decided to devise ways to provide soldiers with comforts.

Members collected scrap iron, baled old newspapers and found other means to raise money so every Paris serviceman overseas was provided with 300 cigarettes a month. The objective was achieved by supplementing the scrap fund by bingo and other money-making social events. With the cessation of hostilities in 1945, a decision was made to enhance the existing memorial with the addition of two pylons in honour of those who failed to return from the conflict. It was unveiled Nov. 11, 1947, by two Silver Cross Mothers, Mrs. Robert Mason and Mrs. Margaret Davis.

With the returning servicemen, membership in the branch increased and more space in the legion building was required. A mortgage was obtained, and a new wing was built. The branch held a mortgage burning in 1955. As with other branches, Branch 29 has contributed to many worthwhile projects. The branch marked its golden anniversary on Oct. 7, 1976. Major outside renovations and a facelift of the building took place in 1984 with interior renovations and painting taking place in 1985. (LEGION Branch 29 ladies' auxiliary was formed in 1934 and through the years has helped contribute to the welfare of legion members. Its first president was Mrs. C. Buckley. The auxiliary originated with 14 members. The figure rose to a high of 82 in 1951 before dwindling to a membership of just 37, including six life members in 1985. Today the auxiliary is 185 strong and 303 members in total.

SOUTH BRANT BRANCH 463

Branch 463 was formed in 1947 with Hugh Robinson its first president. It originated from a meeting arranged by the Mount Pleasant War Services Club whose members' primary purpose was morale boosting of servicemen from the Mount Pleasant area. Following the end of hostilities, several "welcome home" events were sponsored, and these generated the idea of a local Canadian Legion branch being formed. Its first major project was the purchase of a building from the Burford Fair Board for $150 to be used as a club house.

The building was dismantled and moved to the property of a club member, Keron McPherson. In 1953, the club purchased the Octagon House in Mount Pleasant for $4,000. During the next 10 years, the building was renovated several times but eventually was found inadequate for the club's purposes. Members decided to build a new facility which was opened on a plot of land in Oakland Township, three, miles south of Mount Pleasant. The building was expanded in 1969 and again in 1972 and is still the home of the club.

The branch held a mortgage burning in October 1982. Originally the branch was known as the Mount Pleasant Branch, but the name was changed in 1961 to South Brant Legion which it uses today. The ladies of the branch were always considered an important factor and in 1964 they were granted permission to form a ladies' auxiliary. 

Burford-Cathcart-Harley LEGION BRANCH 543 

Burford Legion received its charter in 1951. It started with 30 members. The branch got its start when veterans wanted a place to get together. A club house built by the legion was turned over to Burford Fairgrounds and now is rented for a dollar a year.

Branch 543 supports minor baseball, hockey, youth education and programs for seniors. A ladies' auxiliary was formed in January 1974 with 25 charter members. First president was Erma Verplanke. Money raised by members goes to help the branch, provincial bursaries and community projects.

ST. GEORGE LEGION BRANCH 605

The St. George District Branch 605 is the youngest legion branch in the area. It was formed with a nucleus of 14 members with its charter granted in September 1964. First president was Rudolph Stubel.

The branch purchased the old Methodist Church in October 1964 which it used for a hall until the building was destroyed by fire three years later. By September 1968, members had moved into a new building located on the site of the original branch. Branch 605 contributes to minor sports and other community organizations. Its major contributions included funds for a cabin at Camp Branchton for the disabled and those with intellectual developmental disorder, and funds for the installation of an elevator in the seniors' housing complex in St. George.

It also was responsible for donation of an electrocardiogram unit at Paris Willett Hospital. The branch is active in youth education programs and provides bursaries for local school students. The ladies' auxiliary of the St. George legion branch received its charter in March 1971 with Helen Howell its first president. It had 34 original charter members. The auxiliary was host for the ladies' auxiliary Zone B-3 convention in May 1982. It holds a variety of events to raise funds to help the legion and for charitable causes.