HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1980-04-23, Page 37T-A Legion Special, April 23, 1980
Page 5
HONOR "MR. POPPY" — Charter member Comrade Fred Wells became affectionately
known as "Mr. Poppy" in Exeter and received G Certificate of Merit in 1956 for his dedica-
tion to the task of selling poppies, Shown above at the presentation are President Reg.
McDonald, Mr. Wells, R.E. Pooley and Zone Commander Herm Younge of Kincardine.
DISPLAY COLOURS — Several area men served in Huron's 161st Battalion and the
Colours were displayed in this ceremony in the Goderich court house chapel. From the left
are: Geor3ge Inglis, Rev. George Anderson, R.E. Pooley and Jack Cornish. Comrades Inglis
and Cornish served in the Batallion.
The contribution to our community by the
members of the R.E. Pooley Branch 167,
Royal Canadian Legion, Exeter is one that
deserves recognition. We appreciate your
efforts over the past 50 years and we know
you will continue to be an effective
organization in the, future.
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New building is erected
Continued from page 4
members from the Hensall
and its surrounding area
were giving serious con-
sideration to the formation of
its own branch in Hensall. It
would appear that these
members held their last
meeting in Exeter in June of
that year, and with the
formation of the Hensall
branch, Exeter lost a
number of devpted and
valued members.
The branch now turned its
thought towards more
suitable quarters. For the
past three to four years it
had rented the old Opera
House in which to hold its
Saturday night dances,
however, it was becoming
quite evident that this was
not a satisfactory
arrangement. A building
fund was set up, and various
pieces of, property were
.> considered for future pur-
chase. A final choice was
made and the present site
was purchased in 1949, the
site being that which the
building now stands upon.
Plans for the new struc-
ture were ordered arid in the
following year construction
was commenced. Much of
this construction was done
by the members who gave
countless hours of free
labour, 'both in the planning
and in the labour itself. To
assist the...branch with its
project the Town of Exeter
and the Townships were
again most generous• with
donations.
The original two storey
structure measured 90'-'by
40', and when completed in
1951 its estimated value was
set at $50,000. Shortly
thereafter consideration was
given to enlarging this
building, and an addition _ .
measuring 72' by 32' was
added in 1956, It lengthened
the auditorium, provided a
ladies kitchen, and much
needed storage space on the
upper level, and a mixed
lounge and Ladies Auxiliary
Room on the lower. While
there have been numerous
alterations and renovations,
and with.the exception of a
further small addition in
1973, internally, the present
"T" shaped structure has
remained basically the same
since that time, The building
covers 6,768 square feet and
is heated electrically, and
the parking area provides
space for approximately 50
vehicles. Although there is
reference elsewhere, it
should be mentioned here,
that within the building there
.is a room dedicated, to one of
the branches former Life
Member.
As may well be expected,
the branch in 1951 had a
considerable mortgage on
the building, and to raise
funds, raffles - bingos and
dances again became its
main source of revenue.
Monster bingos were held
with prizes ranging from one
thousand dollari to an
automobile, and on one
occasion two automobiles
were given. Funds raised in
this manner greatly reduced
the mortgage, and after the
installation of officers on
December 27th 1969 the
mortgage on the building
was burned. It should also be
noted that because of work in
the community, the Town
council. for many years
levied no taxes upon the
Legion Hall.
1951 was also another
milestone in branch history.
On September the 15th
members wives held a•
meeting and decided to form
an auxiliary. Qn October
19th they held their official
meeting, and with the
election of officers the
Ladies Auxiliary beCame an
integral part of the branch,
Since its formation the
Ladies Auxiliary has given
loyal and invaluable support
to the branch, and has raised
many thousands of dollars
not only for its own work, but
also. in support of its parent
member. In this, tributes
paid to these ladies can
never be too high.
In reviewing the fifties it is
most apparent that the
enthusiasm generated in the
building of the hall continued
throughout the decade.
Exeter,and surrounding area'
was growing, and the branch'
supported other
organizations in making the
community a better place in
which to live.
In 1953 it helped to raise
funds towards the in-
stallation of a tap rock floor
at the arena, andat the same
time formed its pipe band. In
1958 it furnished a room at
the nurses residence at the
South Huron Hospital, and
commenced to raise funds
towards a swimming pool. It
was also during this period
that it became more in-
volved in its youth program,
and actively sponsored
minor hockey in the winter
and minor ball in the sum-
mer. It assisted the Lions
with its project, the raising
of funds for its Scout Hall,
while at the same time
supporting the ,Girl Guides.
It was during this period that
Legion Saturday night
dances became the most
popular for miles around.
Attendance was always high
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