The Mission of the Royal Canadian Legion is to:
- Serve Veterans, which includes serving military members the
RCMP and their families; and
- To promote Remembrance and to serve our communities and
our Country.
The Legion is the largest of many veteran Organizations in Canada with over 358,000 members. The Legion was founded at Winnipeg in November, 1925 as the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Services League (BESL) and incorporated in 1926.
The goals of the Legion is to provide a strong voice for veterans and advocate of pension legislation and other benefits for returned soldiers and their families.
The Second World War saw increased efforts to improve in-theatre comfort, canteens and assistance to soldiers returning to civilian life.
In 1960 the “Royal” was added to the Legion’s name with the Queen’s consent.
Today, the Legion is most closely associated with Remembrance ceremonies and the Annual Poppy Campaign during which poppy emblems are distributed to raise money for needy veterans, ex-service members and their families.
Historically, Fergus Legion – Branch 275 received its charter on May 15th 1935. The first official task of Branch 275 was to organize the “Decoration Day Service”. As a service to members the Fergus Legion began immediately offering assistance to those veterans applying for pensions.
In 1939 Branch 275 actively began recruiting members. The Legion believed there were at least 100 veterans who were not members.
The Fergus Legion also put on a special effort to have all Branch members in attendance when King George VI and his family passed through Guelph in June 1939.
The Fergus Legion Ladies Auxiliary was formed on April 28, 1942 and in June 1945 the Branch purchased the old Wansborough house on Garafraxa Street which opened on October 7th. 1945 and became the first permanent location in Fergus.
In 1947 the Branch moved to the Blakely home on St. Andrew St. W. where it was housed for the next 24 years until it relocated in 1971 to its current location at 500 Blair St. where it has remains to this day.
When I assumed command of Fergus Legion – Branch 275 on June 01 2010 I set out four objectives:
a) To finalize the Branch Regulations in accordance with the new
Ontario General Bylaws which became effective March 31st. 2010
b) To increase Branch membership
c) To increase Branch revenue while at the same time reducing expenditures.
d) To improve communications in order to better serve the community
within which we live.
I am pleased to announce that the new Branch Regulations were approved and posted in the Club Room on November 15th. 2010.
It was reported at the Branch General meeting on May 18th. 2011 that the membership is back over 500 which it has not been for some period of time.
In regard to increasing revenue and reducing Branch expenditures a Finance Committee was established in July of 2010 and after a series of meetings concrete steps are now being taken to put the Branch on a much improved financial track.
Finally, I am proud to report the vastly improved communications with the community and the organizations we serve through the efforts of our Branch “Public Relations Officer” and all of the members of the current Executive.
I encourage all members of the community to become involved with Fergus Legion – Branch 275 by either volunteering for Branch initiatives and activities or considering membership.
It is only through your efforts that the Fergus Legion will remain a viable community resource.
Yours truly,
R.E. Pearse, President, Fergus Legion – Branch 275
