The Ladies Auxiliary to the Royal Canadian Legion 167 was formerly known as the Women's Auxiliary to Canadia Legion Branch 167. Mrs. Edith Treen, a veteran of the British Airforce Wilfred L. Treen, was given credit for forming the Women's Auxiliary c/o the Canadian Legion Branch 25, Vernon BC. She asked then how one went about forming an auxiliary to the Lumby Legion Branch 167. The second week in September 1944 she received a reply. She did now know they recessed for the months of June and July. Their instructions were that she contact no less than nine W.W.I. veterans wives, and when she had those who would agree to join and get together for a meeting to form the Women's Auxiliary, things whould then fall into place. She was invited to go to one or two W.A. meetings in Vernon to learn how they ran their meetings.

     Edith told Mrs. P.C. Inglis of her plans. Phyllis offered to drive her into Vernon and attend the meetings with her. They were both excited about the project and over the years became best of friends.

     The first meetings of this group of women were held in a small lean-to room on the west side of the Lumby Garage (formerly the livery barn) on Vernon Street. At that time Jogn and Sadie Major and family lived in rooms over the garage. On cool evenings Sadie would come down and light a fire in the small pot-bellied heater then put some coal on so as it would be warm when the women arrived. Mrs. Betty Chisholm was the Chairperson for these first meetings and Mrs. Paule Murphy kept notes for each meeting in a scribbler. It's a shame this scribbler was destroyed.

     The first thing decided was to get a Christmas (1944) parcel ready immediately to send to each of four Lumby soldiers serving on Active Service in France. A Christmas card was purchased for each. Mrs. Greaves and Mrs. Andre each donated two Chrismas cakes they had baked early. The rest of the women donated towards a pair of warm socks to go in each parcel. The Legion Branch was approached to make up the parcels, ready for mailing before the November deadline.

     Gradually more women joined as time passed and the W.A. received their Charter. "The Canadian Legion Charter, June 13, 1945." The names inscribed on this Charter were: Ida McAllister, Paule Murphy, Phyllis Inglis, Edith Treen, P.V. Williams, Ellen Brewer, Betty Chisholm, Alphonsine Greaves, Edna Andre, Louise Gallon, Flossie Gordon, Jenny Saunders, Annie Ward, Fanny Woods.

     1945-46 were busy times with veterans returning home, some with war brides. Cards of welcome were sent to the brides coming to live in our district. A large Whist and Cribbage Card party was held in the Lumby Community Hall. The W.A. donated $100 to the Branch towards purchasing of property for a Legion Hall. Raffles were held to raise money to send monthly donations to Kamloops to help provide comforts for veterans in the sanatorium of Tranquille. This was also a sad time as many veterans came home to Canada, to hospitals.

     The W.A. were asked to cater to Branch 167's first Zone meeting August 18, 1946. Probably held in the Ormsby Hall as W.A. member Eileen Corbett was to collect dishes, cutlery, tablecloths and glassware for the supper. The W.A. Secretary was to write to the Ration Board for extra ration coupons for butter, sugar, and meat for the Zone supper. W.A. members each donated 50 cents to but their first Union Jack flag. Branch member Percy Greaves made the flag stand for it.

     All meetings in 1947 were held in members homes and also the first one in 1948. June of 1947 all members answered one in 1948. Junce of 1947 all members answered roll-call with a tea towel. The second meeting was held on March 2 in the newly built Legion Hall. Some Branch and W.A. members brought their own folding chairs. The carpenters among the members of the Branch quickly built banquet tables and benches. The cupboards were empty but dishes, etc., were borrowed for banquets until enough money was raised to but their own kitchen equipment.

     The W.A. catered to all Legion and W.A. functions. Later when joint Branch and Auxiliary Installation Banquets were held they asked the 4-H Beef Club Leader if their club could help. They would serve the meal, clear off tables and do dishes. The Legion were, and I believe still are, sponsors of the Lumby 4-H Beef. This job helped them raise money for their club.

     The Bobbie Burns banquets, put on by the Auxiliary to Branch 167 were enjoyed by all. I believe the first was around 1950, with Malcolm McCulloch, in his kilt, piping in the haggis carried by Pete Smith. The Selkirk grace was given by Annie Ross who had a very Scottish accent. The W.A. waitresses all wore tartan shoulder scarves. It was a gala event with bagpipes, singing and dancing to Frank Leeks orchestra from Vernon.

     The W.A. soon became The Ladies Auxiliary to The Canadian Legion. Then later "The Ladies Auxiliary to The Royal Canadian Legion." The first week of November each years saw them canvassing homes selling poppies. They attend Remembrance Day, November 11 Services each year and place a wreath on the Cenotaph. They donate to BC scholarships and present local scholarships each year. Catered meals in Legion Hall for Lagion Stampede Days teas and helped decorate floats for Legion Queen candidates, had decorate floats for Legion Queen candidates, had bingo's, bazaars, etc., through the years.

     L.A. Past Presidents are as follows: 1945 Ada McAllister, 1946 Phyllis Inglis, 1947-51 Ethel Denison, 1952-53 Ida WIllems, 1954-55 Alice Pattie, 1956-58 Elizabeth Smith, 1959-60 Elizabeth Borgens, 1961-62 Phyllis Catt, 1963-64 Phyllis Inglis, 1965-66 Peggy Dovauo, 1967-68 Edith Treen, 1969-70 Firle Inglis, 1971-72 Esther Wilson, 1973 Mary Hinz, 1980-81 Clara Hornell, 1982-83 Gay Headington, 1984-85 Bernetta Tilbert, 1986 Thelma Sirr, 1987-88 Esther Wilson, 1989-90 Cathie Tillotson, 1991 Esther Wilson, 1992-94 Mary Edbom, 1995 Caroly Hobson.

     Life Members are Phyllis Catt, Margaret Derry, Mary Hinz, Gay Headington, Thora Saunders, Ida Willems and Esther Wilson.