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- Royal
Canadian Legion -
Branch #17 Wellington |
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The Wellington Branch number 17 was organized in April
1946, after World War II. The purpose of the legion was to attend to the financial,
medical and social aspect of needy veterans, widows and orphans of World War I, World War
II and later the Korean War.
The local veterans were assisted by Provincial Command comrades J. S.
Walker, Roland Philipps, M. Peters and Earl Cannon in the organization of the branch at a
meeting held in Wellington hall.
Fifteen veterans were present to sign the application for a charter as follows:
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J. E. Arsenault |
C. E. Gallant |
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J. S. Perry |
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C. J. Arsenault |
F. C. Gallant |
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F. J. Thompson |
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W. J. Arsenault |
J. S. Gallant |
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J. L. Arsenault |
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J. F. A. Gallant |
J. F. Gaudet |
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E. Gallant |
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J. A. Gallant |
A. S. Murray |
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W. Gallant |
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As you come in to Royal Canadian Legion branch #17 Wellington you can see a large plaque
(center) dedicated to the chartered members of the branch. Framed on the left of it is the
original document when the branch was founded on April 4th, 1946 under the
British Empire League. The document on the right was signed when the Legion became a
Dominion on March 5, 1968. The legions have been known since that day as Royal Canadian
Legion.
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For a number of years the Wellington hall was used for the purpose of meetings and
entertainment as well as a place to raise funds for the branch. Some members in St.
Chrysostome organized bingos in their homes to assist in the setting up of a branch home.
In 1948 a small building, which had been used as a store in Urbainville,
was purchased and hauled to Wellington on Edmond L. Arsenault's property. This building
soon became too small for a growing membership. A large house on 2 acres of land was
purchased in 1952 from Edmond F. Arsenault on the Egmont Bay road known as the Peter
Gallant property. The building was renovated and was made suitable for activities such as
bingos, dances and a canteen as well as a meeting room. This home was under the care of
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony White and it served the members until 1957 when the building and part
of the land were sold to Edward Arsenault who operated a retail outlet of used car parts
and service station. |
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Home of Royal Canadian Legion branch #17
Wellington 1961-1982
Photo:
Legion Archives |
The Legion Branch then purchased a building from Conway where it was used as a community
hall. This building was hauled to the legion property and was accommodated into a kitchen
and lounge in the basement and a dance hall on the main floor. It was then that the Ladies
Auxiliary were organized. They would cater to banquets and weddings in order to raise
funds for the branch. Unfortunately, in 1961 this building was destroyed by fire. The
branch would then hold their meetings and fund raising activities in the Wellington hall.
Under the direction of Edmond L. Arsenault, a new branch home was constructed and was
ready for the November 11 Remembrance Day activities in the same year. In 1970 a new fire
hall was completed in Wellington; the legion branch purchased the old fire hall and used
it as an extension to the facilities of their home. The extended facilities included a
games' room, two offices, an enlarged dance hall and a kitchen. The facilities served the
community and the members until 1982. It was then decided to erect a two story building,
100 by 60 ft. of brick, cement and steel. |
Home of Royal Canadian Legion branch #17
Wellington 1982 until now
Photo:
Progressive Insights |
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The building was officially opened on August 21, 1982 by Legion Dominion Command
vice-president, Pat Watkins, assisted by First World War veteran Augustin Richard and
second World War veteran Edward T. Arsenault. The corner stone was unveiled by Hon. George
Henderson, M.P. for Egmont, assisted by Amand Gallant, son of Cyrus E. Gallant, the first
branch president. The veterans' room located on the second floor was officially opened by
Mrs. Sandra Gaudet, representing the New Horizon Program which assisted in the purchase of
the rooms' furnishings. |
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