The Royal Canadian Legion is Canada's largest veterans', ex-service persons' and community service organization with more than 450,000 members and 1,600 branches in Canada, the USA (20) and Germany (3).

     The Legion puts more than $350 million into our communities each year and provide services to veterans, ex-service persons, seniors, youth and numerous community-based charities.

      They do it for our veterans and those who have served in Canada's military forces, to whom we owe so much; and the fallen, to whom our debt can never be repaid. The Legion is a lot more than you might think.

     Our Legion, Branch 616, has a great history that we're proud to present here.

     Military people are accustomed to setting up quarters in the most convenient premises available and at a time and place of action. Such was the case in May of 1968 when Branch 616's representative, Ruddy Laberge (seen at right) was presented with the Branch Charter. In typical form, things got underway in what was a combination garage and tent. It was a humble beginning

     The idea for the branch came not only from local veterans but from a number of active servicemen who lived in the area.

     Branch 616 was an example of a growing trend in 1968 - something of a phenomenon. Membership in the Royal Canadian Legion was growing faster then ever before. At that time there were 1900 branches with nearly 312,000 members. One of the reasons for the increase was the growing number of community programs being conducted by the branches. Legions contributed over $10 million dollars in low rental housing, $1.5 million annually in youth programs and $250,000 for scholarships and bursaries.

     Shortly after its formation, the branch relocated to Pat Smith's house which was located at the corner of the Dunrobin Road and the Kinburn Side Road, but plans were underway to find a permanent home for 616.

     Just three years after receiving its charter, the new Legion Branch began construction on a permanent $25,000 building on an acre of land in Constance Bay.

    In the photo at left, Building and Executive Committee members pose on the site that was to eventually become their new branch quarters. Left to right: Paul Madore, Abe Vereschagin, Pat McCann, Bill Depledge, J. Rhyndress, Terry Watters, Fred Purkiss, president; Ian McCulloch and Bill Griese.

    By 1971 when the new branch opened, membership had grown to 80, ranging in age from 18 to World War I Veterans. It included business and professional people, members of the clergy and a large number of active servicemen.

    In 1971 construction of this new building was complete and the West Carleton Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion finally had a permanent home.

    While landscaping and a "wet canteen" were incomplete, the branch membership were so convinced of their success, plans were already under way for enlarging the building.

    Remembrance Day services on Sunday November 12, 1972 marked the occasion of the unveiling of the new cenotaph.

    The Cenotaph was erected by the family of Sgt. Major John Gow and was unveiled by Gow's mother and sister. Sgt. Major Gow who died of wounds suffered in Normandy, was a member of the Cameron Highlanders and the C.Pro.C.

    Taking part in the parade from St. Gabriel's Church to the Legion Hall were the Bells Corners Legion Pipe Band, the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, a Military Pipe Band and an Honour Guard from the Cameron The Almonte Sea Cadet Band and a contingent of Cubs, Scouts and Guides.
    Rev. Frank Styles of St. Paul's Church, Carp and Rev. Fred Miller of St. Michael's, Fitzroy Harbour led the prayers said at the new Cenotaph.

    The Silver Cross mother was Mrs. Arthur Pepper, whose son Flight Sgt. Arther Pepper was killed in action over Crete on October 23, 1942 at the age of 20.

    In the photo at left, Mr. Tommy Dolan lays a wreath on behalf of the L.O.L. Lodge, Dunrobin. Additional wreaths were laid by Darlene McCann from St. Gabriel's Church and on behalf of the Legion and other organizations.

    By 1972 the Legion Executive were kept busy working to pay off a mortgage while aggressively planning for the future.

    In this rare photo you will see the 72/73 Executive.

     From left to right front row - Ray Clusiau, second VP, Fred Purkis, President, and Bob Wainwright, First VP.

    Back row left to right - Bob Scott, House and Grounds, Denis Lacroix, Sergeant at arms, Abe Vereschagin, Bylaws Officer, Jim Flemming, Poppy Chairman, Ray O'Leary, Entertainment, Bill Griese, Executive Member, Ron Cain, Executive Member and Bob Johnstone, Treasurer and Public Relations Officer.

    Jack Wilson, the Bar Chairman is missing from this picture.

    May 27, 1978 saw the West Carleton Legion Br. 616 moving forward yet again as the Executive and volunteers put in a hectic week in preparation of the Grand Opening of their new addition.

    Rael Paquette, Terry Watter, District Commander Elmer West, Ralph Miller, Zone Commander Alf McPherson, Tom Argue and George Guadrey standby for the highlights of the evening - the ribbon cutting ceremony.

    Following the singing of "God Save the Queen" a welcoming speech was delivered by President Ralph Miller with Comrade Terry Watters at his side.

    This cake was the center piece of the Buffet dinner that was served after the ceremonies.

    President Elect Stan Ayliffe (photo right) was presented with a gift by Comrade Purcell who served in the Flying Brigade of Britain during World War I.

    The enthusiasm of the people in attendance brought about a spontaneous "Gong Show" with performances by Roly Paulin, Doris Said and Charlie Delahunt. This tradition continues today with the infamous "Air Bands" that are offered up after the Annual Newsy Dubroy Golf Tournament.

    No discussion of the Legion would be complete if it did not include a section on the Ladies Auxilliary. This photo, believed to be taken in 1972 include the Executive of the L.A.

     From left to right front row: Mrs. Doris Currie, First VP, Mrs. May Vereschagin, President, Mrs. Pat Heidenriech, Second VP.

    Back row left to right: Mrs. Charron Cooke, Executive Committee, Mrs. Jean Rhyndress, Sgt at Arms, Mrs. Wendy Mccomb, secretary and Mrs. Joan Crete, Executive Committee.

     Missing from the picture are Mrs. Kay Vere, Past President, Mrs. Gaye Depledge, treasurer, Mrs. Pearl Madore and Mrs. Pearl Fleming, both members of the Executive Committee.

    The Ladies Auxilliary was capable of all the pomp and ceremony that the rest of the organization was famous for as can be seen in the photo at left. They also were responsible for making significant contributions to the community.

    In the photo at right, Secretary Dorothy House, Treasurer Irene Gaudry and President Olive Jones of the Ladies Auxilliary present a cheque for $200 to Dr. Cotton of the Ottawa Cancer Society.

    The L.A. was also a great place to have fun as can be seen in this photo at right in which the famous fortune teller (L.A. member Betty Honeywell) does a reading for Martha Harvey.

    These folks made considerable contributions to our community and, while much of the money was raised telling fortunes, even more was raised through plain old hard work. In 2002, Betty Honeywell reminded us of the significant number of hours she had spent in the kitchen in an ongoing effort to raise funds.

    Public Speaking and Youth Education have always been an important part of Legion Life. In this photo, the participants of the West Carleton Public Speaking Contest included:

     front row left to right: Brad Kearley, Ja-el Mitten, winner of the junior division, Nancy Murphy, winner of the intermediate division and Kendall Acres.

     Back row from left to right are Tany Gutz, Jarrett Bacon, Teisha Gibson, Kelly Colton, Theresa Dodd, Julie Bastien and Bruce Downey. Winners went on to compete in events sponsored by both the Catholic and Public School Boards.

    June 1994 was the 50th Anniversary of D Day and it was not forgotten at Branch 616.

    The top left photo includes George St Aubin and Terry Watters holding pictures of themselves taken while they were in the service during World War II.

     At right, veterans George Gaudry and Frank Herring visited the cenotaph on the anniversary of D-Day in respect of their fallen comrades.

    George Gaudry recalls being in France on D-Day. A member of the RCAF 410 Squadron of Night Fighters. He remembers looking up into the sky and seeing hundreds of aircraft flying overhead. They began their missions between 5:30 and 6:30 a.m.

    Frank Herring (seen in the photo at left of the 80 and 81 Combined Canadian Flotilla on an invasion barge) was a member of the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve. He was part of the infamous North Atlantic Convoy that ferried supplies across the Atlantic to our allies. Herring reflects that "if we knew what there was out there, we wouldn't have joined".

    Terry Watters joined the reserve in 1938. Watters was put ashore at Beny-sur-mer. "Of course there were bodies on the beach," he said "But you couldn't let it bother you. There was nothing you could do for them." Watters went on to recall following his comrades along routes marked with red maple leafs on the road. He said "It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen!".

    Not only has the Legion contributed financially to the well being of the community, but it has worked side by side with other community groups to help make the Bay a better place.

    The photo at left was taken at the 1982 Bay Days parade and featured Betty Honeywell playing a round of Monkey Golf. The photo at right was taken in the 1984 Bay Day parade with the group showing off "the colours".

    In 1996 the Legion was recognized as West Carleton's Citizen of the Year. This award was in recognition of the many years of community support that the branch had provided. In 1995 alone, the Legion gave more than $13,000 to various West Carleton groups as well as an additional $7,000 to charitable groups such as the Canadian Cancer Society, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Rideau Veterans Home.

    In the photo at left, the then President, Sheila Dolan accepts the Citizen of the Year Plaque from West Carleton's Mayor, Dwight Eastman.

    Mayor Eastman, who nominated the branch for the award, recalled the branch's humble beginnings in 1968 at the corner of the Kinburn Side Road and the Dunrobin Road. "Since then, this branch has never looked back" he said.


    In this photo, the then President Sheila Dolan is joined by past presidents (from left) David Anderson, George Dolan, Betty Watters and Terry Watters.

    Mrs. Dolan who had only been president for three months at the time of the award, gave credit to its former presidents, including the five who were present for the occasion. "These are the people who have run the branch over the last 28 years," she told a full house at the Legion hall.

    The event raised $500 which was donated to the Rideau Veterans Home. The money will be administered by Vera Barnes whose husband is a resident. "They deserve it," Mrs. Dolan said of the residents. "They're not getting a lot of extras they deserve, and we're making sure they get them."