Now in its 65th year of operation, the local Legion continues to welcomes new members says long time Branch 210 president Wilma Rowbottom who has held the position for a dozen years. It’s a place that in recent years, has begun to attract younger members, “those in their 30’s and 40’s” said Wilma recently, adding that it is good to have them as they bring new ideas and new blood to the organization. Recently a Legion sponsored Halloween Scavenger Hunt was held, with 5 teams participating, including many of the younger members. Membership sits at around 285 including some who live in other areas and although all are not active members, those that are, are an enthusiastic bunch.
The history of the local Legion branch began prior to September 6, 1946 when the organization received it’s charter. The original fifteen members and included Reg Pilcher, Col. J. H. Boyd, Lyle Sumner, Bob Unwin and John F. T. Saywell (then LC High School principal) who was instrumental in forming the Lake Cowichan and district Canadian Legion Branch.
A veteran of the World War 1 Battle of Passchendaele, Saywell had been elected chairman of the working committee in 1945. With a small executive to assist him the group worked with Legion’s Provincial Command to overcome obstacles, (such as guaranteed membership and permission from Cowichan Branch #53 to form another branch in the area) before temporary approval was approved. For the next several months, a membership drive and fund raising events were held to raise the necessary money for the purchase of property on which the Legion would be built.
In 1947 a couple of lots on Darnell Road were purchased from Henry Nash and J. Allen for $300 cash down. The outstanding balance of $300 was paid in monthly installments. Share certificates and bonds were sold up until 1952. Some owners of the shares donated them back to the organization while a loan from the local TD bank was secured in the amount of $2,400. The new Legion “hut”, as it was called, opened in 1953 with the right to serve “beer only” granted in August 1954.
A glass of beer could be bought at ten cents a glass with bottled beer going for thirty cents, including a penny tax. By
1958, the membership had paid off the mortgage and additional property was purchased the following year. Total indebtedness was achieved in 1966 and celebrated by the burning of the cancelled notes.
Eventually the organization obtained more property, including the lot that bordered the Highway Maintenance yard on North Shore Road (today the site of the ‘new’ LC fire hall).
Some of the good works the organization supports today include helping to fund seventeen scholarships that are awarded annually to worthy students attending schools within the Legion zone. The branch supports sea, air and ground cadets and promotes Remembrance Day contests each year at all area schools. It would be amiss to not mention the annual Poppy Drive and local Remembrance Day ceremonies, which are held at the Cenotaph each November 11th. Hats off to the dedicated members (of all ages) who continue to support and uphold the values of the time honoured organization, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #210, Lake Cowichan.
