Red Deer Legion going strong after 100+ years

It started as just 10 veterans and two chairs — not two chairpersons, but literally two chairs, meaning eight folks sat on the floor.

And as more veterans returned home, the group blossomed.

By 1918, when the First World War ended, membership had grown to 351.

In 1919, the Red Deer group had an executive made up entirely of people who’d fought on the front lines.

That list included:

President Dr. W.G. Patterson
1st VP W.J. Botterill
2nd VP J.B. Dourand
Secretary-Treasurer Charles Sinclair
Wm Cookson
Percy M. Smith
R.W. Alcock
R.C.P. Gee
P.E. Kent
Charles Roland

Botterill was elected president of the provincial Legion command in 1920.

“There’s a comradeship that the Legion brings. Over all 100+ years, the Legion has been a place for veterans to go, meet folks, and talk of their experiences in the military,” says Ray Stuart, president, Branch #35.

“Sometimes it is emotional listening to the older veterans, and now with our younger veterans it’s more of the same.”

1950: Canadian Legion British Empire Service League building at 5028 Ross Street, Red Deer, Alberta. Also visible is Cold Storage Lockers a barber shop, and several brick buildings in the background. (Image Credit: City of Red Deer Archives | 1999-049)

Stuart, who took over the leadership in Red Deer within the last couple of years, wants the public to know you don’t need to be a veteran to become a Legion member.

In fact, roughly 1,300 of Red Deer’s 1,500 members are not veterans.

There are a lot of social activities, for one, plus members have opportunities to volunteer their time helping the Legion undertake community activities.

That particularly includes during November, when a lot is going on for Remembrance Day.

“This isn’t an old boys club, nor an old ladies club. It’s a nice atmosphere and environment to come into.”

This year, Stuart and the Red Deer Legion have hearts even heavier than usual, with the recent tragic incident that killed four and wounded many others at CFB Wainwright.

The Royal Canadian Legion announced earlier this week that it will contribute $250,000 to help the victims and their families. Red Deer and Lacombe Legion branches are each giving $10,000, which Stuart clarifies comes from the Poppy Trust Fund.

“This incident will give people the understanding that it doesn’t matter at what point in time someone is during their military career, something out of the ordinary can happen. It doesn’t always have to be during a conflict,” Stuart lamented.

1954: Members of the Royal Canadian Legion salute the reviewing stand in the march past City Hall during the Remembrance Day parade in Red Deer, Alberta. Federal Building in the background is at 4909 50/Ross Street. (Image Credit: City of Red Deer Archives | 1969-018)

“This has brought communities all around Alberta together. And there’s maybe been a realization that being a soldier isn’t as rosy as some might think. It’s a tough job, and accidents do happen.”

One of the severely wounded of the CFB Wainwright incident is Red Deer’s Private Liam Ramage.

His family will be in attendance at the Legion’s ceremony on Nov. 11 at Servus Arena. A wreath will also be laid specifically for the victims of the tragedy, many of whom continue to be in critical condition and recovery.

As for the Red Deer Legion and its storied history, which will continue to grow, its community outreach has touched many over the years.

That’s included, but not been limited to, cancer campaigns, the Salvation Army, the creation of the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra, the Golden Circle, Red Deer Gymnastics, and Red Deer Hospice.

The branch hosted the AB/NWT Command Provincial Convention in 1977, and had a membership around 2,000 by 1980.

1972: Ladies Auxiliary, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #35 in Red Deer, Alberta. (Image Credit: City of Red Deer Archives | 1986-024)

That’s when they purchased the 28,500 square foot property on Bremner Ave., which was modified in 2018, bringing in additional businesses as tenants.

To this day, Branch #35 continues important involvement with local school ceremonies, as well as the Red Deer Cadets (Army, Air and Sea), including for Vimy Ridge Day, and to mark the Battle of the Atlantic, among others.

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by Josh Hall

Red Deer Legion going strong after 100+ years

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