Royal Canadian Legion Branch #155 today meets on the upper floor of the Gulley Block on Copper Street, which is also Highway 3 and also the Crowsnest Highway. The Gulley Block was one of the buildings used to house Japanese citizens during World War II. As we all know, soon after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour during WW II panic mixed with xenophobia resulted in persons of Japanese descent being forcibly relocated from coastal BC to the interior.
The Legion has been in the building since some time in the '80s and one day in 2014 a member happened to notice that the post was chartered on April 19, 1936, 78 years previous. So, though they were three years late, they celebrated their 75th anniversary in May of 2014. The local paper, the Boundary Creek Times, ran a story on the event, reproduced in part below.
Greenwood Legion celebrates 75 years
posted May 29, 2014 at 7:00 AM
The Royal Canadian Legion Greenwood and District British Columbia No. 155 Branch turned 75 years old last month and the occasion would have been totally missed if not for one member who stopped to read the charter that hangs on the wall.
There it was—dated April 19, 1936. Dominion Command of the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League granted the charter.
Current President Bob Walker said the branch covers territory from Beaverdell to Bridesville to Eholt.
Another yellowing document hangs in a frame on the same wall. It states that a number of First World War veterans were responsible getting the local Legion started.
Another yellowing document hangs in a frame on the same wall. It states that a number of First World War veterans were responsible getting the local Legion started.
“With no Legion hall, they used to meet at the Travellors Café,” reads the document as it outlines the history of the local branch.
“In the late 1950s they bought the old Gem Theatre. A lot of work was put into the old building before it could be used. A new roof had to be put on the building and in time the meetings were held in one of the small rooms upstairs.
“Bingo and dances were held to try and make money. Comrade W. Uphill was President at the time and Stan Hall was Secretary. As the membership was small, sometimes meetings were cancelled. In 1970 they sold and the meetings were held in the fire hall.
A committee was formed and a room in the Community Association was rented with … Comrade Riddle as president.
A lot of work was done to bring it up to liveable standards. All renovations were paid for by the Legion. Dances were held just about every week, also socials and the membership increased and through the years is still growing.”
From the Boundary Creek Times