LEGION HISTORY

    The Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League was founded at an historic meeting in November 1925 at Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The purpose was to constitute an association of those who served in - the Navy, Army, Air Force and any Auxiliary Force or Service. It’s objective was to provide for a strong and united comradeship among those who served to assure their rights and interests would not be forgetten and that the we1fare of their dependents wou1d always be safeguarded.

In 1958 the name British Empire Service League was changed to the British Cormnonwealth Ex-Service League.

In 1959, by Roya1 Charter the Legion was granted it’s present name –  “Roya1 Canadian Legion”.

The Legion is organized with a Dominion Headquarters located in Ottawa. Provincial Commands exist in ten regions of Canada. While they do not necessarily conform to Provincial boundaries, each Command is subdivided into Zones made up of a number of individual Branches.

Conventions are held on alternate years by Dominion and Provincial Commands. Branches may submit resolutions to Provincia1 Command.
Conventions and those that are passed are submitted to Dominion Command for disposition and action.

HISTORY OF DEBERT BRANCH #106

In Debert, Nova Scotia where there was an army base and Commonwealth Air Training Centre during WW II, some local veterans got together to form a Legion in the village.

On July 30th 1946, Debert Branch  # l06 received it’s Charter from Nova Scotia Command with the following Chartered Members: Robert Putman, Deane McCulloch, James Graham, Harris Carter, Byrce Goodwin, Elmer Adshade. Hector Hinchcliffe. Joe McNutt. Les Colborne, Gordon McCully, Arthur Totter, Harland Rector, Ronald Totten, Walter Goodwin, and Bryant Baird. 

Their first meetings were held in the old community hall, which is known to-day as the Masonic Hall.
Robert Putman was their first President and Glen Graham was the first secretary.

After a few months the members purchased a building from war assets and moved it to the site on land donated by the late Piercy Totten. The building that was purchased, was used during the war as a Dental Hospital and was located out by where the Home Hardware Warehouse is to-day.

Branch #106 was dry until 2 April, 1949 when the first Liquor License was received.

On May, 1949, Comrade Piercey Totten gave the Branch Trustees a deed for the land he had donated to place the building on, which had been purchased by Piercey in 1946.

In 1960 the building was renovated and enlarged. A new foundation was put in and water and sewer was put in place.

On Good Friday 1972 the building was destroyed by fire and most of the contents were lost.

Seeing the need to rebuild, 26 members put mortgages on their homes to get the necessary construction funds. Those members that made this sacrifice were Comrades: Harold Hart, Melvin Corbett, Ira Adams, Charles Irving, Charles McCully, Robert Hill, Floyd Kaulback, James Hanes, Willis Cavanaugh, Earl Cavanaugh, Carl Gamble, Gordon Crowe, Gordon Howe, Borden Tucker, Lloyd Taylor, Lloyd Morrison, Edward Barley, Fred Clarke, Carroll Chapman, Chipman McCully, Piercey Totten, Roy Barclay, Elmer Adshade, James Rushton, Douglas Outway and Harris Carter.

The first zone commander from Branch #106 was comrade Chipman McCully, who was elected 6, December, 1949.

On 16, June 1950, the Ladies Auxiliary received their charter from Nova Scotia command. The Ladies Auxiliary which was formed in 1950 had disbanded, for reasons not known at this time, In 1960 a new Ladies Auxiliary was established.

First Life Membership in Branch #106 was comrades Chipman McCully and Verne Millen were so honoured.

On 14 October 1960, Mrs Alice Roode of Belmont, was sworn in as the First Lady Member of Branch #106.

On 12 May, 1970, Comrade Carl Gamble was presented with the Legion's Meritorious Service Medal, the Highest award that can be earned by a Legion Member.

The new building was opened in July 1973, with a mortgage of $100,000 being paid off in less than five years.

Since then there has been many changes made. One being the addition of the "Lloyd Morrison Memorial Lounge" and the naming of the auditorium to "Flt/Sgt. Frank E. Davidson Memorial Hall”, a tribute to the only person from Debert who gave the supreme sacrifice for his country in World War II.

On April 4th 1998, Debert Branch #106 had placed in its Historical Display Case a unique Military artifact from the time of World War II in what has become known as the Debert Postal Stone. You are invited to read about it, and come to the Branch to see it. We hope that you, or someone you know, might be able to shed light on its history.

On November 11, 2007 Comreade George Cooke was presented with the Legion's Meritorious Service Medal by Zone # 10 Commander  David Andrews.
The legion continues to change and it is hoped that members of  today will keep up the good work as has been given from our past members.