With 90 years in Williams Lake, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 139 has seen its fair share of changes among its ranks and across the community.
Branch 139 was chartered on Sept. 6, 1934, about eight years after the nationwide veteran's organization was first incorporated. At the time, the organization was called the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Services League, before it took on the name we know today, the Royal Canadian Legion (RCL). There are 1,375 legion branches across Canada with a total of 260,000 members, making the RCL the largest veteran and community service organization in the country.
In the early days, Branch 139 met in a quonset hut on First Avenue, and only veterans or their relatives could be members of the legion. The branch’s first president was E.G. Woodland, and the legion has since gone through a series of executive members with Walt Cobb being the current president.
Under the leadership of former mayor of Williams Lake and branch president Tom Mason, Branch 139 constructed a building on Barnard Street which it still uses today. In the year 1958, legion meetings moved to the new building, which has also welcomed the local army cadet corps and Ladies’ Auxiliary over the years.
In 1948, the Ladies Auxiliary in Williams Lake received its charter. Just as many women were left to manage life at home while men fought in the World Wars, women have been foundational in managing and supporting Branch 139 over the years.
“The men alone couldn't put on a dance without help from the women,” said lifetime legion member Sandra Abbott in an interview with the Tribune. Some of the women ended up holding dual memberships, with both the auxiliary and the legion, until the Ladies’ Auxiliary relinquished its charter in 2019. Women have also held leading roles within the legion, such as Joyce Norberg, the Branch’s previous president.
Today, legion membership is open to any Canadian citizen over the age of 19, bringing Branch 139’s membership base to about 300. Legion events are often open to the public now as well. Branch 139’s restaurant and bar has specials throughout the month, including a pancake breakfast on the second Sunday of every month and a steak dinner on the last Friday of every month. It also hosts karaoke nights and keno draws as well as weekly meat draws. Branch 139 also holds an annual Children’s Christmas Party attended by Mister and Misses Clause, as well as Robbie Burns nights.
Opening up to the public helps the legion fulfill its objectives, which is to serve veterans, community and country while honouring and remembering those who served us. It does so by advocating for the care and benefits for those who have served, and recently Branch 139 donated to Pacific Assistance Dogs Society which trains assistance dogs to help people with disabilities maintain their independence. The annual poppy campaign raises donations which are entirely devoted to supporting veterans.
“Helping others, that's what it's all about,” Abott said.
Branch 139 also owns land at Felker Lake where they once held picnics with hot dogs and burgers and games. Today the legion operates a public campground at Felker Lake, with 17 sites for camping in a tent or an RV.
When asked to describe what makes Branch 139 unique, Abbott said: “It's one of the friendliest places to be.” She compared visiting the legion to having friends in your living room. “It’s that kind of familial warmth,’ she said.
“It’s an incredible feat,” Abbott said about making it to 90 years, and while times have changed, she said veterans continue to need support today.
“They gave years of service to the country and the country has to look after them, and we're part of that.”
While the World Wars may seem to be a thing of the past, their legacies live on today. In the branch there’s a large carved wooden plaque hanging on the wall with an honour roll of those in our district who served in the First and Second World Wars made by veteran C.H. Dodwell of Williams Lake.
Across Williams Lake you can find streets named in honour of those veterans, among them Cameron Street, Pigeon Avenue, Bass Road and Blair Street.
With files from Sandra Abbott, lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion.
