Sharbot Lake Legion 70th Anniversary

June Crawford | May 25, 2016

Congratulations to Hollowood Branch 425 on your 70th Anniversary!

On May 1st, 1946, Douglas Thompson, District "F" Commander, attended a meeting of war veterans at Sharbot Lake Community Hall to form a branch of the Canadian Legion. This meeting was arranged by one of the local veterans who had joined the Perth branch in the fall of 1945.

District Commander Thompson gave a talk on the aims and objects of the Legion, then took applications from the veterans to form a branch of the Legion. Elections were then held and the branch’s first president was Wm Meldrum; 1st Vice Bill Hawley; 2nd Vice Roly Irwin; Secretary Ken Alexander; Treasurer Len Sly, and Sgt at Arms Don Jarvis. The branch got its name from Tom Hollowood Sr., who had five sons in the army in the First World War. Two sons were later killed overseas in the Second World War. Fifteen names were picked for the Charter: Comrades Wm. Meldrum, W. Hawley, R. Irwin, K. Alexander, L. Sly, G. Crain, E. Bonner, G. Beattie, D. Reynolds, T. St. Pierre, R. Greer, A. Brash, W. Parks, W. Blakely, H. Raymo and C. Gordon. The Charter came into effect on May 29, 1946.

In 1949 it was learned that the school house at St. Georges Lake was for sale. A motion was passed at the next meeting for the then president, Com. Lyndon Bonner and the secretary, Com. Don Jarvis to attend a meeting of the local school board and see if the branch could buy the building. The building was bought and the branch held its first meeting there on Dec. 7, 1949.

In 1954 the Ladies Auxiliary was formed, the first president was Phyllis Marten; 1st Vice Ivy Bonner; 2nd Vice Elvie Jarvis; the secretary Betty Commodore and the treasurer Bessie Jarvis.

In the spring of 1958 the branch decided they had to have a hall in the village of Sharbot Lake as the school house was too far out and had no room to expand. A motion was made to see if the branch could buy a lot in the village. Com. Lyndon Bonner and Com. Don Jarvis made an agreement to purchase the Abby Brotherhood estate of eight acres for the sum of $12,000 in the fall of 1958. The school house was then sold and the money used to build a basement for their new hall.

During the next two years the branch sold building lots and put the money into the new hall. As the money came in the building was built by the members of the branch. The Legion, for its site, saved one and a half acres with 160 feet of lake frontage and with room to expand when needed.

This brief history was written by Comrade Donald Jarvis.

Today Branch 425 is involved with supporting our local community in many ways, either through donations to different events, such as the swimming program, local fireworks, etc. Branch 425 is also involved with local and home schooled children with the Remembrance Day Poster, Poems and/or Essay Contest held during our fall Poppy Campaign. The posters, poems and/or essays are put on display at the Legion for the benefit of our Veterans, Military guests, and general public to view. The Legion also hosts a seniors’ bingo and dinner in September for the local seniors during Seniors Week. A Veterans Dinner is held at the Branch for local Veterans on the 1st Saturday of November. The Legion also puts on the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Oso Hall Cenotaph followed by a lunch at the Legion. Also, there are our Friday night suppers prepared by volunteers and open to the public.

We are proud of our Legion and welcome anyone who wishes to join and or participate in any of our activities. I wish to extend a big thank you to all who have supported us, and to all our volunteers who tirelessly give of their time.

June Crawford, President.