Bob Richardson Branch #496, Royal Canadian Legion, Sydenham - 70th Anniversary Celebration

Jan 09, 2019

On January 19, 2019, Bob Richardson Branch #496 of the Royal Canadian Legion will celebrate the 70th Anniversary of its founding Charter.

The Branch is named after Private Robert Miles Richardson, a Sydenham resident born in 1874, and who joined the Canadian infantry in January 1916, making him 41 years of age at time of enlistment. Having served at both Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele with the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles, he was wounded in December 1917, and was repatriated to Canada where he lived until his death in May 1949.

While the Branch, which is located on Amelia Street in Sydenham, was granted its official Charter on January 14, 1949, the inaugural organization meeting took place in the basement of St. Paul’s Church in October of 1948, and the name change to the Bob Richardson Branch did not occur until December, 1960, the same year that the Sydenham Cenotaph was dedicated.

The current Hall was purchased in 1965, but was not officially opened until 1972; prior to that, the Branch met on the top floor of the local blacksmith shop, also located on Amelia Street.

The 70th Anniversary Celebration will take place on January 19, 2019 at 1130am in the main hall at 4361 Amelia Street, Sydenham. The event will include special presentations and awards to members and supporters of the Branch, as well as a luncheon prepared by the Ladies Auxiliary. The event is open to all Branch members, families, friends, and well-wishers. To assist with the cost of the luncheon tickets may be purchased at the Branch at a price of $10.00 per person. Please telephone (613) 376-6808 for further information, if needed.

We will Remember them…