 |
|
Welcome to Royal Canadian Legion General Chris Vokes Branch 486
Mission Statement
Our Mission is first to help our veterans, who gave us our freedom. We provide assistance to their families and our community. Our Legion branch is a place for friendship and social gatherings, free from prejudices, discrimination and bias. The branch strives to keep our Legion healthy and vibrant, both financially and socially and to provide an environment where new members are always welcome. We Will Remember Them.
Royal Canadian Legion
The Royal Canadian Legion’s history dates back to 1925. About this time there were many Veterans organisations in Canada, each with common goals, but with fragmented, and largely unsuccessful, results.
Following a call for unity by the Dominion Veterans Alliance, The Canadian Legion of the British Empire Services League, was formed, with the goal of providing a strong voice for Veterans, and to provide advice to the Government on Veteran’s needs.
Over the passage of time, the Legion has been an advocate of, and strong lobbyist for, Veterans assistance, pensions and other benefits, that include treatments, appeals and insurance, for serving Canadians and their families, and continuing aftercare, upon leaving the service of their country. A major achievement being in 1930, with the passing of the War Veteran’s Act. This ensured assistance for men incapacitated in the service of their country.
The outset of the Second World War, saw the Legion directing efforts to in-theatre comfort, including canteens, entertainment and, ultimately, rehabilitation into ‘normal’ life. The Legion was also proactive in, from the very outset, preparing for the return of troops with financial compensation, clothing allowances, pensions, medical treatment, training and resettlement. It is this nationwide network of professional and volunteer assistance that persists to this day.
This support to Canada’s armed forces, continued through subsequent wars and actions, with the Legion becoming increasingly involved within the community.
In 1960, the Legion’s action’s, efforts and position in the community, was recognised and rewarded by the Crown, through the Royal Charter. This granted the Legion the right to include the word ‘Royal’ in its title, in perpetuity.
Recent history has seen the New Veteran’s Charter, highlighting the increasing complexity of claims, and the Legion’s continuing efforts to help those that serve Canada under arms, their families and dependants.
The Royal Canadian Legion in Bronte, is a prime example and advocate of everything the Legion is about, actively and vigorously working to provide our homecoming Veterans with the help and assistance that they rightfully deserve, having staked their lives in defence of their country. We are proud to count amongst our membership, not only ex-service personnel from all wars and actions since the Legions inception, but also both serving and recently retired members of our Country’s armed forces.
Bronte Branch was originally formed in April 1948, by a group of 15 men, as part of the Trafalgar Township. On 31st anniversary of D-Day, 6th June 1975, the Branch was renamed General Chris Vokes Branch, in honour of Brigadier Chris Vokes, who served in the Italian Campaign of WWII.
Bronte Legion actively commemorates, every year, major campaigns of the World Wars where Canadians saw active service. Parades and services are held annually, in commemoration of Vimy Ridge, D-Day and, of course, Remembrance Day. Our parades are very well supported and attended by the local community, and organisations within it. Included in these are the Cadet organisations that provide our parades with, not only Canada’s future defenders, but also the Bands that are a central part of these parades.
Bronte Legion, Branch 486, has often been referred to as ‘The Friendliest Branch’, an affectation that the members keenly seek to endure. Most every event on the calendar is marked through an event of some kind, be it a Valentines Dinner, Spring Fling, Halloween Ball or Christmas Dinner. Add to this the events that occur every week - $3.50 Sundays, Darts, Snooker, Pool, Euchre, Karaoke Fridays, and a grand meat draw every Saturday.
Bronte Branch of The Royal Canadian Legion, is situated on the corner of Jones and Marine Drive a mere block from Bronte Harbour. Come and visit us here, visitors and new members are always welcome, come and see what we can offer you and, in doing so, find out what you can offer us.
Following a call for unity by the Dominion Veterans Alliance, The Canadian Legion of the British Empire Services League, was formed, with the goal of providing a strong voice for Veterans, and to provide advice to the Government on Veteran’s needs.
Over the passage of time, the Legion has been an advocate of, and strong lobbyist for, Veterans assistance, pensions and other benefits, that include treatments, appeals and insurance, for serving Canadians and their families, and continuing aftercare, upon leaving the service of their country. A major achievement being in 1930, with the passing of the War Veteran’s Act. This ensured assistance for men incapacitated in the service of their country.
The outset of the Second World War, saw the Legion directing efforts to in-theatre comfort, including canteens, entertainment and, ultimately, rehabilitation into ‘normal’ life. The Legion was also proactive in, from the very outset, preparing for the return of troops with financial compensation, clothing allowances, pensions, medical treatment, training and resettlement. It is this nationwide network of professional and volunteer assistance that persists to this day.
This support to Canada’s armed forces, continued through subsequent wars and actions, with the Legion becoming increasingly involved within the community.
In 1960, the Legion’s action’s, efforts and position in the community, was recognised and rewarded by the Crown, through the Royal Charter. This granted the Legion the right to include the word ‘Royal’ in its title, in perpetuity.
Recent history has seen the New Veteran’s Charter, highlighting the increasing complexity of claims, and the Legion’s continuing efforts to help those that serve Canada under arms, their families and dependants.
The Royal Canadian Legion in Bronte, is a prime example and advocate of everything the Legion is about, actively and vigorously working to provide our homecoming Veterans with the help and assistance that they rightfully deserve, having staked their lives in defence of their country. We are proud to count amongst our membership, not only ex-service personnel from all wars and actions since the Legions inception, but also both serving and recently retired members of our Country’s armed forces.
Bronte Branch was originally formed in April 1948, by a group of 15 men, as part of the Trafalgar Township. On 31st anniversary of D-Day, 6th June 1975, the Branch was renamed General Chris Vokes Branch, in honour of Brigadier Chris Vokes, who served in the Italian Campaign of WWII.
Bronte Legion actively commemorates, every year, major campaigns of the World Wars where Canadians saw active service. Parades and services are held annually, in commemoration of Vimy Ridge, D-Day and, of course, Remembrance Day. Our parades are very well supported and attended by the local community, and organisations within it. Included in these are the Cadet organisations that provide our parades with, not only Canada’s future defenders, but also the Bands that are a central part of these parades.
Bronte Legion, Branch 486, has often been referred to as ‘The Friendliest Branch’, an affectation that the members keenly seek to endure. Most every event on the calendar is marked through an event of some kind, be it a Valentines Dinner, Spring Fling, Halloween Ball or Christmas Dinner. Add to this the events that occur every week - $3.50 Sundays, Darts, Snooker, Pool, Euchre, Karaoke Fridays, and a grand meat draw every Saturday.
Bronte Branch of The Royal Canadian Legion, is situated on the corner of Jones and Marine Drive a mere block from Bronte Harbour. Come and visit us here, visitors and new members are always welcome, come and see what we can offer you and, in doing so, find out what you can offer us.
