
A Brief History of Branch 63
In 1919, retuning veternans of World War 1 thought it would be a good idea to have some kind of club to help the returned veterans with their problems. In Smithers on August 9, 1919, an informative meeting was held with the Secretary of the Great War Veterans Association (GWVA). Provincial secretary Mr. Frinner pointed out the duties and obligations in the organization of a branch.
There were 17 members present at this meeting. On August 10, 1919, an inaugural meeting was held and 12 applications for memberships were filled out. The following were elected as officers: R. Gale, President; H.G. Smith, Vice President; A.E. Phillips, Second Vice President; W.L.M. Chapman, Secretary/Treasurer. Executive Committee members were J.H. Hetherington, N. Kilpatrick, C. Warner, and J.W. Turner.
July 10, 1919
September 1, 1919
April 8, 1920
June 1, 1924
September 23, 1924
March 2, 1927
October 26, 1927
1946
1969
1970
November 11, 1971
June 15, 1985
1993
1995
1995
November 11, 2003
Regular Branch Meetings started in both Telkwa and Smithers.
A second general meeting was held in Telkwa on Barbecue day, for the purpose of meeting the veterans of Telkwa and District. A re-election of officers was held and two members from Telkwa, comrades Harvey and Murray, were elected to the Executive Committee.
A letter was received from Provincial Command with the constitution and bylaws from the Provincial GWVA for the Telkwa GWVA to use.
A resolution was passed to accept "the offer of E. Nelson to build a building suitable for GWVA quarters according to our plans and specifications, to cost from $3,000 to $4,000".
The first minutes were recorded in the new building on Broadway Avenue. This building remained home to the Branch 63 Legion until 1964. It was then demolished and replaced by a quick-lock building on the same site. The quick-lock remained the Legion's home until it was put up for sale in 1980. Meetings were then held in the Central Park Building in 1981 and moved to Friar's Hut restaurant in March, 1982.
The last minutes of the local branch of GWVA were recorded.
The first recorded minutes after the GWVA became part of the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League (BESL).
The first Ladies Auxiliary was formed; however, they gave up their charter in the late 1950's.
The Legion hosted the first Smithers Trade Fair. This annual event was staged by the branch for four years and then another organization took it over. In more recent years, the branch has manned a food booth at the fall fair and provided meeting and celebration space for many organizations and individuals.
The Ladies Auxilary was re-established. Our Auxiliary is still going strong and has been a life-saver for Branch 63 many times over the years, helping to pay taxes and cover other major expenses. The Ladies' Catering is renowned and much sought-after for Christmas parties and other events held at the Legion.
The new Cenotaph located at Alfred Park was first used. In the early 1950's Victoria granted the Legion permission to erect a cenotaph in front of the Provincial Government Building (now Central Park Building). When it became necessary to move the cenotaph, the Dutch community volunteered to erect a new one, and the Legion obtained permission to situate it at Alfred Park.
The Legion moved to its present building on First Avenue.
A Korean plaque was added to the Cenotaph. A parade, ceremonies, and a banquet was held and attended by the Korean Consul General and other dignitaries.
As part of Canada Remembers, the town honoured the Legion's request to change the name of Alfred Park to Veterans' Peace Park. An archway was built at the entrance to the park, and the Dutch Community put in a flower plot in the shape of a heart. Tulips were planted to spell out the words "We Remember".
The Legion commissioned artist Hans Saefkow to paint the exterior of the Branch's building with a mural depicting WWI, WWII, and the Korean War.
The Smithers Legion hosted a special ceremony during which representatives of the valley's Dutch Community made formal presentations to local recipients of the "Thank You Canada" medal, an initiative of the Dutch Government to honour Canadians who helped to liberate Holland in 1944-1945.
Membership criteria has broadened recently with the passing of so many veterans, and the Legion now welcomes as a member anyone who shares its values and objectives. In the years since those very visible events, the branch has suffered some lean times but is currently financially healthy and able to donate regularly to various community groups, with a focus on seniors and veterans.
​
The local poppy fund, whose donations are restricted to ex-service personnel and their dependents, owns and maintains a scooter for use by a needy veteran or dependent as well as providing financial and other assistance, provides an annual bursary to a local high school graduate, and supports the Smithers Sea Cadets.
​
Our heartfelt thanks to the Community of the Bulkley Valley, which has always been so generous toward the poppy and wreath campaign and has shown up in amazing numbers to observe Remembrance Day ceremonies on November 11th each year. We also thank the schools that participate in the Legion's annual art and literature contests. We have seen some very thoughtful, well-rendered entries over the years, with local students winning prizes at the provincial level.
​
With your kind support, the spirit of Remembrance remains strong in the Bulkley Valley.
​