The history of the Tobermory Legion in many ways is the history of Tobermory itself. The Legion acted not only as an advocate of Veterans’ rights and interests, but also provided a hub for community activities and a vehicle for providing assistance for citizens in need. The Ladies’ Auxiliary has stood shoulder to shoulder with the Legion throughout the years providing economic assistance and volunteering countless hours in organizing community events and comforts such as funeral lunches.

    On June 25th, 1919, it was decided to organize a local branch of the Great War Veterans’ Association. The first president was Martin Hopkins. The fee for membership was a total of $2.00 a year!

    On July 21st of that year a request was made for this association to be given a charter. The original meetings were held in members’ homes as well as the Orange Hall and the library.

    In July of 1937 it was decided to form a Branch of the Canadian Legion to be called the Tobermory Post.

    The first officers were as follows:
President A.S. Martin
1st Vice-President C.R. Golden
2nd Vice-President Hugh Rumley
Secretary Treasurer T.A. Golden

    At this time this organization was called the Tobermory Veterans’ League and subsequently the Tobermory Legion, Branch 290 of the Canadian Legion. In November of 1938 the Branch held discussions about acquiring a Canadian Legion Cemetary plot in Dunk’s Bay Cemetary, where it is today.

    Meetings were still being held in members’ homes, primarily in the Belrose “sun room.”

    Regarding first war Veterans, there were 37 local boys serving with 6 paying the ultimate sacrifice. (details on Veterans’ page)

    In July of 1939 the Branch drafted the first General By Laws making it official that the Tobermory Branch be designated as “The Tobermory Branch, number 290 Ontario Command of the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League”. The purpose of the Branch was to carry out activities in connection with the welfare of ex-service men and woman, and with social and comradeship life of the Branch, and for prosecuting the aims and objectives of the Legion and the Ontario Provincial Command.

    The Branch had a social committee established and held card parties and dances which provided funds for the Branch. In March of 1940 the wives of members were approached about forming a Womens’ Auxiliary but they declined saying they were willing to assist the Branch with social functions but did not wish to take out a charter. It wasn’t till 1946 that the L.A. received their charter, the first president being Evelyn Young. Like the Legion, the first meetings were held in members’ homes. The first members were wives of Veterans. From its inception the L.A. worked in tandem with the Legion, supporting it at every turn as it does to this day.

    In December of 1941 a letter was sent by the secretary of the Branch, Weir Grieve, to Provincial Command stating the Branch was unable to find sufficient officers to carry on and wanted the Branch to be considered dormant for the duration of the war. The provincial body requested the Branch continue being active if only in a limited capacity for the duration of the Second World War. As the vets returned regular meetings resumed being held, mostly at the Community Hall. Throughout the war the Branch had assisted the vets with comforts and cigarettes (a major priority at that time!)

    The local Veterans serving in the 2nd world war were 94, with 2 killed in action. (details on Veterans’ page)

    In March of 1946 a special meeting was held at the home of Comrade Peacock regarding plans for erecting a Legion hall in Tobermory and construction was initiated that same year. For $1.00 the present property was transferred from Thomas Albert Golden to the Tobermory Branch. The main construction was done by local volunteers. Some of the lumber was hauled from Tecumseh Bay on Cove Island.

    The official opening was not until May of 1950. The maintenance of the new hall was done on a volunteer basis with members taking on caretaker duties.

    The Legion was an advocate for making sure civil service positions were given to returning vets, and many angry letters were fired off to M.P.s if this policy was not followed. Local vets were thus hired in positions such as lighthouse keepers.

    After the war the Legion began making more donations to charitable organizations and took more of a role in local activities such as hosting childrens’ parties for local school children and organizing literary contests. Fish dinners, Shore dinners and dances were held on a regular basis. Scrap drives were also organized as a source of income periodically during this time and of note the Legion was allowed to salvage the “John and Alec” and use the salvaged material as a source of income. More amenities began to be purchased for the hall such as a P.A. system, bingo equipment etc. and the monies generated by the Social Committee helped to provide funds for charitable organizations and Veterans’ needs. The hall also became utilized by other organizations such as the United Church for their “crokinole nights.”

In December of 1952, the Legion purchased the property at the rear of the Legion building from King Belrose for $112.50.

    In 1953 there were 2 locals serving in the Korean War and the Legion was active in canvassing books in the community for the Korean Book Campaign. Also that year an Air Defence Program was organized with J.W. Ransbury acting as Deputy Air Warden.

    In May of 1953 the Legion erected crosses at Dunk’s Bay for deceased Veterans. Comrade Barney Hopkins offered to make the crosses and Bill Smith offered to paint them.

    In the 50’s a Legion hockey team was organized which provided winter entertainment for much of the town!

    In 1958 it was decided the Legion would take on the responsibility of looking after caretaking duties of the Tobermory Cenotaph.

    In June of 1964 the executive looked into purchasing 2 shore lots from J.C. Munn at a cost of $500.00 as it was thought it would be a good investment and a source of collateral as from time to time the Legion had to take out small loans to cover expenses.

    The 60’s and 70’s saw many improvements to the hall and the hall became utilized more for community meetings and events such as the locale for the scout meetings.

    A well was drilled in 1972 and a water pressure system was installed. A furnace was purchased and the roof shingled and in 1976 holding tanks were installed by Bert Munn.

    In 1972 the liquor licensing board was approached to apply for the Legion Hall Clubhouse License. In 1980 a pool table, shuffleboard and juke box were purchased for the hall. Membership grew throughout the years and donations to charitable causes and citizens in need also expanded rapidly. In August of 1981, for example, there was a benefit organized for the Wipp family after losing their home and their son in a fire.

    In 1984 the addition of two wings (WWII and Korean War) to the Cenotaph was undertaken by President John Adams and the Monument Committee with a dedication taking place on September 30th, 1984.

    The 80’s and early 90’s saw many more upgrades to the Branch and more outreach to community projects such as purchasing a handrail for the senior’s building at a cost of $850.00 and providing $900.00 for uniforms and equipment for the Legion ball team and $3,000.00 was given to restore the ball diamond.

    It was decided in 1991 to form a committee to plan for the expansion of the Branch. It was decided to do a 20 by 40 expansion and redo the roof at the same time and also move the stairwell from the south to north wall. The addition was done by local contractors with members agreeing to complete the interior. The grand opening was in May of 1992. A sewer hook up came in 1993 and a new kitchen was installed with a grant from the Trillium Fund and volunteer labor as well.

    A committee was established by President Bob Chisholm to replace the crosses at Dunk’s Bay and erect a permanent monument for the vets buried at Dunk’s Bay. A Dunk’s Bay Memorial Fund was established and the formal dedication took place in June of 2001.

    In 2012 the local Cenotaph was restored and moved back to prevent weather damage in winter. A grant was received from Veterans’ Affairs and the township of Northern Bruce provided additional funding. The restored monument had a formal dedication ceremony in conjunction with the Branch hosting the District Convention and President Rick Lane presided over the ceremony which was attended by our local M.P., M.P.P., mayor and council members.

    In 2013 the Tobermory Legion proudly celebrated 75 years since inception! The Tobermory Legion and Ladies Auxiliary remains strong like the town of Tobermory itself. The Legion has been there consistently for its Veterans and community and has always been a driving force in assisting with good will projects in this our little town of Tobermory.