DCHP-3

Royal Canadian Legion

DCHP-2 (Jul 2016)

Spelling variants:
Canadian Legion, Legion

n. — Military

an organization of Canadian ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen, founded in November 1925.

Type: 1. Origin — By the end of the First World War, several veterans' groups and regimental associations represented former Canadian service members. The different groups united in 1925 to form the Dominion Veterans' Alliance, and The Canadian Legion of the British Empire Services League was formed in November of that year. In July 1926, a Charter-issued Act of Parliament incorporated the League (see Royal Canadian Legion reference).
See also Gage-1, s.v. "Royal Canadian Legion", which is described as "a Canadian organization", ITP Nelson, s.v. "Royal Canadian Legion".
The organization was called the Canadian Legion from its foundation in 1925 until 1960, when the distinction Royal was bestowed by Queen Elizabeth II (see the 1960 quotation).

Quotations

1931
The measure will undoubtedly be gratefully received by all those who were bereaved by the Great War. On behalf of the Canadian Legion I should like to express our sincere thanks to all members of the House of Commons who responded so whole-heartedly to the representations made by the Legion, which representations were based upon resolutions from our Dominion convention.
1960
The Canadian Legion will henceforth be known as the Royal Canadian Legion, Prime Minister John Diefenbaker announced yesterday. He said Queen Elizabeth granted permission to the 240,000-member veterans' organization to add the prefix "royal" to its name. Harold Eaton, provincial secretary of the Legion in Ontario, said the organization had not asked for the privilege. "You don't ask for these things - the Queen just gives them" he said. Very Proud. "It's like a New Year's honor to us, and I'm sure most members will be very proud of the new name. I believe it is the only Legion in the Commonwealth to bear the prefix".
1978
The Ontario Human Rights Commission says there is nothing illegal about the Royal Canadian Legion's denial of membership to a British Army veteran because he is a Communist but it is trying to have discrimination on political grounds eliminated. William Thompson, 39, of Bramalea, chairman of the Communist Party of Canada (Brampton Region), earlier this month sought to join Branch 609 of the Legion in Bramalea so that he could go there with other members of the Bramalea City Soccer Club, of which he is president.
1987
In Ottawa yesterday, Governor-General Jeanne Sauve, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Arthur Stacey, president of the Royal Canadian Legion, placed wreaths at the National War Memorial during a sombre ceremony.
1997
Since the Vancouver Island Branch of the CMNA was formed in 1994, the veterans of the Merchant Navy have been included in all Remembrance Day and Battle of the Atlantic Sunday parades and wreath-laying ceremonies in Victoria and other centres up and down Vancouver Island. The Royal Canadian Legion branches on the Island and other veterans organizations, (Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans; Burma Star Association; Royal Canadian Naval Association etc.) have also given us their full support.
2000
Remembrance, mementoes and memories: A change in focus for the Royal Canadian Legion has led to increased appreciation of veterans' contributions.
2009
Meanwhile, the Royal Canadian Legion will receive $56,131 for the purchase and installation of a wheelchair lift at its new location.
2016
Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 177, 2655 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5T 3E7
The Royal Canadian Legion is an unlikely home for party-goers, but those in the know have been coming here for a long time for meat draws and cheap drinks. And on some nights at various Legion locations throughout the city, you can hop on stage and belt out “House of the Rising Sun” while tipping your hat to vets. (Seriously: don't wear your hat at any Legion location, as it's a sign of disrespect.)

References