The Huntsville organization "Marching for Veterans" is collecting items to support Canadian troops in Latvia serving with NATO's Operation Reassurance. A collection bin is being placed in our Bracebridge branch for donations. Any donations will be picked up April 11th to be taken up to Huntsville for packaging on April 12th at Tony Clement's office. Items requested for our soldiers are: men and women's underwear, toiletries and towels, cookies and snacks, lip balm, sun screen, socks and sweats, sewing kits, letters and cards.

You don't want to miss the April General Meeting at the Legion. May is election month so April is the month you get to nominate your comrades for the Executive Committee. Please attend and add your voice to how your Legion is run. Remember that the Legion is a volunteer organization that supports the veterans (and their families) that fought for our freedom and helped make Canada the great country it is today.

Another Initiation Ceremony was held at the Legion monthly General Meeting on Thursday, March 22. Welcome George McDole to Branch 121.

The Leith family from Stisted Township held the record for most 122nd Battalion recruits. Father James and sons Wes, Hank, Len, and Jack joined. Unfortunately Hank died of pneumonia before leaving Muskoka and two other brothers died of tuberculosis before going overseas.

An Initiation Ceremony was held at the branch March 17th by Membership Chair Ken Smith with help from committee member Tom Forbes and acting as Sergeant at Arms was Ross Ball. Congratulations to newly inducted members Barry Donnely, Laura Anne Pepper, Jim Anderson and Chess McKenzie.

Are you interested in getting the personnel records for your WW1 relative? Use this link to the Library and Archives Canada. https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/personnel-records/Pages/personnel-records.aspx

Can any one recognize this couple?

Two Bracebridge residents who fought and died in the Boer War are commemorated on the Bracebridge Cenotaph. On February 18, 1900 Pte. James Findlay was the first Canadian casualty in the South African War. He was with the Royal Canadian Regiment, formally with the 35th Regiment - the Simcoe Foresters. Pte. Findlay was 27 years old. On February 27, 1900 Pte. Frederick Wasdell was killed in Paardeberg, South Africa. He was with the Royal Canadian Regiment. Pte. Wasdell was 22 years old.

In February our Branch held an Initiation Ceremony for seven members. Welcome to Robert Bobbette, Gordon Leece, Laurie Leece, Lester Johnstone, Rory Houle, Harry Brown, and Leo Comeau.

Bracebridge Cenotaph at night.

Great turnout today for the Zone E5 sports euchre tournament. Huge thank you to Gail Fyfe and Pat Mroz for the great meal. Our 1st place goes to Velma Woermann, Bev Ludlow, Kim Pearson and George Fyfe..

In March two Bracebridge WW 1 veterans died. On March 5, 1927 Pte. William Grimwood died in Christie Street Hospital in Toronto. He died of Pulmonary TB, Potts disease, and paraplegia. His death was directly related to his war service in the 13th Battalion. Pte. Grimwood is buried in the Bracebridge Cemetery. On March 23, 1917 Pte. Timothy Allen was killed in action in the Bois de Genlis, France. Pte. Allen was serving with the Royal Canadian Dragoons (Canadian Cavalry). He was 21. Pte. Allen is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial. thanks to #Tom Forbes for posting this