Local auxiliary clubs have been involved in many aspects of Windsor’s history,
but recent years have brought growth and involvement for some more than
others. Is it yet another sign of the times, or will future generations carry the
service tradition into the future?
Serving
Windsor-Essex
Story and photo by Ashley Ann Mentley
Both the Royal Canadian Legion and the Rotary Club have long histories in Windsor. Their members have
seen changes in the city as well as within the makeup of their clubs at local, national and international levels.
The Royal Canadian Legion, which was officially created in 1926 as an Act of Parliament, has always been
closely tied to supporting veterans. They began by helping World War 1 servicemen who had returned to
Canada; World War 2 brought an increase in the need for support.
Keith Bremner, president of the Legion 255 in Windsor, has been a member for 40 years. “My dad was a
member and he was a veteran, so I went in under him,” he said. The Legion originally required members to
be either veterans, or have a family member that was a veteran. That is no longer the case and now anyone is
able to join. Despite that change, the legion is suffering from a significant drop in numbers.