It was a bittersweet time at the Southampton Legion Branch 155 on Sunday, May 25th (2025) when the Legion Ladies Auxiliary celebrated a combined 312 years of service to the Branch, with five members recognized for years of service.
While they celebrated, like many other Auxiliaries, including Port Elgin, it was also the end as they prepared to hand in their Charter at the end of May, dissolving the Auxiliary after more than 75 years (1948).
According to sources in the Auxiliary, age has become an issue. “There are basically a few senior members who keep the Auxiliary going and we are all in our eighties. We have not had any younger support for the Executive and, therefore, cannot keep on going.”
Dolores Speilmacher, who received her 65-year pin, said, “I would have stood for President but my age and health got in the way. It’s a very sad moment.”
The Ladies Auxiliary has been a backbone of the Legion branch with supporting legion events, providing catering for special occasion events and being a major part of legion support and fundraising for community projects and donating to the Legion for veterans and youth projects.
The Auxiliary unofficially began during the First World War when women were asked to help wounded Veterans returning home, and to provide supports for their families. When The Royal Canadian Legion was established in 1926, these women were a welcomed addition at Legion Branches as they continued the tradition of volunteering to support needy ex-service personnel, and to enrich the programs and activities of the Branch.
A vital and integral part of the work of Legion branches, the Auxiliaries are operated separate from the Branches but have been major contributors to the day-to-day life of Legion Branches, providing not only financial support to Legion programs, charitable organizations and the community, but also through their volunteering.
Farewell!
