Tobermory Legion Branch 290 News
Submitted by Kathryn Hauck,
Poppy Chair
Here we are, mid-November with December slowly creeping in. The 2025 Poppy Campaign and Remembrance Day Service are behind us and this year the weather slightly cooperated.
Thank you to everyone that supported the Tobermory Branch with their donations or purchasing a wreath. Your support is greatly appreciated. In addition to all who supported the Cenotaph and Legion Lunch, we would like to mention DJ Maxx and his music and sound coordination for the ceremony. We thank you all!
The Ladies Auxiliary WINTER BINGO has started. Bingo is on Mondays at the Tobermory Community Centre, doors open at 12:30pm with games starting at 1:00pm. Meat draws are happening on Saturdays starting at 4:30pm. Come with friends or join a group and play euchre on the last Friday of the month, doors open at 6:45pm and games start at 7:00pm. On November 22 after the meat draw, there will be Chili & a Bun for $10.00. Enjoy the meat draw and an easy dinner! Try your luck at darts, every Thursday starting at 7:00pm. The Turkey Raffle is on Friday December 12th at 7:00pm. Come early for a seat and some fun!
The Billy Bishop Museum has a program called “Honoring our Local Veterans”. Legions across Grey and Bruce counties are asked to submit the name and Military History of a couple of their Veterans each year. Every year, on the last Sunday in October, a ceremony is held at the Legion Hall in Owen Sound to honor the Veterans who where chosen that year. This year, two Veterans from Tobermory and part of the Tobermory Legion Branch 290 were honored – Bill Spears and Arthur Martin.
William Alexander “Bill” Spears served with The Perth Regiment in Italy and Holland during WW2. After discharge he served as a Lighthouse Keeper on Flower Pot Island, Angus Island and Cove Island.
Arthur Martin served with the Royal Canadian Dragoons in England, France and Germany during WW1. After his discharge, he served as Justice of the Peace and operated a Guide Boat for tourists in Tobermory. (See his outline in the last press).
We are proud as a community to have these men honored for their service.
Continuing through the Military Service Recognition Books, found both at the legion and at Bruce County Public Library Tobermory Branch: William M. Smith was born on October 18, 1909 in Tobermory, ON. He enlisted in the RCA on October 20, 1942. He served with the Highland Light Infantry and the Essex Regiment in the UK, Continental Europe, Holland and Germany during WW2. He was discharged on February 9, 1946 and returned to Tobermory and worked as a commercial fisherman. His medals include the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, the 1935-45 Star, the France and Germany Star and the Defence Medal. William passed away on October 7, 1975.
~We Will Remember Them ~
