What is now Kerrisdale Branch #30 of the Royal Canadian Legion had its beginning at an organizational meeting on October 28, 1919, when seven returned soldiers met to discuss the formation of a Veterans Association. At a later meeting it was decided that forming a Branch of the Great War Veterans Association would best suit their purpose, so on April 24th, 1920 they received their charter from the Dominion Association of Veterans and they were in business. They were at that time meeting in the Jolly Bachelors Hall in Kerrisdale, but it was the feeling that they could better serve their cause if they had their own building. A place from which they could raise funds and look after the needs of the returned soldiers and their families. An application was made to the Municipality of Point Grey asking to be granted a piece of property in Kerrisdale. The Municipality then granted them a 100 foot piece of property on 42nd avenue in Kerrisdale. A building fund was started, it raised money in many ways but mostly by popular subscriptions (donations) of the residents of the Point Grey area. This work however could not have been accomplished without the assistance of the woman’s auxiliary. The ladies not only raised considerable funds through socials, whist drives and dances, but also undertook to furnish the new building.
Plans for the new building were drawn and the water connection permit was issued by the municipality to Mr. P. Vickerstaff on August 9th, 1923 and the work proceeded. The building was finally completed, being fully constructed by the members under the supervision of W. H. Trounce.

The members hoped to have their building free and clear, unfortunately their efforts were not entirely successful, the completed cost of the total construction was $6500.00 with less than $1000.00 owing against it. The building was designed in keeping with the surrounding homes and was officially open at 3:00P.M on November 11th, 1923.

Following WWI there were a number of Veterans Organizations, of which this branch was a member of the G.W.V.A. During 1925 another association was being formed in Winnipeg called the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League. This took place at the Unity Conference of some 15 veterans’ organizations where they were convinced that one large organization would be far more effective than several small ones. Kerrisdale Branch #30 was rechartered under the Canadian Legion on November 22, 1926. The Organization name changed to the Royal Canadian Legion in 1961.

Kerrisdale Branch #30 of the Royal Canadian Legion grew to be one of the largest branches membershipwise in Western Canada having some 1500 ordinary and associate members by the early 1980’s. It has occupied the same premises that were opened in 1923 until it was replaced by a new building in 1987. In her long history Branch 30 has had forty five Presidents but it took until 1982 for the Branch to elect their first woman president in Gladys Mallard, sine then we have had the pleasure of two other women presidents June Fletcher 1989 to 1993 and Lynn Sharples who is presently leading the Branch.

Our Ladies Auxiliary was also chartered in 1926 and served the Branch until 1994 when it was forced to disband. They have been sorely missed.