Portrait of the Officers of Branch 4 Verdun

This photograph of the officers of Branch 4 Verdun of the Canadian Legion was taken during the 25th anniversary of the organization, in 1944. The group was first known under the name The Great War Veterans’ Association 4, Verdun. From 1917 to 1929, the year the Great War Memorial Hall opened, the members met in a building provided by the City on Wellington Street. At the time, only soldiers who were currently or had previously served on the Canadian Expeditionary Force and in the British Armed Forces during the First World War could become members. In 1920, the criteria were expanded to include all soldiers having served in one of the British Empire’s wars and, in 1931, to any civilian having served in one of the Empire’s wars.

The Great War Veterans’ Association merged with other veterans’ groups in 1925 to form the Canadian Legion. In May 1940, Branch 4 Verdun of the Canadian Legion had between 400 and 500 members. In 1960, the association adopted the official name Royal Canadian Legion.