This Branch was formed in the spring of 1946 at a meeting of District Veterans which was held in the offices of the old Bank of Hochelaga building, later to be the Ollie Walsh establishment, which housed a funeral parlour and a farm equipment retailer. This building in 2007 is the ScotiaBank building on Concession Street. It was decided at that time to apply for a Charter under the abbreviated name L.T.H. (Pilot Officer Stuart Long, Pilot Officer Eric Twiname and Warrant Officer Gordon Henderson), who were three local boys who paid the supreme sacrifice in WWII, whose families were well known and highly respected in the Russell Community. There is one more name commemorated on our Cenotaph Comrade Earl Graham who was killed in battle on March 29, 1945, at the age of 28.

Our Charter was granted on February 9, 1946 and was placed in Zone G5 but later transferred to Zone G3 and has remained to present. There were 17 original Charter Members, to date only 2 remain. The rest of those Comrades will be remembered for all their efforts for the Branch will not be forgotten.

Hugh Day was chosen as our first President with Alex Stephens as Secretary and R. Morrice as Treasurer. The first meetings were held in the old Bank Offices and later larger Dinner Meetings were held in the old Lower or Commercial Hotel. This building had a fire in the late eighties which destroyed it, and is now the property where Town and Country Video currently conduct business. The attendance for the meetings was around 60, however it was realized that only the social part was being taken care of, the early business side of the Legion was not. At that time some Members took into their own hands to look for land to purchase for a building of their own. In 1954 a building and two lots were purchased from Ernie Madden, which is the current location of our Legion. Formerly Second Street, now Legion Lane and the corner of First Avenue.

The old building was renovated and made serviceable for a hall, which was at time crowded but had many a lively meeting. Small parties, suppers and dances were held to raise money, and shortly following the Branch sponsored the local Scout troupe, where it was said that during their rituals the whole building shook, and occasionally the stove pipes would become dislodged. The building was weakening and the floors started to develop weak spots due to the heavy traffic.

With the Village of Russell not having much luck with industry, losing its Factories, later its railway and bus service, things were starting to deteriorate, including the Legion. Some members thought it would be wise to turn in the Charter, but the older Veterans and a few others stuck with it, kept their dues paid and hung on during the worst of times.

In the late fifties Veterans from WWII who were working in Ottawa, but had rural backgrounds, began to migrate back to the country life and away from the "rat race" in the big cities. One of those men was Cecil Weatherall, who joined the Branch when it was down to six paid Members. Another was Mike Gloss, who later moved to Russell and bought a home. It was only after Cecil was appointed President, and Mike the Secretary, that Legion affairs in Russell started to take on a whole new look.

Cec’s first goal and project was to have a suitable Memorial to the “boys” who paid the supreme sacrifice in the two world wars. In 1965 Cecil got his wish when Comrade Ross McConnell sold and erected the stone at the corner of First Avenue and Second Street. It is still there today, Second Street is now Legion Lane.

The Branch and its Executive set its sights on a better hall, so they pondered on whether to enlarge the old hall or to tear it down and build a new one. It was decided on the latter course and immediately ways and means were thought up by all who were under the leadership of Cecil and Mike. Prior to 1967 a very good Ladies Auxiliary was formed in anticipation of a fund raising campaign. In 1967 two more lots were purchased by the Branch, and in cooperation with the Ladies and their fundraising teas, bake sales, bazaars, they were able to have a well drilled, and furnished the Branch with card tables, chairs, dishes and cutlery. They always managed to lend a hand financially and socially.

Mike Gloss was elected President in 1968, and in 1970 the old building was demolished, 372 was again without a meeting place, something they expected, but through Mike, Cecil and a building committee, the Branch and the Auxiliary, they managed to raise $ 5000.00. They decided to try for a mortgage but were denied the balance to build, a total of $ 15,000.00. Mike would eventually borrow the money from a friend, and by May of 1971, the new Legion Hall was opened, the Branch had a total of 55 Members, and their first donation to the new building came from local businessman Nat Palmer, a cheque for $ 200.00.

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