The Royal Canadian Legion was founded in 1925 to unite fragmented Veterans’ groups and provide support to former service members. Officially incorporated in 1926, it became the “Royal Canadian Legion” in 1960, with Queen Elizabeth II granting permission to use the ‘Royal’ prefix. Originally focused on supporting First World War Veterans, the Legion expanded during the Second World War and continues today to improve the lives of Veterans, Canadian Armed Forces members, RCMP, and their families.
Our mission is to serve Veterans, including serving military and RCMP members and their families, to promote Remembrance, and to serve our communities and our country.
Comrade James Edward MacDonald was born on February 10 1923 in South Lake, Prince Edward Island. At the young age of 16, Comrade Edward joined the Royal Canadian Navy as a Radar Technician in 1939. He was a World War ll Veteran seeing active service in the Battle of Atlantic on His Majesty Canadian Ship (HMCS), Ontario.
Comrade Edward joined the Royal Canadian Legion in 1946 at Branch 003 in Souris, Prince Edward Island as an Ordinary member. After moving to Essa Township in 1950, Comrade Edward MacDonald transferred to Branch 499 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Angus, Ontario. During his years of commitment to our Branch, he served in numerous capacities and was an extremely active member of the community.
Over his many years of support and commitment to the community, Comrade Edward was a member of Council with the Township of Essa, as well as serving as the Deputy Reeve during the nineteen seventies. During his many years as a valued community volunteer, Comrade Edward was extremely active in supporting the construction of the Angus arena.
On April 7, 1990, the official opening of the Angus Legion Gardens senior citizens complex took place. As Chairman of this amazing project, Comrade Edward Macdonald advocated with both Federal and Provincial Governments to secure a place for the Senior members of the community to call their home.
Comrade Edward MacDonald was an extremely active member of Legion Branch 499 Angus. He dedicated many years of his life towards supporting Veterans, their familes, and the community. Comrade Edward was the first ever Branch 499 recipient of the Legion’s highest award, the Medal of Merit. Edward was a Branch President for fifteen years and held the position of Veteran Service Officer for many years.
For his efforts and support to Veterans and their families, the Department of Veterans Affairs acknowledged his work by presenting Comrade Edward with a prestigious award.
To honour the many years of community work Comrade Edward put forth, and all the support he provided to our Veterans and their families, Branch 499 Angus was renamed to The Edward MacDonald Branch in his honour, and a new Charter was issued by Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion on April 29, 1994.
Branch 499 is a part of Zone 3, District E, Command 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Angus Memorial Square honours local heroes who served from WWI to today, with the Cenotaph, commemorative plaques, and gardens maintained by Legion Branch 499. Each November 11th, the community gathers here to remember.
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