MATSQUI UNIT 315
Our History
After the Armistice in 1918, Canadian war veterans returning home, faced the challenge of reintegrating into society after up to 5 years spent in unimaginably violent and harsh conditions.
The success of the veteran soldier to transition back into civilian life depended on community groups, government services and veteran associations such as the Great War Veterans’ Association of Canada (“GWVA”).
The purpose of the GWVA was “To perpetuate the close and kindly ties of mutual service in the Great War, the recollections and associations of that experience and to maintain proper standards of honor and dignity between all returned soldiers”. Many returning soldiers faced barriers to employment and financial hardship due to physical or mental trauma.
In 1920, veterans returning from WW1 formed a Branch of the GWVA in Mt. Lehman. Their meeting location was at the Loyal Orange Lodge Hall (Mt. Lehman Community Hall), which provided a space for veterans to be with other veterans, help finding work and a political voice advocating on behalf of veterans.
The prominent founding members of the GWVA Mt. Lehman Branch were Stephen Leslie BRICE, James Percy CARR, Frederick CARTER, Cecil GIBSON, Murdock GILLIS , John Hanton GRAY, James SIMPSON and Alfred TUCKER.
In 1925, the GWVA formally joined the British Empire Service League, the forerunner of the Royal Canadian Legion (the “Legion”). The GWVA Mt. Lehman Branch amalgamated with Matsqui/Abbotsford Legion Branch 15.
In the late 1940s, a crisis in the Mt. Lehman community changed the veterans’ loyalties to the Legion. Someone behind the scenes was advocating closing the Mt. Lehman Post Office and moving it to Clearbrook. This was opposed by the residents of Mt. Lehman and the local veteran’s, which now included WW2 veterans.
The veterans, led by Fred Carter, presented a resolution to the Legion, asking support for the retention of the Mt. Lehman Post Office. The Legion refused and told the veterans they were not interested in supporting their resolution.
The veterans felt it had been a mistake to amalgamate the GWVA with the Legion. They believed the Legion was only interested in supporting the downtown village area of Abbotsford and not the Mt. Lehman community. This infuriated the Mt. Lehman veterans who then disassociated themselves with the Legion. The veterans group decided to pursue a different veteran’s association.
In 1952, the veterans' group in Mt. Lehman received its Charter to become a Branch of the Army, Navy, and Air Force Veterans in Canada and Matsqui Unit #315 was founded.
These veteran’s group were also responsible for establishing the Mt. Lehman Credit Union and
Fire Hall No. 5
Their legacy continues today.
Royal Canadian Air Force Station
Abbotsford, Airport
History of Our Building
The building (right), has a rich history.
1942: The building was originally constructed as a 'H' Hut military barracks at the Royal Canadian Air Force Station (now Abbotsford Airport).
1943-1945: The barracks was used to house pilots under the British Commonwealth Air Training Program (BCATP).
1948: The barracks provided shelter to Matsqui residents who needed to escape during the Fraser River flood.
1957: The barracks housed ‘Hungarian refugees’ fleeing the uprising in Hungary to overthrow their communist government.
1961: The barracks was purchased from the Abbotsford Airport for $5,000 by five members who signed a bank note on behalf of Matsqui Unit #315. It was then moved in one piece to its current site on land owned by the Taylor family of Mt. Lehman, which was later donated.
November 4, 1961: After renovations to the building was completed, it opened as the clubhouse for Matsqui Unit #315.
1964-1974: Part of the building (where the kitchen is today) was the Mt. Lehman library until the new one was built adjacent to the Firehall.
August 26, 1974: The ‘Land Titles Deed’ was transferred from ANAVETS Dominion Command to Matsqui Unit #315. The McNeil family of Mt. Lehman donated the roadway.