Royal Canadian Legion Branch 345

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 345 We are a branch of the Royal Canadian Legion a Non-profit Organization looking out for the best interest of our Veterans and our Community. Lieut-Col.

Poppy and Rememberance



History of the Poppy

Why was the poppy chosen as the symbol of remembrance for Canada’s war dead? The poppy, an international symbol for those who died in war, also had international origins. A writer first made the connection between the poppy and battlefield deaths during the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th century, remarking that fields that were barren before batt

le exploded with the blood-red flowers after the fighting ended. Prior to the First World War few poppies grew in Flanders. During the tremendous bombardments of that war the chalk soils became rich in lime from rubble, allowing ‘popaver rhoeas’ to thrive. When the war ended the lime was quickly absorbed, and the poppy began to disappear again. John McCrae, the Canadian doctor who wrote the poem IN FLANDERS FIELDS, made the same connection 100 years later, during the First World War, and the scarlet poppy quickly became the symbol for soldiers who died in battle. Three years later an American, Moina Michael, was working in a New York City YMCA canteen when she started wearing a poppy in memory of the millions who died on the battlefield. During a 1920 visit to the United States a French woman, Madame Guerin, learned of the custom. On her return to France she decided to use handmade poppies to raise money for the destitute children in war-torn areas of the country. In November 1921, the first poppies were distributed in Canada. Thanks to the millions of Canadians who wear the flowers each November, the little red plant has never died. And neither have Canadian’s memories for 117,000 of their countrymen who died in battle.

06/21/2025

Blind Draw Doubles Tournament

Join us on Canada Day for a fun day! From 11 am to 8 pm.
06/13/2025

Join us on Canada Day for a fun day! From 11 am to 8 pm.

05/07/2025
May and June Bingo!
05/04/2025

May and June Bingo!

Bingo for May and June.
05/04/2025

Bingo for May and June.

It is with great sadness to advise we lost one of our members and a Veteran, Robert (Bob) Clarke, on Thursday, February ...
03/07/2025

It is with great sadness to advise we lost one of our members and a Veteran, Robert (Bob) Clarke, on Thursday, February 13th. A Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, May 10th,
from 1 pm to 5 pm. Bob loved people and loved playing darts. He was a Proud Veteran! R.I.P Bob. You will be missed!

Please note the change of the date for the Celebration of Life.

03/06/2025

We have been asked if any of our members and/or friends are interested in attending an information session on Reverse Mortgages.

Information seminars on reverse mortgage, the positive and the negatives
An unbiased mortgage/financial review to ensure that this is the best product to suit each individual's needs

There are many opinions on reverse mortgages, and this casual information session should better educate you before making any decisions since TV ads don't explain much.

Great time Saturday Night at our Aloha Summer Dance. Thank you to our team for organizing this event!
07/15/2024

Great time Saturday Night at our Aloha Summer Dance. Thank you to our team for organizing this event!

06/18/2024

Congratulations to the District Horseshoe winners from our Branch:

Singles

Dave Evely

Doubles

Dave Evely/Phillip Pappin

Thank you, Branch 614, for allowing us to host this event at your Branch. We greatly appreciate it.

Also, congratulations to the District Washer Toss winners from our Branch:

Singles

Brandon Wheater
Dave Evely
Jonathon Levely
James McAvoy

Doubles

Dave Evely/Brandon Wheater
Dermot Whelan/James McAvoy
Angela Wheater/Kathryn LoCicero

Thank you to all the members at Branch 345 who volunteered their time. Also, thank you to Sandra Durham, Brandon Wheater and Branch 614, for lending us their Washer Toss boxes.

06/17/2024

Congratulations to all the Bingo winners today and thank you for the BBQ and to all the helpers.

Address

81 Peard Road
Toronto, ON
M4B1T8

Opening Hours

Monday 3pm - 10pm
Tuesday 3pm - 10pm
Wednesday 3pm - 11pm
Thursday 3pm - 10pm
Friday 3pm - 11pm
Saturday 1pm - 10pm

Telephone

416-759-5291

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Royal Canadian Legion Branch 345 posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Our Story

Poppy and Rememberance History of the Poppy Why was the poppy chosen as the symbol of remembrance for Canada’s war dead? The poppy, an international symbol for those who died in war, also had international origins. A writer first made the connection between the poppy and battlefield deaths during the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th century, remarking that fields that were barren before battle exploded with the blood-red flowers after the fighting ended. Prior to the First World War few poppies grew in Flanders. During the tremendous bombardments of that war the chalk soils became rich in lime from rubble, allowing ‘popaver rhoeas’ to thrive. When the war ended the lime was quickly absorbed, and the poppy began to disappear again. Lieut-Col. John McCrae, the Canadian doctor who wrote the poem IN FLANDERS FIELDS, made the same connection 100 years later, during the First World War, and the scarlet poppy quickly became the symbol for soldiers who died in battle. Three years later an American, Moina Michael, was working in a New York City YMCA canteen when she started wearing a poppy in memory of the millions who died on the battlefield. During a 1920 visit to the United States a French woman, Madame Guerin, learned of the custom. On her return to France she decided to use handmade poppies to raise money for the destitute children in war-torn areas of the country. In November 1921, the first poppies were distributed in Canada. Thanks to the millions of Canadians who wear the flowers each November, the little red plant has never died. And neither have Canadian’s memories for 117,000 of their countrymen who died in battle.