One early Saturday morning the week before Memorial Day, a local Legion of B.C. bustling with young cadets making poppies. Tucked away on a side street near Kitsilano Beach is the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 176. The building has stood the test of time, having been built in the 1930s. James ‘Jim’ Dadd, chairman of the Billy Bishop/Kerrisdale branch, has worn many hats to look after members since becoming a legion in 1960. “This is a place where they can come and relax and talk to other people,” he says. From making sure the building is maintained, to functions and dinners running smoothly, he is a staple in the legion. “On Saturday, I come in and help with dinner and then I go up and tell some really awful jokes before dinner,” he tells Glacier Media. If you ask him for a joke, he has plenty of drafts ready. But what exactly was the driving force behind his 30-plus year involvement? “I guess it’s about seeing everybody having fun. We’re having a good time. And we want to make sure everybody’s OK,” Dad says. The British-style pub is located below the surface of the sea, giving a dark and cozy atmosphere. Inside, intimate tables bring people together as they are surrounded by plates from around the world. “These are all either regimental plates, ship plates or squadron plates from various parts of Canada, [the] Allies and everywhere else,” he says. Over the years, visitors have noted the collection and donated their plaques. “So it finally made it this far,” he says. “There have been many donations and so many in fact that they are not all… exhibited. There is a warehouse where there are more.” In the center of the room above the fireplace is a portrait of Billy Bishop himself, Canada’s First World War flying ace. “Billy Bishop’s family gave the legion permission to use his name,” says Dad. Around the facility, volunteers are busy tending to the garden and grounds ahead of today (November 11). And if you look closely, a small path winding in front of the legion is made up of memorial bricks. It is to remember those who never came home from war and those whose lives were changed by war.

What kind of support does the legion offer?

As dad prepares for this year’s Memorial Day, he’s thinking about his father. “My father didn’t die in the war, but he died because of the war. He served in the Royal Navy for 22 years during the war.” Memorial Day is not the only day when members, their families and the community remember the lost. This legion, and many others, is supported year-round. Dad explains how the pub and legion is not just a place for people to gather, but also to relax, chat with others and provide assistance to veterans and their families. “Whether it’s housing, whether it’s medical, whether there are resources available within the legion and the poppy fund and Veterans Affairs that can help them,” he says. “It’s a place where people can introduce themselves and know what the legion stands for and what it can do for these people.” Once inside the pub, Dad explains how there’s a person who seems to know everything that’s going on. “We have a bartender, he’s a member and he’s been here forever. A long time. And you know, everybody knows her. They are very, very nice. And that way, if there’s an issue, he’ll know about it,” he says. Coming home after service can be very difficult for members, especially when they are not with their military or the people they served with. “The veterans in World War I, World War II, a lot of them went overseas as a unit,” Dad explains. “So they were all together as a team. Whereas now, they’re from all different places across Canada.” When they come home and come to the legion, they are surrounded by other members who understand what they have been through. “The camaraderie is there because they are, you know, they were service members.”
Dad says veterans can be anyone who wore a uniform, not just those who served in war. He tells Glacier Media that the legion welcomes everyone.

The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed subscriptions

Membership in Branch 176 is now higher than it was in 2019. (Costs $65 per year.) According to Dad, the pandemic has been difficult for their members and many people have not been able to gather in person. Their pub had to close due to pandemic regulations as it was considered a bar. says they tried to find a solution to serve food instead so people could support each other and spend time together. “That was our goal … to try to keep the place open as much as we could for the people that come in.” They also renovated the legion to have better ventilation. Today, the menu is gone, but they still serve dinner on Saturdays with entertainment. “A lot of people now, especially younger people, join because it’s a place they can come with their friends,” Dad says. This legion also claims to have some of the cheapest beers in Vancouver. “It’s about $1.50 cheaper than you can get it anywhere else. And that price is all tax,” he says. There are more than 450 members right now, and Dad says it’s a mix of veterans and newcomers. “We really appreciate you wanting to come and join and we have a lot of things in here that you could possibly learn about and like Billy Bishop.” Royal Canadian Legion Branch 176 commemorative bricks. Alanna Kelly