TORONTO BRANCH - for United Empire Loyalists

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March 18 saw Jane Irwin give an invigorating talk about the subject “Old Canadian Cemeteries; Places
of Memory”.
On 5 May, branch members Richard Atkinson, Linda Fawcett-Young, Alex and Anne Lawrence, Diane
Reid, Karen Windover and special guest, Grand River member, David Morrison, participated in Historica
at Cullen Gardens in Whitby. We were given a spot outside where Anne and Alex set up a period tent.
Both Alex and Richard were allowed to bring their replica guns and we were quite a hit.
June 19th saw us again join with Governor Simcoe Branch to attend an indoor reception given by the
Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, His Honour, David C. Onley, also a Toronto Branch member.
Immediately following the reception, we proceeded outside for the raising of the flag. His Honour
deviated from his planned speech when he insisted that we sing Happy Birthday to Fred Branscombe UE
who had turned 95 !
By Karen Windover UE
2010 Fall
T
oronto Branch has been focused on increasing membership and making membership more relevant
for existing members. Our annual AGM in January was followed by a rousing talk by Honorary V.P.
Gavin Watt in February.
In April a number of costumed members, accompanied by special guest, David Hill Morrison (Grand
River Branch), in what is becoming an annual happening, participated in Historica at Cullen Gardens in
Whitby. We once again entertained and informed Grade 6 and 7 students to show what the Loyalists
were.
In May, we participated at the OGS event at the airport. On Loyalist Day, June 19th, in conjunction with
Governor Simcoe Branch, we hosted a Strawberry Social which was extremely well attended. We again
partnered with Governor Simcoe on July 31st on a bus trip to Fort George (Niagara-on-the- Lake) to
witness one of the largest re-enactments in recent history.
2011 Fall
T
he new year started with our AGM, followed by a show and tell. Regular meetings with guest
speakers filled out the spring months. In February, Branch President Karen Windover, along with
Doug Grant of Governor Simcoe Branch, were invited to attend an information meeting for the Toronto
Project. Chaired by past Toronto mayor, David Crombie, the objectives were presented and input
requested. The results of this meeting are discussed elsewhere. Karen then volunteered to sit with
Hamilton Branch members at their booth during the OGS Conference in May. Then it was off to
Brockville for our own annual conference. We were represented quite well with nine members in
attendance.
June saw our President in costume at two more functions. Loyalist Day, 19 June, was actually a weekend
event at Black Creek Pioneer Village. Once again we collaborated with members of Governor Simcoe
branch to man an information table. Branch member Ed Cass, a King’s Royal Ranger, was honoured with
the Major James Gray Memorial Cup. The cup was presented to the Regiment by another branch member,
David Moore. It is awarded annually in memory of the Tactical Commander of the 1st Bn. “to the soldier
who achieves an accurate portrayal; exemplifies Regimental spirit, dedicated service and military
bearing.” Later that weekend, Alex Lawrence and Karen Windover were victims of a rebel attack which