History
The start of it all circa 1946
Our legion hall today
The Otterburn Legion Auclair Branch 121 obtained its charter on October 24, 1945. The Branch was named after the Late Arsène Auclair who lost two sons, Roch and Jean-Jacques, in World War II. The first executive was elected in 1946.
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Headed by Louis Beauregard, the major concern was to obtain a permanent home for Auclair Branch 121. The “Veterans Social Association” was chartered as the legal entity to purchase the real estate owned by the “Otterburn Recreation Club”.
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The Royal Canadian Legion was founded by Veterans and for Veterans. We advocate for the care and benefits for all who served Canada, regardless of when or where they served. The Legion also provides representation and assistance to Veterans, including currently serving Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP, and their families. Access to our services is available to them at no cost, whether or not they are Legion members.
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Jean-Jacques Auclair​
9 October 1921 - 8 August 1944
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Jean-Jacques was the second child of Arsene Auclair and Marie Lapointe of Otterburn Park, born in St Hilaire on 9th October 1921. Brother to Joseph Auclair, also sadly lost during the war effort. He attended the Otterburn Park School from 1929 until completing 6th grade in 1935, like his brother he obtained no further education.
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Upon enlisting in the Royal Canadian Artillery aged 20 on 14th July 1942 he was employed at Atlas Asbestos Products in Montreal where he was employed as a shipper. During his training at Petawawa Jean was described as a
“happy-go-lucky type”. He stood 5’7” tall and weighed 132lbs when he enlisted, like his brother he was slender with brown hair and brown eyes.
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Jean was a gunner with the RCA 6th Anti-Tank regiment during the Second World War and arrived in France on 9th July 1944 as part of the Normandy Campaign. Just one month later, Jean was killed in action on 8th August 1944. He was buried with full military honours at The Canadian War Cemetery, Bretteville-Sur-Laize, France. He was posthumously awarded with the 1939-45 Star, the France and Germany Star, the Defence Medal, the War Medal and the Canada
Volunteer Service Medal.
We will remember him.
Joseph Arsene Roch Tancrede Auclair​
18 August 1920 - 29 January 1943
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Joseph was the first born child of Arsene Auclair and Marie Lapointe of Otterburn Park, born in St Hilaire on 18th August 1920. Brother to Jean Jacques Auclair. He attended the Otterburn Park School from 1926 until completing 6th grade in 1933, he obtained no further education.
Upon enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force aged 20 on 16th July 1941 he was employed at Defence Industries in Valleyfield where he was a Distillery Operator in the manufacture of ammunition. At the time of enlistment Joseph, a keen sportsman, enjoyed playing both tennis and hockey. Brown haired and brown eyed Joseph was a slender young man weighing 127lbs and standing 5’ 5” tall.
Joseph was posted in England during the Second World War. On the morning of 29th January 1943 Temporary Sergeant Joseph Auclair was a Pupil Air Gunner undergoing training attached to unit #23 OTU Pershore. At 11.17 am Joseph was killed when the Wellington Aircraft BK503 in which he was flying crashed near Earls Croome, England. He was buried with full military honours at Pershore Cemetery in Worcestershire, England.
We will remember him.