Newmarket Veterans' Association

NEWMARKET VETERANS’ ASSOCIATION (formerly known as Great War Veterans Association (1918) and North York Veterans Association (until 1930)) THE ORIGIN OF THE NEWMARKET VETERANS’ASSOCIATION Sometime before 1918 a Military Organization called “The Great War Veterans Association” came into being in Canada. The President was Dr. Gunn. This organization operated branches all over Canada. Closer to home, the branches were Newmarket and Aurora. Inspired with the idea of continuing their service to their country in peace even as in war, the veterans of Newmarket separated from the Great War Veterans Association and aligned themselves with various military organizations following the conclusion of hostilities. In 1926 the veterans of the Federal Riding of North York came into being with thirteen (13) branches, namely, Newmarket, Aurora, Georgina, Sutton, North Gwillimbury, North York, King, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Stouffville, Woodbridge, and Whitchurch. Newmarket remained affiliated with the North York Veterans Association until 1930. Since 1930, the veterans of Newmarket have been known as “The Newmarket Veterans’ Association”. In 1936 there were in excess of fifty (50) members in good standing. Mr. A. Elphinstone was the immediate Past President while the President for 1936-37 was Alfred (Mickey) Smith and the Vice-President was Bob White. The NVA’s energy in procuring the creation of the War Memorial in 1935 is indicative of the manner in which our club has carried on its work since the conclusion of the Great War. Noteworthy among our achievements was playing a major part in relieving distress in recent years. Our Association is credited with the greatest contributions of any organization in the area for this purpose. In 1948 our Association affiliated itself with the Canadian Corps in Toronto. We were known as Branch 119 of this organization. In this same year, our club was responsible for the erection of the Cenotaph on our plot at the Newmarket Cemetery which we had previously acquired for the sole use of destitute veterans. Our organization remained affiliated with Canadian Corps until January 1965. Still determined to have a club we could call our own, the Newmarket Veterans’ Association acquired the property at 406 Millard Avenue which was known as the Free Methodist Church. Since that time our membership has increased to approximately four hundred (400).