Regina, Saskatchewan Regina's memorial building, constructed in 1947, is the home of Saskatchewan No.1 Branch of the Royal Canadian
Legion. This building is a visible and lasting reminder dedicated to the heroism and valour of those who offered
their lives for freedom and has become the shrine its founders intended it to be. In September 1992, this
building was declared a Heritage property.
Opposite the entrance to the Chapel stands the nine-foot "Cross of Sacrifice", made of Tyndall stone and
donated by the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Regina Branch.
At the base of the cross are two copper urns donated by the Remembrance Association of the Silver Cross women of
Canada, whose members had sons or daughters killed in action. The Ladies Auxiliary also gave the pedestals which
hold the two "Books of Remembrance" with their roster of the Valiant Dead. The book on the left that contains the
names of Canadian soldiers who lost their lives in WWI, is a photostat of the original in the Peace Tower in Ottawa. Saskatchewan received the book
from the Governor-General and placed it in the custodial care of the Legion. On the right is the book of Saskatchewan's
WWII and Korean war dead, a gift of the local ex-servicewomen's section of the Legion. The parchment for the book was
imported from Australia, the art work and hand-lettering were done by the Sisters of the Precious Blood of Regina.
In the Trophy Room, to the immediate left, is a collection of artifacts and memorabilia. A display case holds
medals and insignia from the South African War, other cases are filled with regimental badges from the two world
wars and Korea. On the walls are three oil paintings of ones who have received the Victoria Cross: Air Commodore Raymond Collishaw, Air Marshal
Billy Bishop and Lieutenant-Colonel William Barker. There are also two pictures recording historical events: the
signing of the WWI Armistice in 1918 and the burying of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey on November 11
th, 1920. The gates to the Chapel and the Trophy Room are made of open wrought iron with burnished bronze
and were originally part of the Regina Garrison Sergeants' Mess.
The Memorial Tower is enhanced by five stained-glass windows which were unveiled in a solemn and impressive ceremony on May 14th, 1955, by His Excellency, the Right Honourable Vincent Massey, Governor General of Canada. These windows, as well as many wall murals, depict the courage, valour, and sacrifice of those fallen. The murals were designed by Ken Lochhead, Director of Art at Regina College from 1950-1964, and were officially presented in a special service by his Honour the Lieutenant-Governor W.J. Patterson, in 1954.
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