About Us - History

In the late 1920s, a group of downtown Toronto businessmen, all veterans of World War I, initiated a luncheon club that by 1929 had evolved into the Businessmen's Branch of the British Empire Service League. These early beginnings blossomed under the leadership of Brigadier-General D.C. Draper, CMG DSO.  Some years later the club became Fort York Branch No.165 of The Royal Canadian Legion. 

The current membership is in the range of 300. Although our membership has traditionally been comprised of World War II and Korean veterans, there is now an infusion of post-war regular force and reserve personnel, both serving and retired. In addition we have a small but growing number of Associate Members and a significant number of female members.  Two of our recent Presidents have been female senior officers.  This mixture of gender, age and background is a significant element of the Branch's vibrant well-being.