63

Basketball Hoop.
1911
Durrell, South Twillingate Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

64

ALB Brigade Hall community entertainment.
1950
Durrell, South Twillingate Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

65

Throughout the years, the Arm Lads Brigade was an integral part of community life in this small fishing outport. It not only provided boys with a meeting place to socialize, they learned life skills which remained with them for a lifetime. The end of this special organization brought to Durrell by the mystery man from the Boer War is a bittersweet memory for its former members and the whole community. There were other activities in the Brigade Armoury as well as military training such as "times" (concerts and parties) and community functions. Mr. Sterling Burton recalls that "There were games and variety concerts to raise money for the Brigade. I remember the boxing, the basketball games before falling in for regular drills. Every time I put on my uniform, I felt proud and held my head high."

Mr. Raymond Blake proudly relates "I remember the good old times, the concerts, the accordion music and square dancing, especially Tucker and Sir Roger."

66

ALB Brigade Hall concert.
1950
Durrell, South Twillingate Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

67

Wedding reception.
1943
Durrell, South Twillingate Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

68

Mrs. Ada Rogers, former secretary of the Durrell Museum Association and wife of the late Clarence Rogers, former ALB member, still reminisces, "There was always a crowd hanging around the Brigade Hall, which was a sign that other boys wanted to join. Many young boys joined the ALB when they were 10 years old and stayed in it until they were too old."

She also adds, "Sometimes the Hall was used for wedding receptions, but only for those belonging to the ALB. They also had dances and put off concerts."

69

The Arm Lads Brigade Armoury in 1974.
1974
Durrell, South Twillingate Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

70

The red ochre building, the Armoury, set high on a hill for everyone to see, served as a kind of bond which held the members together as a unit or even a family. Now the building was closed, no longer could be heard the sound of marching feet, the officer's commands, the clang of brass cymbals, the band music nor the sound of drums.

The Armoury stood for several years abandoned, easy prey for vandalism and wanton destruction.

71

Troake, Wilfred Captain of the Arm Lads Brigade.
1946
Durrell, South Twillingate Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

72

On November 8, 1972, the Executive Committee of the Arm Lads Brigade passed a motion that the Armoury and contents be passed over to the Town of Durrell. The committee requested that the Armoury be renovated for some worthwhile purpose and maintained as a memorial to those ALB members who served their country during wartime.

A motion was also passed releasing the balance of the treasury of the ALB to the Town of Durrell to be used toward setting up an Honour Roll in memory of the Arm Lads Brigade members (only) who served and fell in the Armed Forces in World War I and World War II and also the Merchant Marine and Forestry Unit.

It was further agreed that the names of all the Captains of the ALB be included on the Honour Roll.

The following Captains served the ALB since 1909:

William J. Minty
T.G.W. Ashbourne
Herbert Legge
Walter Pelley
Theodore Jenkins
Bennett Burton
Wilfred Troake (Photograph included here)
Roy Slade
ElmoBulgin
Fraser Blake
Lloyd Pelley

73

Badge of the Merchant Navy, Canada.
1939
Durrell, South Twillingate Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

74

The Durrell Museum 2002.
April, 2002
Durrell, South Twillingate Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

75

On September 17, 1973, a group of concerned citizens organized themselves into the Durrell Museum Association with a mandate to study the feasibility of renovating the Armoury as a museum. Government funding was received and major repairs and renovations were completed in the summer of 1977.

Finally, in June 1978, the former Arm Lads Brigade Armoury, then 68 years old was opened to the visiting public as the Durrell Museum.

The Museum portrays the life and history of the area's people through its many artifacts and collections. The livelihood of the people was based primarily on the inshore cod fishery and the Labrador fishery, and the many artifacts and exhibits certainly reflect this. This building has a rich history and today stands proud and tall as a commemorative to honour and remember the legacy of the Arm Lads Brigade.

76

Memorial Plaque.
May, 2003
Durrell, South Twillingate Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada