A Short History of Unit 261 Stratford
The Army, Navy, Air Force Veterans in Canada, formed in 1840, by an Act of Parliament.
The Army, Navy and Air Force (ANAF) Veteran’s Association Unit 261 was formed in Stratford on the 26th of May 1937 with 25 members who had served in the Great War 1914 – 1918.
As you can imagine, comradery was something of special significance to our members, as working together outside of active service was a way for them to maintain their bonds while giving back to their community. ANAF meetings were initially held in the Board Room at City Hall until it was decided that a permanent Club Room was needed, leading to the purchase of a facility. The community of Stratford came together to help the ANAF raise funds to purchase a home on the corner of St. Andrews Street, evidence of the vital role that the ANAF played within the community. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by fire on the 13th of March 1948. Once again, the community of Stratford joined forces with the ANAF by forming a committee to aid the Unit in attaining temporary quarters from the Optimists’ Club on Water Street, and again a committee was formed to raise money and find permanent quarters for the Unit. At this time, the ANAF saw an opportunity to purchase the former stables of the Hargarty Commercial Hotel at 33 Brunswick Street to serve as their new location. Through the dedicated efforts of numerous supporters and volunteers, the building was quickly renovated to become the new permanent home of ANAF Unit 261. It was New Year’s Eve 1980 when yet another disastrous fire destroyed the Unit’s Club Rooms, putting the resiliency of the Unit and its members to the test. Our motto, Shoulder to Shoulder has never been more significant. The saying resonated with our members and spilled out into the community, with everyone working together to raise funds and assist in rebuilding the Club Rooms on the same site. The Stratford Shakespeare Festival Theatre wanted to expand the Avon Theatre and ANAF Unit 261’s Brunswick Street location was perfect for them. The decision was made to sell and luckily, the Knights of Columbus Community Centre became available. On August 28th 2000, ANAF Unit 261 sold the Brunswick Street building, purchased the Knights of Columbus Community Centre and moved (hopefully for the final time) to 151 Lorne Avenue East. With the overwhelming support of the Members of Unit 261, the transition to our new location was a great success. We currently have an excellent facility that serves all members of the Stratford community.
ANAF Unit 261 is a dynamic force within the Stratford community, actively supporting youth initiatives such as sponsoring hockey, baseball and soccer. The ANAF also supports local rugby, Ontario Special Olympics and contributes significantly to local projects and charities. Our annual commitments extend to organizations like The House of Blessing, Salvation Army, The Local Community Food Centre, Kiwanis Basket Fund, Kiwanis Music Festival, To Stratford with Love Dinner, and the Stratford Hospital Foundation, among others. Moreover, we proudly offer bursaries to each of our local Secondary Schools, ensuring a positive impact on the academic pursuits of graduating students. Notably, our deep commitment extends to Parkwood Veterans Hospital in London, underscoring our dedication to supporting those who have served our Nation.
Since 2017, when the Stratford Festival Theatre acquired the Kiwanis Community Centre from the City of Stratford, non-profit youth sports programs and Service Clubs in our local community have faced a significant challenge. The absence of a dedicated facility for meetings, banquets, and events has left these groups searching for a suitable space. Recognizing this need, several of these organizations turned to ANAF, seeking support to host their events. Undeterred, even during the challenging times of the COVID era, ANAF extended a helping hand to as many local organizations as possible offering them space at the ANAF for no cost to help them out.
ANAF Unit 261’s roots run deep, stemming from the camaraderie forged by the original 25 veterans in 1937. Today, the facility stands not just as a physical space but as a vibrant force shaping the heart of the Stratford community. The challenges (financially and other) we face are undeniably daunting, from the strains of the past to the pressing needs of the present. Yet, within each obstacle lies an opportunity for resilience, growth, and a renewed commitment to service.
Our motto is Shoulder to Shoulder and, we, the Executive and Members of Unit 261, extend a welcome to all Veterans, Ex-Service Personnel and Community to visit our facility at 151 Lorne Avenue East.
