Open/Close Toolbox
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 New Zealand License
Format: Image
Linked To
Collection
Copyright
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 New Zealand LicenseThis licence lets you remix, tweak, and build upon our work noncommercially and although your new works must also acknowledge us and be noncommercial, you do not have to license the derivative works on the same terms.
Menu
Southbridge / Ellesmere RSA
Description
TitleSouthbridge / Ellesmere RSA
DescriptionIn 1919 the Southbridge Returned Soldiers Association was formed and in September a meeting was held in Leeston to form the Ellesmere RSA.
In October separate meetings at Southbridge and Leeston each elected committee members to form the executive of the Ellesmere RSA with John Coe of Irwell as President.
During the next few years social events including an annual ball were held but interest gradually declined and by 1931 the Ellesmere Branch of the Plunket Society was organising the annual Poppy Day Appeal for the Christchurch RSA.
In 1933 the Christchurch RSA organised a meeting in the district and the Southbridge Sub-Branch of the RSA was formed. It was busy during the next few years setting up relief and distress committees to assist returned soldiers in the depression years. They subsidised wages and gave grocery orders.
Fundraising and social activities were held and in 1937 a two room dwelling was purchased. Gordon Doyle built another cottage in 1939 and by 1947 they owned four cottages for returned servicemen.
In 1940 the Sub-Branch was renamed the Ellesmere Sub-Branch and in 1942 the Returned Soldiers Association became the Returned Services Association.
The return of servicemen after World War Two saw a big increase in the RSA membership and in 1947 there were 287 members.
The Old Magistrates Court was purchased from the Springs-Ellesmere Veterinary Club in 1954 and a Queen Carnival held the following year raised over £3000 ($6000) to upgrade the building which was officially opened in 1956.
As the years went by World War Two veterans passed on and activities became fewer. Gordon Nurse was the last local veteran to die.
The main activity of the branch now centres around Anzac Day and Poppy Day. It has been pleasing to see the increasing attendance for the Anzac Day service and the involvement by younger members of the community.
Membership is no longer limited to service personal and anyone can join to assist past service personal in the area.
The Branch meets monthly.
DescriptionIn 1919 the Southbridge Returned Soldiers Association was formed and in September a meeting was held in Leeston to form the Ellesmere RSA. In October separate meetings at Southbridge and Leeston each elected committee members to form the executive of the Ellesmere RSA with John Coe of Irwell as President.
During the next few years social events including an annual ball were held but interest gradually declined and by 1931 the Ellesmere Branch of the Plunket Society was organising the annual Poppy Day Appeal for the Christchurch RSA.
In 1933 the Christchurch RSA organised a meeting in the district and the Southbridge Sub-Branch of the RSA was formed. It was busy during the next few years setting up relief and distress committees to assist returned soldiers in the depression years. They subsidised wages and gave grocery orders.
Fundraising and social activities were held and in 1937 a two room dwelling was purchased. Gordon Doyle built another cottage in 1939 and by 1947 they owned four cottages for returned servicemen.
In 1940 the Sub-Branch was renamed the Ellesmere Sub-Branch and in 1942 the Returned Soldiers Association became the Returned Services Association.
The return of servicemen after World War Two saw a big increase in the RSA membership and in 1947 there were 287 members.
The Old Magistrates Court was purchased from the Springs-Ellesmere Veterinary Club in 1954 and a Queen Carnival held the following year raised over £3000 ($6000) to upgrade the building which was officially opened in 1956.
As the years went by World War Two veterans passed on and activities became fewer. Gordon Nurse was the last local veteran to die.
The main activity of the branch now centres around Anzac Day and Poppy Day. It has been pleasing to see the increasing attendance for the Anzac Day service and the involvement by younger members of the community.
Membership is no longer limited to service personal and anyone can join to assist past service personal in the area.
The Branch meets monthly.
Photographer Lloyd Clausen
Connections
CollectionService and SacrificeOrganisationEllesmere Historical SocietyMore InformationRSA Ellesmere website
OrganisationEllesmere Historical SocietyMore InformationRSA Ellesmere websiteAttribution
Click on the image to add
a tag or press ESC to cancel
a tag or press ESC to cancel
Southbridge / Ellesmere RSA. Selwyn Stories, accessed 27/05/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/6249