About the founder, Hal Rogers
Putting the camaraderie in community.
Creating mutual trust and friendship in our community through time spent together.
Hal Rogers
Founder Of The Association of the Kinsmen Clubs of Canada now known as KinCanada
Harold A. Rogers was born in London, Ontario, on January 3rd, 1899. Harold (Hal) moved to Hamilton, Ontario to work with his father as manager of the Standard Sanitary Co. Ltd. At the age of 17, Hal enlisted with the 73rd Argyle and Sutherland Battalion. Trained in England, fought at Vimy Ridge, Lens Hill 70, and Ypres, Hal was promoted to Corporal for his leadership skills.
Missing the camaraderie of army life, Hal joined the local Rotary Club, where his father was a member. However, Hal was rejected because the Rotarians only allowed one member from each classification.
Not a person to be outdone, Hal, then 21 years old, decided to create a new club. As a result of his initiative, a small group of like-minded men gathered for a dinner meeting on February 20th, 1920. It formed what became known as the Kinsmen Club of Hamilton – Canada's first Kinsmen Club.
Throughout his life, Hal Rogers believed in the value of education. In his words, "providing and promoting the finest and most effective education possible for our young people" was a noble endeavor.
Over the years, Hal was recognized for many achievements. In 1946 he received the Order of the British Empire and was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1978. The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation recognized his devotion to the concept of education for young people and named him the first recipient of the coveted Lamp of Learning Award in 1950.
The concept of developing an endowment fund to promote and encourage the pursuit of education was approved enthusiastically by Founder Hal. Consequently, after he died in September 1994, the Kinsmen & Kinette Clubs of Canada established the Kin Canada Bursaries, a Hal Rogers Endowment Fund program in his memory.
To date, over 5,000 members belong to over 400 Kinsmen, Kinette, and Kin clubs across Canada.
History of the Listowel Kinsmen
Building friendships and a strong community since 1948
In the early years, the Listowel Kinsmen Club rallied to provide the community with needed services and equipment.
Here is a look back at some monumental moments.
Have record of a monumental moment?
We are always on the look out for important dates and moments in the history of the Kinsmen of Listowel. Got something good to share with us? Give use a shout, we would love to feature it on our website.
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