Meet LEW FORTH – 2nd Vice President Branch 256

Lew Forth serves as the 2nd Vice President and executive member of our Legion. Known for his dedicated service to the branch and his prominent ceremonial leadership, Lew brings the perspective of a true veteran to his role. His journey into the Legion is rooted in a deep-seated commitment to supporting his fellow veterans and preserving the tight-knit military camaraderie he first discovered decades ago.

In 1965, as a teenager looking for a path out of the cold Vancouver Island logging camps of Zeballos, BC, Lew enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy, following in the military footsteps of his stepfather, Roy Arthur Darville. Choosing the engineering trade, he learned to operate steam boilers, turbines, and diesel engines. His first assignment was the destroyer escort HMCS Qu’Appelle, where his crew specialized in anti-submarine warfare, tracked real and simulated targets alongside international allies, and took part in the historic 1967 Centennial Cruises.

After completing advanced submarine escape training and surviving a close call when a malfunctioning dummy torpedo ricocheted off the side of his submarine, Lew requested a transfer back to the West Coast to be closer to home. He completed his service aboard the Second World War-era submarine HMCS Rainbow in Victoria, BC. Shortly after earning his prestigious Dolphin insignia—the internationally recognized mark of a qualified submariner—he was honourably discharged in 1971 to focus on raising his family.

Upon joining the Royal Canadian Legion, Lew seamlessly transitioned his “one for all, all for one” submarine mentality into a lifetime of community advocacy. Over the years, his involvement has spanned a wide variety of Legion Branches and experiences, including serving as President of Branch 256.

Having also previously served as the branch’s Sergeant-at-Arms, Lew continues to take immense pride in upholding formal protocols and the branch’s ceremonial traditions. He remains front and centre at annual Remembrance Day ceremonies and official veteran milestone events.

Through his ongoing leadership as 2nd Vice President and his steadfast dedication to keeping military history alive, Lew ensures that the unbreakable bonds of the military family remain strong at Branch 256.

Story by Kim Rogers PR & Media Chair