A Story That Came Full Circle: The Story of Sandy Askewe-Power
At Branch 44, we are often reminded that behind every member is a story—and sometimes, those stories reach further back than we might ever imagine.
For dual member Sandy Askewe-Power, that story spans generations, connecting deeply to the history of tuberculosis care in British Columbia and to the origins of what we now know as the Tubercular Veterans Section of the Legion.
Through her research, Sandy uncovered a remarkable family legacy that begins with her great-great-grandfather, Joseph Blackburn Greaves—a pioneer in British Columbia’s ranching industry and a significant supporter of early health care in the province.
In the early 1900s, Greaves played an important role in strengthening medical services in the Interior, including his involvement with the Nicola Valley General Hospital. His contributions extended across British Columbia, supporting institutions such as Vancouver General Hospital and St. Paul’s Hospital at a time when tuberculosis was devastating communities.
Following his passing in 1915, his estate made a substantial contribution to the British Columbia Anti-Tuberculosis Society—a gift that would help shape the future of care in the province. But as Sandy discovered, this legacy was not only one of philanthropy—it was also deeply personal.
Her great-grandfather, Private Joseph Benjamin Greaves, served in both the Boer War and the First World War. During his service, he was exposed to gas in 1917—an injury that caused lasting damage to his lungs. Like many veterans of that time, his health challenges eventually led him to Tranquille Sanatorium, where tuberculosis patients—including many veterans—received long-term care.
It was within places like Tranquille that veterans began organizing to support one another, laying the foundation for what would eventually become the Tubercular Veterans Section.
For many years, these pieces of Sandy’s family history existed separately.
It wasn’t until she became a member of Branch 44 and began learning more about the history of the Tubercular Veterans Section that those connections became clear.
As Sandy has shared, this discovery brought her family’s story “full circle”—connecting generations of service, health care advocacy, and lived experience in a way she had never fully seen before.
Today, she continues to honour that legacy through her work as a dual member of Branch 44 and Branch 173, and through her involvement in Poppy, Youth, and Service Officer initiatives.
Her story is a powerful reminder that the history of the Legion is not only found in archives—it lives within our members.
And sometimes, those stories are closer to us than we realize.
