The RSA, which later became the RSL, was formed in 1916 by troops returning from war: initially these organisations were state based, but by November 1916it was agreed that a national organisation was required; this to be recognised by the government as the official representative of returned servicemen and women. The aims were simple: to preserve the spirit of mateship formed amidst the carnage of war, to honour the memory the fallen and to help each other. These tenets remain the same today as they did at the founding of the League more than a hundred years ago.

Our Sub Branch was originally formed at a meeting in the Lipson Hall on 29 December 1919. On 7 February 1920 a further meeting was held in the same hall and Mr S.L. Bates was elected President and Mr D.B. Excell was elected Secretary – there were 32 members. The Sub Branch was active until 1921, when it went into remission.

In July 1924 the Sub Branch was reformed, the President being Dr B.W. Wibberley and the Secretary Mr B.J. Symonds. In 1925 it was resolved to erect a memorial monument on the sea front to the memory of the fallen from the district. The monument was unveiled on the Kings Birthday, 7 June 1926, by the President. The memorial cost 200 pounds ($400), being raised by our Sub Branch (No government grants then).

During the Great Depression many members left the district and the Sub Branch was again closed.

On 9 February1935 the Sub Branch was again resurrected with Mr Player as President and regular monthly meetings were held, initially in the Tumby Bay Hotel and later in the Council Supper Room. At a meeting in 1944 it was agreed to build club rooms for the Sub Branch and Mr J.T. Mortlock was approached for the purchase of a block of land: he kindly donated the current site free of encumbrance, together with a 100 pound ($200) donation. At the end of 1950 the foundation was poured for the clubrooms and the foundation stone was laid by Mr Cyril Schramm on Anzac Day 1951. The total cost of the building and furnishings was raised by the members. The building was officially opened in May 1953 when 205 members and visitors were entertained at the opening function.

In early 2000 The membership had decrease to such an extent that it was thought that the Sub Branch would again close and the building be lost. Fortunately, with the support of the Tumby Bay Community, the Members and Affiliates - many of them elderly – rallied successfully to ensure the survival of the club. Many of the “old” diggers who had helped build the clubrooms had only one request: that the Sub Branch building be retained for their “final farewell”.

Since our near closure the Sub Branch has grown stronger and more active with both membership and affiliate membership once again increasing. We look forward to a strong future!

In February 2020 we celebrated the Centenary of the Club where the Governor attended and presented a copy of the original Articles of Incorporation for the Club to the President of the Club, Graeme Noske.

 The Club Rooms were recently refurbished with an upgrade of the kitchen and the inclusion of a large electrical generator. This was to further enhance our role as a Community refuge/resilience Centre; a role that was utilised to the full during the bushfires several years ago and was tested again recently during a prolonged electricity disruption.