Cadet Corp important to school history

Searching for hard copy, I remembered a young lady, Barbara (Theriau) Parnell, who headed the Girl's Rifle and Drill Team at one time. Incidentally, at the time, Barbara was the source of much information.

The first leaders of the Corps were, in succession: teachers Bert Wiles, Hubert Comstock and Murdock Bruce.

The first student Leader was Lieutenant Ledo Tonello in the year 1941. In 1942, it was Captain Bruce Thorburne: 1943-44, Major James Parker; 1945, Major Les Charest; 1946, Major Maurice Westhaver, 1947, Major Teddy McIsaac, 1948, and Major Oliver Millard, 1949. Following in succession were Majors Newman Scobey, 1950, Bernie Neilson, 1951, Sonny Theriau, 1952, Jim Boudreau 1953, Earl West, 1954, David Pottie, 1955. Major Reid Murphy also led the cadets at one time, but the year was not available at press time.

The Girl's Rifle and Drill Team was organized in 1954 with Anna Heartz as the leader. She was followed by Carol Ann Cameron in 1955; Roberta LeGault in 1956; and Captain Barbara Parnell in 1957.

An outstanding feature of the Cadet Corps was its brass band. Principal Rutherford H. Murray (Rah) was the first bandmaster. He was followed in that role by Bert Wiles and Frank Padmore.

The 133rd Field Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery was formed in January 1947, and in 1948, with Major Earl Lockwood in command, 1773 Cadet Corps was affiliated with the 14th Field Regiment, RCA, through the 133rd Battery in Liverpool. At that time, the Cadet Corps was authorized to wear the Royal Canadian Artillery hat badge.

The popular cadet band appeared extensively in Liverpool and area: providing music for inspections, at the old Liverpool ball park on Bristol Avenue and at yearly stage shows produced by the Liverpool Kinsmen Club. Several of the band's musicians play today in our local band and elsewhere in Canada.

The 1940s and 1950s were a great period in the history of our high school, and no doubt the "good ole days'' will be talked about this summer when former students from across Canada gather in Liverpool for the 2007 student Re-union.