King's-Edgehill prepares for annual Cadet Weekend

The Commanding officer and officers of the 254 King’s Edgehill Cadet Corps have announced the upcoming annual Cadet Weekend at the school.

The Sunset Ceremony will take place Friday, May 2, at 8 p.m.

KES Board of Governors chairman Harry Munro QC will be the reviewing officer.

The annual general inspection will get underway Saturday, May 3 at 9:30 a.m. for 10 a.m. Colonel D. Michael Day CD is the reviewing officer.

Following the Inspection, the cadets will attend a tree-planting ceremony, adjacent to the Ted Canavan Athletic Centre, in memory of Brandon Smith.

The Church Parade will take place Sunday, May 4. At 6:10 p.m., the Corps marches off to Christ Church for the 6:30 p.m. service.

This year the corps has 360 cadets.

The Cadet Corps began in 1881 and consisted of about two dozen cadets. The uniform was a double-breasted navy blue jacket and trousers with a white peaked cap. The uniform was very similar to that still worn by Naval officers, and while the corps was undoubtedly very smart, it could hardly be called dangerous as its rifles were made of wood.

In 1910, the uniform was changed to knee breeches, khaki jackets, puttees and forage caps. At this same time, the corps became affiliated with a Royal Canadian Artillery reserve unit, with headquarters in Windsor, Nova Scotia.

In 1921, during the Headmastership of the Rev. William Wallace Judd, the uniform was once again changed to that of a Highland regiment.

As Reverend Judd had close affiliation with the MacKenzies, the tartan adopted was that of the clan. Despite the fact, however, of the corps being Highland in appearance, the affiliation remained with the artillery.

Records also show the corps being affiliated with the Second Battalion West Nova Scotia Regiment during the 1940s.

In 1960, John Derrick became Headmaster and felt that, without being disloyal to former affiliates, it was essential that the corps should be affiliated with a Highland regiment. Negotiations were entered into with General Blackader, at that time Colonel of the Black Watch (RHR) of Canada, and approval was given that the Corps would be officially affiliated with the Watch.

All students between the ages of 12 and 19 participate in the School Cadet program once every week. The corps normally numbers around 330 in strength and is organized into two rifle companies of three platoons each; a band, a precision drill team, and a school flag party.

The leadership positions are filled by the students based on their ability, previous performance, and experience. They are guided and supervised by Cadet Instructor Cadre, who come mostly from the school teaching staff.

The King’s-Edgehill Cadet Corps is unique in that a large number of the students are outfitted and parade in full Highland dress uniforms, making an impressive group of young citizens displaying a dedication to continue the proud heritage of one of Canada’s oldest Army Cadet corps, as well as its affiliation with the Black Watch (RHC) of Canada.