A Spectacular Cadet Church Parade — Issue 29

The annual Cadet Church Parade takes place in the early spring, as flowers are preparing to poke up through the soil after lying dormant over the winter. Soon the grass will turn from brown to green, and trees will shift from dull colours to being alive and full of colour.

 

Cadets of the 254 take this as a sense of duty as they don their Highland Reds. The result is a spectacularly attired Highland Cadet Corps that draws spectators out of their homes as we march downtown to Christ Church.

 

The 254 formed up for the big day on the track next to the Tanna Turf shortly before 2:45 pm. The first order of the parade was to recognize MWO Cam ’26 with the Army Cadet Service Medal for four years of service to the Corps. Head of School, Mr. Joe Seagram, pinned the medal on Cam.

 

Then the DSM, MWO Chris ’26, took charge of the Corps before turning it over to the RSM, CWO Will ’26. The RSM then gave the command to march, and we were off. The Drum Major, MWO Christian ’26, led the way with the Military Band, Pipes and Drums, followed by Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta Company. A steady “boom, boom” of the bass drum kept us smartly in step.

 

Our gifted musicians from the Military Band and Pipes and Drums provided entertainment for the Corps, faculty, and residents as we marched through the streets of Windsor. We are fortunate to have excellent pipers, including Pipe Major MWO Ezra ’26, Sgt Willoughby ’29, MCpl Altyn ’29, and MCpl Spencer ’30. Their instructors, CI Pat LePoidevin and Pipe Major Iain Lang, bring incredible expertise to the program.

 

The Colour Party proudly carried our Colours, with WO Tommy ’26 carrying the King’s Colour, WO Andrew ’27 the Regimental Colour, Sgt Isaac ’27 as the senior escort, Sgt Logan ’28 as the Regimental Colour escort, and Sgt Shelby ’27 as the King’s Colour escort.

 

In no time, we had marched downtown Windsor to Christ Church on King Street. Upon arriving, RSM Will halted the Corps and advanced everyone with a left turn before turning the parade over to the DSM. Once the Colour Party lined the stairs, the Commanding Officer and RSM entered the church, followed by the Corps.

 

Inside, we were greeted warmly before the service began. The procession included chapel prefects, readers, Head of School Mr. Joe Seagram, and Chaplain Madre Dawn-Lea Greer. The Colour Party then processed to the front and presented the King’s Colour and Regimental Colour to Madre Greer, who placed them in the stand to be displayed during the service.

 

One of the many highlights of the parade was the readings, all delivered by KES students. These were followed by a sermon from the Madre and music from the choir led by Ms. Madelyn Nielsen.

 

My thanks go to Madre Greer, who worked tirelessly on her first Cadet Church Parade to ensure the service was so well organized and meaningful. A sincere thank you as well to Operations Officer Captain Nicole Hastings, RSM CWO Will ’26, DSM MWO Chris ’26, the CIs, officers, and faculty members who worked together as a team to deliver another successful parade.

 

Most importantly, thank you to each cadet who proudly represented the Corps, the School, and themselves. This is an important year as we celebrate 145 years of cadets at King’s-Edgehill School.

 

Well done to the cadets of the 254. I am very proud of you.