St Michaels University School - Black Red and Blue Yearbook (Victoria, British Columbia Canada)

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THE CADET CORPS The following appointments were sanctioned by the Headmaster: Cadet Captain ff-ff A. G. Beckton Cadet Lieutenant f P. F. Collett Cadet Lieutenant f f VJ. M. Riley Cadet Company Sgt.fMajor 1 D. l. Braide Cadet Company f'ff P. Vkfyllie A further change in syllabus requiring still more time for this branch of the School activities made the year's work more strenuous than ever before. The strength of the Corps was higher than that of the preceding yearg a large percentage had to start from scratch, and Heightfthirtiesw were rigorously indulged in until a satisfactory degree of cilieiency had been attained. The initial difliculties usually encountered at the beginning of each school year did not prove to be of a serious nature. We were fortunate in having some invaluable old stock left and due credit must be paid them for the hours of instruction they put in. The Corp: greatly benefited, too, from the Band which this year was larger and of a finer calibre than has been known for some time. Too much praise cannot be accorded Sgt. Carle and the mem' bers of the Band who were instrumental in bringing the Corps marching up to its traditionally high mark so quickly. After a lapse of four years we were enabled to go ahead with rifle drill again. Cooey rifles of medium weight were issued at the close of the Christmas Term and despite an epidemic of scarlet fever at the beginning of the Easter Term, a satisfactory start on rifle drill was made. Three vseeks of intensive training in the Gym broke the back of this portion of cadet workg by the time Inspection Day came along the Corps was really' proncient. Signalling occupied much spare time. In this, much credit is due to D. I. Braide, who, in addition to his normal duties, was always ready to give a helping hand. Our thanks to RSM. McKinf non of the Signal Corps who, visiting us on different occasions, straightened out various technical difliculties and gave invaluable advice to the class. An oflicial test in advanced and intermediate Morse was conducted by him early in May when Braide, Brown and McLarty were successful in theformer division, while eight out of eleven passed in the latter. Certihcates and bonuses will be mailed to successful candidates in due course. To C.Q.M.S. Wyllie was entrusted the training of the First Aid Group. He is to be warmly congratulated on the success that attended his efforts. Perhaps it will be feasible another year to arrange something of an oflicial nature whereby First Aid Certificates may be issued. Many hours were devoted to this particular branch of the 'Cadet work. A 31

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INSPECTION DAY-May 9th, 1945

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Owing to the cessation of hostilities in Europe and a brighter outlook in the Pacific, the authorities deemed it in order to relieve us of considerable stores and bulky gas equipment that at one time threatened to engulf us. Late in February Colonel Le Blanc, Chief of Staff of the Cadet Organization in Ottawa, paid us a surprise visit. In spite of the fact that our training had barely emerged from its elementary stage the Corps made a worthy effort at ceremonial for which it was duly commended. The Annual Inspection was scheduled for May 9th, at 14:00 hours, a considerably later date than usual. It rained-most unusual. As a further omen of misfortune, Col. MacGregor, V.C., Commanding the East Kent Regiment, was unable to take the salute owing to a last minute priority call, and it wasn't until 15 :OO hours that things got under way, when Major Pigot 2 ifc arrived. The ceremonial part of the proceedings took place in the rain and was followed by various group activities, some being held in the Gym, some in the Quad, the weather being the ruling factor. Dcspit: these setfbacks, the Corps showed its metal by putting on one of its best displays in recent years. A special word of praise is due to Sgt. Grant and his Bren gun teamg to Lieut Riley for his success with the Knotting Class, to Lieut. P. F. Collett for the masterly manner in which he conducted the Corps in P.T. under very adverse conditions, and to Captain A. Cp. Beckton who throughout the year proved himself a forceful and capable leader. The junior members of the School and the Cadet Corps headed by its Band gathered together at St. Luke's on Sunday evening, June 17th, and in a final and solemn service took leave one of the other. It was a Htting conclusion to a year of arduous training. 'Lv -w -I' CADET INSPECTION-May 9th, 1945' 32