Shawnigan Lake School - Yearbook (Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia Canada)

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Following the precedent of the previous year, the Guard and the Band on the evening of June 1st performed the Sunset Ceremony on the lawn before the Parliament Buildings at Victoria. Though the time available for practising for this ceremony was very limited, the Cadets selected drilled conscientiously in their spare time and as a result performing again almost faultlessly, were rated by the Officers from other units who judged the Sunset Ceremonies above most of the other Cadet Corps who turned out. During the performance A. B. Greenwood was awarded a swagger stick for being the smartest Cadet on parade. Immediately after the Sunset Ceremony the Guard and Band went for the week-end to H.M.C.S. Naden, where the various Corps on the Island had sent representatives. The activities began on Saturday morning with an inspection of all the Cadets by Commodore P. Budge, R.C.N. For this inspection and march-past Cougar had been asked to Mount the Guard, commanded by Lieutenant Archbold, whicli was complimented by the Inspecting Officer, as was the Band, who performed like veterans. In the sports, rifle shooting, whaler racing, track and field events, and tug-of-war pull, Cougar won everything except the shooting. The whaler race was close and exciting but the final pull against Alberni in the tug-of-war was won unexpectedly quick ' y because of some clever strategy suggested by Sub-Lieutenant Hyde-Lay. Three trophies came to Shawnigan as a result of these victories during the Sea Cadets ' week-end. No account of the events of the year, however, would be complete without an expression of the Corps ' gratitude to C.P.O. Birch, who soon earned the admiration of all and who gave us invaluable help and advice, and to Mr. A. Higgs who gave unstintingly of his time in the perfecting of the band. Both were always ready to make the long drive from Victoria to bring us their able assistance at crucial moments. As the final event of the year, presentations were made to both C.P.O. Birch and Mr. Higgs when, after the prize-giving on Speech Day, the P.O. ' s of the Corps gathered at Lieutenant and Mrs. Archbold s home for a buffet dinner and the presentations. Thus ended a most successful year in which the Cadets of R.C.S.C.C. Cougar proved they had the qualities of Champions. Amongst the graduating Cadets who have done well are Crisp, pursuing a career in the services and now attending H.M.C.S. Venture, where, we hear, he is thoroughly enjoying life; and McKechnie, studying at U.B.C., where he won a Navy League Scholarship. Our heartiest congratulations are extended to them both. cout ewd A small Troop of ten boys somewhat restricted activities during the year. Several hikes were held and one week-end camp at Cherry Point. All boys were invested and several almost qualified for 2nd class badges. A start was made on a small conservation project in June and we hope to complete it in the fall. Page Fourteen

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the Archbishop of British Columbia officiated and the school Chaplain, the Rev. J. H. Maunsell, presented the twenty-two candidates. As the choir processed to its stalls the congregation joined in the singing of the hymn, Come, gracious Spirit, heavenly Dove. Archbishop Sexton delivered the address and then seated at the Chancel steps confirmed those presented. As this service, one of the most beautiful of the year, came to a close the choir sang the well known hymn, Stand up, stand up, for Jesus. The following boys were presented for Confirmation: Peter Armstrong Anthony Benson Peter Brown William Foster David Hebb Christopher Lonsdale Shane Ryland Robert McKechnie John Shaneman John Mackenzie Anthony Pellett Charles Pentland Peter Pratt Robert Townsend Britton Varcoe Anthony Vincent Simon Wade Patrick Wallace James Walter Terrence Warren David Wilson Colin Yorath ft ti ea L adets R.C.S.C.C. COUGAR With the departure of Lieutenant Knighton to take over the Sea Cadet Corps at Duncan, Cougar was faced with a change in command, when Lieutenant Archbold became Commanding Officer in September. A further innovation was the policy within the school that should boys not wish to enlist in the Corps or in the Scouts they might have the afternoon free. The result was that enlistment in the Corps became purely voluntary. Very few boys in the school did not seize the opportunity to take advantage of the training offered bv the Cadet Corps. Taking these changes in its stride and attacking the year ' s work with enthusiasm and zeal, the Corps reached a high peak of efficiency by the time of the Annual Inspection, which was termed Cougar ' s best yet by the Sea Cadet Area Officer. Early in the year it was decided that Cougar should have three main objectives; namely, the development of a ceremonial march-past which would be simple but as nearly perfect as possible, the preparation of a fairly elaborate display of seamanship tor Inspection Day, and the creation of a Seamanship Hall which could be used for training in years to come. That these three objectives were attained was largely owing to the wholehearted determination with which the C.P.O. of the Corps, Colin Crisp, undertook his duties and to the excellent response those under him made to his demands. Of the three objectives, the creation of the Seamanship Hall was probably the hardest in that it had to be done in the Cadets ' spare time. The former Scout Hall and the old Printing Shop had to be painted and equipment and gear for these rooms obtained, cleaned, and installed. By the middle of May, after having spent many extr a hours of work mornings, afternoons and evenings, those interested in the project were delighted to see how close to realization the dream had come. On the bridge in the hall stood a binnacle and an engine-room telegraph, above it the ship ' s bell and name, on the right-hand wall a board displaying knots together with wall charts and diagrams; on the rear wall a sail with the names of its parts and a stay holding ropes which could provide the means for practising the tying of knots; on the left a whaler completely rigged and a quarter-boom with Jacob ' s Ladder; in the left-hand corner a model harbour for instruction in navigation. The Printing Shop, too, had been converted and, con- taining its full share of naval equipment made a suitable P.O. ' s mess. The Corps is much indebted to C.P.O. ' s Birch and Graves, R.C.N. , for providing so much of the equipment which was installed. It was their assistance that was largely responsible for making the Seamanship Hall an actuality. Undoubtedly the Cadets who undertook the developing of this hall will long be remembered as they have bequeathed to the Corps a means which is permanent of improving seamanship training. The climax of the year ' s training, of course, came on Inspection Day which, after two weeks of unseasonably warm weather, was cloudy and cool. The actual inspection over, Captain P. E. Haddon, R.C.N. , the Inspecting Officer and an Old Boy, took his place on the stand for the march-past. It was at this moment that Cougar demonstrated its skill and proficiency for the smoothness achieved by the Corps was to be seen in every movement. The demonstration of physical training and of seamanship which followed were of a high standard. In his address to the Cadets, Captain Haddon spoke of his pleasure in finding the general ef ficiency of Cougar excellent, a concrete proof that a fine esprit -de-corps and a high enthusiasm existed among Officers and Cadets. Later in the year when the Area Officer ' s report came, Cougar was stated to have been challenged by but one other Corps in B.C. and to have had its best year. Page Thirteen

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Wotf Cd flotes The Wolf Cubs had an enjoyable though uneventful year. Slightly higher membership gave two even Sixes, and competition was keen for both work and games, resulting in a good all-round standard. The Wigwam in the woods was completed, but in spite of high hopes the hot weather came too late into the examination period to enable the Cubs to sleep out. Mr. T Bounce Uhe Dramatic S ocieti The Society produced two main shows during the 1955-56 season and each showed an improved standard over that of the previous year. On the Old Boys ' week-end in November, the Society staged H.M.S. Pinafore by Gilbert and Sullivan. It was the first time that a full length operetta had been staged by the school, and it seemed to be extremely popular both with the audience and the participants. Particularly successful in their roles were Murray McAlpine as Captain Corceran; John Armstrong as Sir Joseph; John Mackenzie as Josephine and W. Muller as a Portsmouth Bumboat Woman. In March the Society produced its annual spring presentation, which consisted of four one- act plays. The first was a play put on by Copeman ' s House called Dream House. It was well directed by Mr. Curtis and the boys obviously enjoyed doing it. The second was Milne ' s The Ugly Duckling. This proved to be an excellent comedy and was very well directed by Mr. Orpen. T. Burrows, as the King, and C. Pentland as the Chancellor, performed particularly well in their roles and demonstrated a good deal of dramatic ability. The beautiful but very dumb maid, Dulcibella, was portrayed admirably by B. Varcoe. One of the finest contributions to the success of the production was made by P. Culter as the Prince. Others who took part were W. Muller, M. Nuttall-Smith and D. Ross. The third play was The Monkey ' s Paw by W. W. Jacobs. This was very difficult to put across because of the fact that it depends for its success almost entirely upon atmosphere. However, a very fine effort was made and all who took part are to be congratulated. These are A. Vincent as Mr. White, C. Malkin as Mrs. White, S. Ryland as Herbert, C. Kyles as Sergeant-Major Morris and R. McKechnie as Mr. Samson. The final play was another attempt by the staff to frustrate any efforts the Dramatic Society were making to achieve success. It was the farce, Box and Cox, by J. M. Morton. Mr. Box and Mr. Cox were played by Mr. Knibb and Mr. Larsen and the cockney landlady, Mrs. Bouncer, was executed by Mr. Hyde Lay. Page Fifteen