An Impressive Cadet Church Parade

Each spring the Corps gathers for our annual Cadet Church Parade. This would be a particularly special day as our Dutch friends would join us as part of Operation Friendship and march in the parade. Twenty Dutch students along with their teachers from Maasland College, Mr. Rob Lafferty and Mr. Robbert Von Zon, visted King’s-Edgehill School from April 9–17. Earlier in the day, Warrant Officer Rowan Francis ’27 taught our Dutch friends marching and drill so they could join in as their own platoon!

Cadets of the 254 take this as a sense of duty as they don their red Highland doublets, kilts, sporran, white belts, and spats. The outcome is a spectacularly attired Highland cadet corps that draws spectators out of their homes as we march downtown to Christ Church.

The Corps started the parade by forming up on the Tanna Turf shortly before 3:00 pm. Upon platoons reporting their numbers the RSM, CWO Ann MacQuarrie ’25, gave the command to march and off we went. The Drum Major, MWO Vinnie Armstrong ’25, led the way with Mil Band, Drumline, Pipes and Drums followed by all twelve platoons. Cadets could keep in step to the bass drum from the Drumline.

Lovely music from the cadet bands provided faculty, cadets and residents alike entertainment on the march to Church Parade. Bagpiping was from Pipe Major, MWO Ezra Sasaki ’26, amongst drumming, percussion and wind instruments from our talented marching musicians.

On this quiet afternoon in Windsor, music drifted through the town as a sea of red brought many to the sidewalk to watch us march by. There was a sort of innocuous amazement that 350 cadets could be so impressively attired in Highland reds and just show up.

The Dutch marched proudly in their platoon with the flag of the Netherlands flying high. Only months before in September of 2024 we celebrated 80 years since the liberation of Oss, Netherlands in 1944 through Operation Remembrance. This was with 20 King’s-Edgehill students, Mr. Kevin Lakes, Ms. Stephanie Fillman, Mrs. Kiaya Lakes and Captain James Skafte. We had the privilege of marching with the Dutch through the streets of Oss. It truly was an experience of a lifetime as we were cheered on.

The Colour Party proudly carried our Colours with WO Carter Cooling ’25 carrying the King’s Colour, Sgt Ray-Ray Gingras ’26 the Regimental Colour, Sgt Casey Underhill ’26 as the Senior Escort, Sgt Blake Kielty ’27 was the Regiment Colour Escort and Sgt Liam Nash ’26 as the King’s Colour Escort.

In no time at all we had marched downtown Windsor to Christ Church on King Street. Upon arriving at the Church, RSM Ann MacQuarrie halted the Corps and advanced everyone with a ‘left turn.’ The band was dismissed followed by the readers, chapel prefects, and Grade 6 choir. Once the Colour Party lined the stairs the Commanding Officer and RSM walked into the church followed by the Corps.

Once inside we were the greeters welcomed us with a smile. It was a pleasant surprise to see Mrs. Taya Shields who was the much-loved Director of Junior School and faculty member at KES for over 41 years. Mrs. Shields recently retired in June.

The service got underway once everyone was seated followed by the procession which included chapel prefects, readers, Head of School Mr. Joe Seagram and Corps Chaplain Rev’d David Curry. Once the Colour Party processed to the front they presented the Regimental Colour then King’s Colour to Rev’d Curry.

Of the many highlights in my second Church Parade was the readings which were all done by KES students and two Dutch students. There were reflections on conflict, our partnership with the Dutch and Holy Week that brings us to Easter which is celebrated in the Christian faith. The readers were well prepared and the choir sang with heavenly voices.

My thanks goes out to School and Corps Chaplin Rev’d David Curry who ensured that the annual Cadet Church Parade was especially meaningful to us and the Dutch, new Cadet Operations Officer Ms. Marion Robins, RSM CWO Ann MacQuarrie, DSM MWO Kail Brown ‘25, CIs, officers, and faculty members who were stationed at intersections so the 254 could march through the town.

Most importantly, my thanks to each cadet who showed up proudly representing the Corps, the School, and yourself as an individual and part of a truly great organization.

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