Technically, the 2136 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps isn’t part of the Canadian Scottish Regiment.
That doesn’t mean the youth group won’t be playing a key role in the army reserve regiment’s 100th anniversary celebrations this weekend in Victoria.
The cadet corps, which shares space with the regiment at the Bay Street Armoury, is a youth affiliate of the Canadian Scottish and is honoured to have been asked to participate in the event, says corps commander officer Capt. Cheryl Fearn.
“We draw from them, in the form of personnel support and material support,” says Fearn, a civilian volunteer who got involved in 2003 when her oldest son, Tyler joined cadets, and became an officer two years later. “We very much identify with them and there is a pride that comes with being a Canadian Scottish cadet. We’re the only cadet corps authorized to wear the (Scottish) kit.”
On Tuesday night, members of the cadet corps drum and pipes band were tucked inside the band room at the armoury, going over their material to be played this Sunday during the parade and review taking place at Royal Athletic Park.
Before practice the corps’ drum major, Cadet Master Warrant Officer Amber Maguire, 18, reflected on how it felt to be participating in such a historic event in her final year of cadets.
“I’m really excited,” she said. “We have a lot of pride in the fact our cadet corps is attached to such a great regiment.”
In her fifth year with the corps, the Spectrum community school grad and future law student said the centennial offers the older cadets an opportunity to teach the younger ones about the importance of history to the regiment and its affiliates.
“It’s quite an honour for any of us to take part in an event like this,” she said. “We learn all about our history as part of (the cadets program).”
The cadet corps, one of four Island cadet groups taking part in the weekend activities, is historic in its own right, at 68 years old.
But for this weekend, at least, the spotlight will be on the regiment and its history.
“I think it’s crucial that we show them the same support that they show us,” Fearn said.
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100th birthday celebrations
The 100th anniversary of the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) includes three public events Sunday (Oct. 21):
• 11 a.m. The Regimental Church Parade will occur at Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria, followed by a wreath laying next door in Pioneer Square at noon.
• 12:45 p.m. The full regiment, including members of the Pipes and Drums corps, will don full ceremonial highland uniforms and lead some 200 old guard (former) regimental soldiers and cadets from four Vancouver Island communities for presentation at Royal Athetic Park to Lt.-Gov. Steven Point.
• 3 p.m. Freedom of the City parade through downtown Victoria, winding up at Vioctoria City Hall at 3:45 p.m.