FINAL CADET PARADE AT BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32448, 7 November 1970, Page 1

FINAL CADET PARADE AT BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Eighty-seven years ago a school cadet unit was formed at Christchurch Boy High School; at a ceremonial parade at the school yesterday afternoon the cadet systei ended with a certain nostalgia for some —and no complaints from the boys.

The reviewing officer, Brigadier J. T. Burrows (see picture above) spoke to the 850 boys on parade of the part played by the cadet battalion in the life of the school and the nation.

“I regret the circumstances which nave brought us to this the last cadet parade at this school, although I sympathise fully with the headmaster (Mr C. F. S. Caldwell) and the board of governors,” Be said.

Brigadier Burrows, after

reminiscing about earlier cadet parades and camps, said the unit had done much over the years. “I believe, because of the emphasis placed today on leadership and citizenship, that something else will emerge in due course at this school to take the place of the cadet unit,” he said. Mr Caldwell in a brief history of the cadet system at Christchurch Boys’ High School said that a voluntary corps of 30 boys led by Mr T. D. Ferguson was formed in 1883. It was issued with 50 rifles, bayonets and belts by the Government.

The unit made its first public appearance in 1887 for Queen Victoria’s jubilee and wore red uniforms for the occasion. In 1885 Major U. V. Richards was appointed as the first instructor. Mr Caldwell said the first cadet camp was held in 1902; five years later cadets became compulsory for pupils attending the school. The school band was formed in 1908.

The cadets wore khaki for the first time in 1912. The Ait Training Corps was introduced to the school cadet corps in 1941, and the Sea Cadets in 1952.

Mr Caldwell said the school’s cadet corps reached a roll of 1000 boys in 1956 and had remained near this figure in the ensuing years. WELL-KNOWN FIGURES

Among the well-known figures who had reviewed the cadets on parade were Lord Kitchener, Lord Jellicoe, General Godley and General Baden-Powell. Mr Caldwell drew attention to old boys of the corps who Sad attained senior rank in le armed services; six of whom at least had been chiefs of staff in New Zealand. They included (for the Air Force) Sir Andrew McKee, Sir Leonard Isitt, Air ViceMarshal M. F. Calder and Air Vice-Marshal I. G. Morrison; Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Phipps who in addition to being Chief of Naval Staff was also the

first Chief of the Defence Staff; and Lieutenant-General Sir Leonard Thornton, the present Chief of the Defence Staff.

Mr Caldwell said plans were being made for some similar activity which would replace the cadets, but said that this had yet to be defined. MEDAL PRESENTED Brigadier Burrows presented the Cadet Forces Medal to Lieutenant C. Campbell Hie medal is awarded for 12 years service with the cadets. The parade was commanded by Colonel G. Slatter. At the conclusion of the parade the flag was lowered by the parade R.S.M. (Mr M. MacDonald).

The cadet unit at Christchurch Boys' High School was one of the three oldest in the South Island. The others were at Nelson College and at Otago Boys’ High School.

Today there are only two schools in Christchurch with cadet units—St Andrew’s College and Christ’s College.