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Cadets Support the Military

Cadet History

( adapted from A Century and Ten – The History of Edmonton Public Schools )

Timeline:

• 1879: The Canadian Department of Militia supplied equipment to schools that organized school cadet corps
• 1895: Cadets drill at the old Central School in Calgary
• 1907: Three cadet establishments organized in Edmonton
• 1914-1918: Cadets active in Edmonton
• 1919-1939: Cadet a form of physical training promoted by parents
• 1939-1945: Students obtained credits for joining cadets
  • important training for eventual military service
  • enables quicker advancement in the military

Cadets

(adapted from Canada at War October 1st, 1941)

The Cadets offer Canadian boys opportunities to obtain elementary military, naval or air training – training that will be of use when these boys enlist in the one of these three forms of service.

Military Cadets

Engrained in their programs, secondary schools throughout the country have cadet corps in which hundreds of thousands of boys learn the rudiments of soldiering.

Naval Cadets

The Sea Cadets of Canada have branches from coast to coast. These organizations provide training to young boys who gain thorough grounding in naval matters.

Air Cadets

Local air force commanders offer the cadets in the Air Cadet League of Canada training in various parts of Canada. The two year course offers basic training in aircraft and air fighting. Upon completion of the basic training, air cadets may specialize in one of these two areas.

Army Cadets Play Their Part in Canada’s Growth

(adapted from A Report by the Directorate of Public Relations (National Defence), Ottawa in Canadian Army Journal January 1956).

The Cadets were established long before Canada became a country and have been contributing to its growth ever since. The Cadet movement made its first appearance in 1861 when three Cadet Corps were formed at Trinity College, St. Hyacinthe College and, Bishop’s College School. They were known as “Associations for the Purpose of Drill.”

During the war years (1914-1945) the Cadets provided more than 160,000 volunteers to the war effort. More than 125,000 ex-Army Cadets voluntarily enlisted during the Second World War. Of this number, more than 19,000 of them received commissions and over 2700 were awarded decorations. Cadets have also provided Canada with material assistance on numerous occasions beyond war times. This is but a brief synopsis of the contribution the Cadets have made to the development of Canada as a country.

The following text is excerpted from Army Cadets Play Their Part in Canada's Growth and is adapted from "A Report by the Directorate of Public Relations", produced by the Department of National Defence (Ottawa) which appeared in the January 1956 issue of Canadian Army Journal.

Canadian boys have opportunities to obtain elementary training which will be of use to them when the time comes for them to enlist in one of the three services.

The Sea Scouts and Sea Cadets of Canada have branches from coast to coast. These organizations are providing boys of pre-military age with a thorough grounding in naval matters. Secondary schools throughout the country operate cadet corps in which hundreds of thousands of boys learn the rudiments of soldiering.

Organization of the Air Cadet League of Canada is proceeding rapidly. Training is supervised by local Air Force commands in various parts of Canada. The course covers two years and includes basic training in subjects relating to aircraft and air fighting. Upon completion of the basic training, air cadets may specialize in certain branches of these subjects.

Defence Training

“It is our sincere hope that the material collected in this book will render some service to the training of youth in making them conscious of the national need, so that they may be prepared to serve their country in any capacity for which they are fitted, should the need arise.”

References

A Century and Ten – The History of Edmonton Public Schools

Defence Training – An Elementary Manual for Defence Training in Secondary Schools J.M. Dent & Sons (Canada), Limited

Canada at War October 1st, 1941