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#2862 Cadet Corps

Name -            Royal Montreal Regiment Cadet Corps

Location         Westmount, QC

Formed   January 20, 1970      Disbanded  Active    

Commanding Officers/Chief Instructors- 

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History -   

 This Corps was formed in Jan 70 under the sponsorship and affiliation of the Royal Montreal Regiment and designated the Royal Montreal Regiment Cadet Corps.

 

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In October 1969, LCol. R.C.P. Lawson, commanding, a start was made to establish a Regimental Cadet Corps under the guidance of Lieutenant (later Captain) R.E. Pedley, who came to the RMR from the city of Pointe Claire Cadet Corps to organize and recruit the necessary personnel. 

By 20 January 1970, the Cadet Corps was officially sponsored by the Regiment and recognized by The Army Cadet League of Canada, Ottawa, who allotted it the number "2862". 

In October 1970, Lieutenant F.V. Wall, the Quartermaster to the Cadet Corps and possessor of the "keys" was ordered to report to the Armoury to open the vault of the Regimental Quartermaster Stores by the senior RCR Officer in charge who had then taken complete possession of the Armoury in view of the political disturbances prevailing at the time. 

In May 1972, the ceremony that followed the Annual Church Parade to St. Matthias' Church, Westmount, LCol. T.A.M. Cauty, commanding, was a presentation of the Cadet flag to the RMR Cadet Corps, Major Nino Cesare, the Officer commanding, on the part of the RMR association, Quebec Branch No. 14, of the Royal Canadian Legion. The Corps DCO, Reverend Father Guy Trépanier, blessed the Cadet Flag. 

Much later, in 1986, by reason of a private agreement with the Legion Branch President, Comrade W.H. Turner, (an ex-RMR RSM), Captain F.J. Duffy, CD, commanding the Cadet Corps, arranged for the Cadet flags, when not on "parade" to repose in safety and dignity in their Legion Memorial Room near and on the same level at the Cadets quarters. 

The year 1973 was, by all accounts, of momentous proportions considering that in January female members were admitted for the first time and that some 40 joined the Cadet corps. The dress then was a green skirt, white blouse with a green tie and black beret. The wearing of the Regimental Cap Badge was not, at the time, permissible. By April 1973, such members were on parade for the Corps's inspection giving it a strength of 120, giving Captain Nino Cesare the opportunity of a promotion to Major. Other marks of success resulted in the Corps being recognized as the top in strength, the best in drill and the most efficient in the province of Quebec. 

The Following achievements are noteworthy:
Patricia McKenna joined as a cadet in 1973, and was the first female cadet sergeant in 1976 and commissioned as a 2Lt in May 1986, and now is the Administrative Officer of the Corps.
Dale Roberts was to be the Corp's first female Cadet WO, and later left to join the Permanent force.
Georgia Athanasiou was the first Cadet RSM in 1985.
Cadet John L. Cozak became the first Cadet RSM upon formation in 1970, later joined the Regiment to become RSM in 1981, and has gone to a senior formation post, earned the CD on the way, later graduating from Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario.
Captain R.H. Glen, CD., went through the ranks of the Regiment to become RSM in 1971-73, later commanded the Cadet Corps.
Captain Guy Trepanier, CD., served for many years with Cadet Corps, Commanding it from 1975-1978, and in many other capacities throughout the period. Being a Roman Catholic Priest, Father Trepanier, on many occasions acted as Regimental Chaplain, and earned deep affection from all. In 1976, he was sent to England, on exchange, for six weeks.
To College Militaire Royal, at St. Jean, Quebec, went Cadet Robert Cantin in 1975 and Cadet Robert Sarfi in 1986.
On a parachuting course went Cadet Antoine Fournier in 1979 followed by Cadet RSM James Sebe in 1986, while Cadet Vildan Beckbay went to Germany, on exchange, in 1978. 

The Corps is divided into two companies and they are named in honour of members of the RMR who fell in both World Wars. Vimy Company for World war I, and Leopold Company for World War II.