List of Royal Military College of Canada memorials

This is a list of Royal Military College of Canada memorials and traditions.

Pre-World War I memorial plaque dedicated to Royal Military College of Canada ex-cadets William Grant Stairs, Huntly Brodie Mackay, and William Henry Robinson

Skylarks

Glider in Royal Military College of Canada Cadet Dining Hall, 2012
Year Skylark - annual class practical joke or prank
1933 A toy cannon made in the college mechanical engineering lab was fired down the hallway of Fort Lasalle.
1960 Declaration of martial law over the Queen's University model parliament and the taking into "protective custody" of the prime minister.
1961 Liberated Queen's University quarathon football returned via airplane to stadium.
1962 Lost rifles (minus breech blocks) "stored" in Fort Haldimand vault.
1964 Lifted a VW Beetle to Fort LaSalle landing.
1965 Toilet paper shot from cannons.
1974 A cadet's car, an MG, was left in second floor of RMC library.
1976 Cadets painted tank pink.
1979 Cadets used dental floss to ring the Spanish bell hanging in front of the Stone Frigate.
1979 Cadet climbed the Memorial Arch and painted "4 SQN" in the gravel on its surface. A squadron-mate flew over in a Cessna and took a photograph.
1984 Mackenzie Building Tower clock converted into a Mickey Mouse clock.
1993 While a cadet spent spring break in Florida, cadets took shifts to keep the hot air poppers going to fill his room in Fort Haldimand with popcorn.
2003 During grad parade practice, a piper had a fake double of himself (in full regalia) tossed from the bell tower of the MacKenzie building after the piper-solo.
2007 Cadets set off a fireworks display during morning parade.
2008
  • The "Brucie" statue decked out in traditional Aboriginal dress by students from the Aboriginal Leadership Opportunity Year (ALOY)
  • "Headless horseman" appeared at a parade.
  • "RMC" was painted on the field of Richardson Stadium by civil engineering students and was visible for the Queen's homecoming football game, which was televised nationally.
2010 The "Brucie" statue was decked-out in Queen's University '10 coveralls featuring a Superman "Q" on the front.
2011 A Victorian era cannon was found in the middle of the Cadet Dining Room.
2012
  • An air cadet glider measuring 54 ft by 27 ft was found in the middle of the Cadet Dining Room (picture above).
  • Tables in the Cadet Dining Hall were rearranged to say "C Div".
  • Cadets rolled a period 25-pounder cannon into the middle of the parade square, with a 12 squadron banner taped onto it.
  • Spanish Bell unbolted from in front of the Stone Frigate and carried by 6 squadron for the duration of the FYOP Obstacle Course.
2013
  • 1 Squadron Cadets converted the steps of the Currie Building into a ship, HMCS Hudson.[1]
  • 8 Squadron Cadets announced that the commandant's 20+ year old car was for sale for $8.
2015
  • 5 Squadron Cadets placed a torpedo on the parade square before morning parade.
2017
  • 7 Squadron placed a torpedo at the main entrance of the Cadet Dining Hall, becoming a fire hazard and leading to the permanent fixture of the torpedo on its pedestal.

Traditions

King's Colour of Royal Military College of Canada
Tradition Significance
blanket toss Blanket toss of senior class members after the last waltz at the Graduation Ball.
cadet diary Some cadets wrote their diary on their t-square in India ink, while others wrote on their books. The museum retains examples of diaries from the 1890s to the present day.
cake walk Minstrel show/stage show on St. Patrick's Day is rewarded by a cake.
Casey's Grave Cadets are expected to recite, on demand from seniors, RMC facts and trivia (no longer practiced, nor required). This inscription is a favourite: "Casey, for 18 years my faithful charger in peace and war. Died on duty April 2nd 1925 age 29 yrs. A.C. Macdonell".
ceremonial mace Carried into the ceremony and placed on stage to signal the opening of the convocation.
change of command ceremony The former commandant offers farewell and best wishes to the college and to the new Commandant. The new commandant accepts a first salute as the cadet wing marches past.[2]
Christening bell Following naval tradition, a ship's bell is used as a baptism font in the college chapel for christenings and the names of the children are later inscribed on the bell. The ship's bell at RMC was used previously at Royal Roads Military College.
Church parade Officer cadets participate in a full regalia parade from RMC to Kingston City Hall on the last Sunday of the academic year. The intent is to have every available cadet take part. In the past, the church parade was from RMC to St. George's Cathedral (Kingston, Ontario).
Copper Sunday In a tradition dating to 1882, Officer cadets attend various Kingston churches on the last Sunday of the academic year. While RMC does not to influence cadets toward any particular religion, the goal is to expose the cadets to the typical processes and procedures of religious ceremony, should they need to carry out Assisting Officer duties in the future. The name comes from the custom of cadets gathering their pennies for collection into the offering plate.
College Cheer The RMC Cheer is used at all significant sporting events between RMC Paladins and other university teams. Call: Gimme a beer! Response: Beer! Esses! Emma! T-D-V! Who can stop old RMC! Shrapnel, cordite, NCT! R-M-C!
College Coin Every new officer cadet is issued a challenge coin upon completion of First Year Orientation Period. The coin is engraved with the name of the college in French and English surrounding the college crest on the obverse. The Cadet's college number and the Memorial Arch are on the reverse surrounded by the motto in both languages.
college toast RMC club toast to absent comrades, meaning those who have fallen in action or who have died.
Divisional Christmas mess dinner The youngest cadet of the division makes a short speech, requesting one holiday wish from the DCdts for the rest of the division; the wishes from the division dinners will make the exam period less stressful for the Cadet Wing (e.g. permission to wear combat uniforms while writing their exams).
Drill Fest During the weeks immediately following winter-term exams up until graduation, the wing practices for graduation parade multiple times a day seven days a week, often for up to six hours in blocks of three hours.
Feux de Joie An honour guard perform a rifle salute with field artillery, or more commonly, rifles using blank ammunition.
Freedom of the City This privilege was bestowed to the RMC in 1976 by City of Kingston on the occasion of its centenary to march through the city "with bayonets fixed, colours flying and drums beating" was granted "until such time as the Cataraqui runs dry."[3]
Freedom of the fort While in Fort Frederick (Kingston, Ontario), officer cadets are equal independently of their year. They are also allowed to remove their headgear.
"Goodnight Saigon" This song is played for and sung by first-year cadets at lights-out during the First-Year Orientation Period.
Graduation Congratulations
  • Peter Mackay, RMC Chancellor and Defence Minister, started a new tradition at RMC in 2008 when he asked graduates to stand and congratulate those near them.[4]
Graduation and Commissioning parade In honour of graduating cadets:
  • Graduating students are presented with their Officer's Commissions in the Canadian Forces.
  • Officer Cadets display their foot drill and sword movements.
  • Feux de Joie an honour guard performs a rifle salute with field artillery.
  • Graduates march through Memorial Arch for the last time as Officer Cadets.
Jacket exchange The senior officer (the Commandant or the Director of Cadets) exchanges tunics with the youngest Officer Cadet at the annual RMC Christmas Dinner. The Christmas dinner follows the tradition from the army where senior officers serve the junior members who usually serve them throughout the year.
Just passing By When a graduate of the RMC pilots an aircraft in the vicinity of Kingston, Ontario he or she conducts an impromptu airshow over the College.[5]
Memorial Arch New officer-cadets pass through the Commemorative Arch as a class on their first day of university and upon graduation. Other than on Remembrance Day and in the course of other special parades (i.e. Battle of Britain), church parade, officer-cadets do not pass under the arch as a class before their graduation from college.[6]
Memorial Arch architectural sculpture A helmeted head stands in high-relief from the keystone. The face is extremely expressive and its parted lips seem to shout Rupert Brooke's poem, "The Dead".[6]
Memorial Arch poem Chiselled into the stone of the Memorial Arch are the opening lines of Rupert Brooke's poem, The Dead: "Blow out, you bugles, over the rich Dead. There are none of these so lonely and poor of old, but dying has made us rarer gifts than gold." First-year cadets are required to memorize the quote.[6]
Memorial stairway Sir Archibald Macdonell had the administration-building staircase lined with paintings of ex-cadets who died on military service.
Memorial trees The ex-cadets who died on military service during World War I are honoured by the birch trees located in the lawn at the west end of the Administration Building.
obstacle course race Gruelling course for recruits set up by the cadets' immediate predecessors, memorialized by a sculpture
Old 18 First-year cadets are required to memorize the names of the first class in the order of their college numbers.[7]
Old 18 A historical drill team at RMC who perform at the "Sunset Ceremony" (a military tattoo the night before the graduation parade). Eighteen cadets, dressed in formal scarlet uniforms and wielding late 19th-century Enfield rifles fend off an attack by cadets dressed as rebels using similar rifles of smaller caliber.[8]
Old Guard The founding members of the QCMG. Established by a select group of cadets sometime around 1989, the QCMG existed within the cadet population. Upon graduation, departing QCMG cadets would be responsible for selecting a suitably deserving first year cadet to take their place in guard, ensuring its survivability. However, only the founding members were ever referred to as the "Old Guard".
Old Brigade Alumni who entered military college 50+ years before wear unique berets and ties, have the Right of the Line on reunion weekend memorial parades, and present the college cap badge to the First Year cadets on the First Year Badging Parade. Each class traditionally marks its 50-year anniversary and entry into the Old Brigade with a gift.
Parade square Recruits run the square at all times until they have successfully completed their first year. (no longer practiced, nor required)
Road and area names Sir Archibald Macdonell gave Great War names to all the roads and areas of RMC.
Royal winers Unofficial Department of Oenology at RMC cofounded by Dr. Lubomyr Luciuk; motto: "Age leaves us fine wines and friends."[9]
shouldering professors At closing exercises, cadets carried professors around the room.
Sir John A Macdonald An annual dinner held at RMC Senior Staff Mess, since 2001 featuring toasts and stories celebrating the birth of Canada's first Prime Minister.[10]
Smokers Social gatherings at RMC that raise money for an event, group, or charity through the collection of "cover" or admission at the door. Smokers can include performances, with shows presenting a collection of sketches and comedy songs.
Snowball fight Annual RMC snowball fight (all Sqns against #1 Sqn).
Snow sculpture Annual RMC snow sculpture competition in Confederation Park with Queen's. RMC's entry was modelled after the MacKenzie Building (2008) and the Memorial Arch (2007).
Spider A spider web based stained glass window, made by Stone Frigate Class of 1983 honours the squadron mascots, as spiders were common in the (pre-modernized) building. The window has a Plexiglas shield to avoid damage during annual snowball fight.
Sunset ceremony A military tattoo held the night before the graduation parade which demonstrates skills and interests cultivated at RMC.

The 2013 performances:

  • the RMC Precision Drill Team performed a silent precision drill routine including the throwing of rifles, rifle salutes and sword drill movements.
  • the Old Eighteen Historic Drill Team demonstrated the military dress, drill and tactics of the period when the Old Eighteen originally enrolled in the first class of Royal Military College, 1876, under the training hands of Sergeant-Major Mortimer and Captain Ridout.
  • the Naval Gun Crew provided artillery support
  • the Sandhurst Military Skills Team, tae kwon do, cheerleading, and fencing teams,
  • the outgoing and incoming Colour Parties, accompanied by the Guard of Honour carrying the provincial flags on parade, performed the exchanging the colours. The Colour Party consists of a party commander, two flag bearers carrying the RMC stand of colours and two rifle escorts.
  • Canadian Forces parachute demonstration team, the SkyHawks from Trenton, Ontario.
  • Aboriginal Leadership Opportunity Year (or ALOY) program students performed the Bear Song, the Sobriety Song and the Migma Honour Song on a large ceremonial drum with vocal accompaniment
  • The Sandhurst Military Skills team rappelled from LaSalle dormitory and performed simulations and obstacle course.
  • The Tae Kwon Do team showed discipline and fortitude in their display of the martial art.
  • RMC's Pipes and Drums, Brass Band, and Highland Dancers, perform Star Wars, Highland Laddie, The Retreat, The Tattoo, O Canada and Amazing Grace
  • During the Sunset Ceremony, the Commandant's Pennant, RMC School Flag, Canadian Forces Flag and Canadian National Flag are lowered
  • Fireworks concluded the tattoo [11]
Sweetheart brooch officer cadets gave their dates an enamel brooch in lieu of a corsage for formal dances at Christmas, RMC-West Point, and Graduation. The museum retains several examples.
Wake up or Panic song officer cadets have the duration of a song to get up, shave, make their beds, dress and stand for inspection. Tango Flight (7 Sqn)'s song in 1993 was "Happiness in Slavery", by Nine Inch Nails. Cartier Flight's wake up song was "Dead on Time" and they went to sleep to Corey Hart's "Never Surrender". Other popular songs include "O Fortuna" and "The Bodies Hit The Floor".
War Memorial flag Flag with Union Flag on background was adorned with 1100 green maple leaves bearing name of RMC cadets who served in war. The red maple leaves in the centre memorialized cadets who were killed in action. The flag hung in St. George's Cathedral until 1934, when the flag began to disintegrate.

Class gifts

Class Endowment
1955 RMC Museum
1956 1956 Leadership Library Collection
1957 RMC TV Station
1958 Lecture series on emerging 21st-century global issues
1959 RMC Library
1960 College/Principal choice
1961 Birchall Pavilion and maple trees
1962 RMC Library
1963 RMC Wall of Honour commemorating outstanding alumni
1964 RMC Library
1965 RMC Professorship
1966 Gazebo/Leonard Birchall Pavilion

RMC Militaria collectibles

  • Royal Military College of Canada Officer Cadet action figure, made for 2006 Great Canadian Action Figure Convention in Kingston, Ont. The male model figure can wear a 1st year scarlet dress uniform jacket with academic achievement badges or a 4th year senior cadet's #4s patrol jacket with academic and sports badges, plus belt with a dress navy trousers with red piping. In addition, the figure wears leather ankle boots with Vibrom soles, leather gaiters, leather belt with metal RMC buckle, and a leather bayonet frog. The arms include a metal C7 rifle and metal bayonet with metal scabbard. The box features RMC landmarks and a description of the College in English and French.[12]
  • Royal Military College of Canada Officer Cadet 54mm pewter Toy Soldiers include: Cadet Squadron Leader with sword and four first year cadets with FNC1 rifle. The female and male cadets are dressed in Scarlet Ceremonial uniforms with white belts, pillbox hats, dark trousers with red piping, gaiters and black boots.[13]
  • Royal Military College of Canada officer cadet 'Gentlemen Cadet' 80 mm metal figure No. 53 c. 1980 by Chas C. Stadden Studios.[14]

Currie Hall

Coat of arms of Canada on Currie Hall Mackenzie Building Royal Military College of Canada

General Sir Arthur Currie officially opened Currie Hall at Royal Military College on 17 May 1922. General Sir Arthur Currie made the following comments, "I cannot tell you how utterly embarrassed and yet how inexpressibly proud I am to witness this ceremony, and to be present when this hall is officially opened. This hall is to commemorate the deeds of our fellow comrades whom it was my great honour and privilege to command during the latter years of the War."[15] The Currie Hall is decorated with the crests and battle colours of every unit that fought in France during World War I.

His Excellency John Ralston Saul (February 2004) described the Currie Hall decorations, "This is an astonishing hall in which to speak. If you gaze up at the initials on the ceiling and at the paintings and the painted insignia around the walls, you are reminded that Canada is not a new country."... "Militarily speaking, we have been at it for a long time. This hall is a conceptualisation of our participation in the First World War. All of that grandeur and tragedy is pulled together here in a remarkable way. I'm not sure that we could reproduce a hall of this sort to describe our military experiences of the last half century."[16]

Memorial arch

The Memorial Arch, at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, built in 1923, is a monument which honours the memory of ex-cadets who have died in combat or while attending the College. The Memorial Arch, designed by John M. Lyle, is an example of the Beaux-Arts architecture. Lyle's design won a competition in which seven Canadian architects were invited to compete. Leigh French singles out the Memorial Arch as "an outstanding example of coherent purpose and well considered form, unlike many of the war memorial projects that emerged immediately after World War I".[17] The Indiana limestone arch on a base of Quebec granite was built at a cost of $75,000.[18]

The arch was unveiled by Mrs. Joshua Wright, mother of two cadets who gave their lives in the First World War. #558 Major G.B. Wright, DSO, RCE, was killed in action in France on 21 May 1915. #814 Major J.S. Wright, 50th Bn CEF, was killed in action in France on 18 Nov 1916.[19]

The memorial includes the following texts:[20]

The RMC Memorial Arch provides a list of officer cadets who were killed in action or died from wounds suffered in action under the following headings:[20]

Two bronze plaques on the flanking plinths of the Arch, which were unveiled by the Governor General on 15 September 1949, commemorates the fallen from World War II. As required, names of those lost in Korea and on peacekeeping and other military operations have been added.

Historical pieces of artillery

88mm gun monument at the Royal Military College of Canada.
HMCS Huron (G24) X Guns, Royal Military College of Canada
88mm gun monument at the Royal Military College of Canada.
Bailey bridge at Royal Military College of Canada constructed in 2004 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Engineering Branch
Artillery or ordinance Description Location
Blomefield SBML 32-pounder Gun,[21] weight 57-0-2, (6,386 lbs), Carron, 1806, King George III cypher Fort Frederick Tower 3 North
Blomefield SBML 32-pounder gun weight 56-3-0, (6,084 lbs), Carron, 1807, King George III cypher Fort Frederick Tower 3 East
Blomefield SBML 32-pounder gun weight 56-0-25, (6,025 lbs), Carron, 1811, King George III cypher Fort Frederick Tower 3 West
Blomefield SBML 32-pounder gun, Walker Co, King George III cypher Parade Square North East
Millar SBML 32-pounder gun weight 64-2-10 (7,234 lbs), Walker Co, 1842, King George III cypher Fort Frederick 2
Blomefield SBML 32-pounder gun weight 67-0-9 (7,513 lbs), Carron, 1807, King George III cypher Fort Frederick 3
Blomefield SBML 32-pounder gun weight 53-0-25 (5,961 lbs), Walker Co, King George III cypher Fort Frederick 5
Blomefield SBML 32-pounder gun weight 64-3-0 (7,252 lbs), Walker Co, 1842 Fort Frederick 6
Blomefield Palliser conversion of a SBML to RML 32-pounder gun RGF, 1870, Queen Victoria cypher Paint Yard
Blomefield Palliser conversion of a SBML to RML 32-pounder gun Queen Victoria cypher Paint Yard
Blomefield SBML 32-pounder gun Walker Co, King George III cypher Crerar Gateway West
Blomefield SBML 32-pounder gun weight 50-1-14 (5,670 lbs), Walker Co, King George III cypher Crerar Gateway East
Blomefield SBML 32-pounder gun Carron, 1807, King George III cypher Fort Haldiman
Blomefield SBML 32-pounder gun King George III cypher MacDonald West
Blomefield SBML 32-pounder gun Walker Co, King George III cypher MacDonald East
SBML 24-pounder gun weight 20-0-4 (2,244 lbs, weight of a 6-pounder), 1847, Queen Victoria cypher Fort Frederick North East 1, mounted on long wooden carriage
SBML 24-pounder gun weight 20-0-0 (2,240 lbs, weight of a 6-pounder), 1847, Queen Victoria cypher Fort Frederick 7, mounted on long wooden carriage
SBML 24-pounder brass gun weight 12-3-7 (1,435 lbs), 1843, CLXXV (175), Queen Victoria cypher, DEMD Senior Staff Mess North
SBML 9-pounder brass gun weight 13-2-0 (1,512 lbs), FM Eardly-Wilmot, 1859, Queen Victoria cypher, 4862 Senior Staff Mess South
SBML 9-pounder brass gun 1813, Dolphin handles, DLVIII (558), King George III cypher flagpole East
SBML 9-pounder brass gun 1812, Dolphin handles, CCCLIV (354), King George III cypher flagpole West
SBML 32-pounder gun Carron, weight 17-3-7 (1,995 lbs) Fort Frederick Tower 2 North West
SBML 32-pounder gun Carron, 1808 Fort Frederick Tower 2 North
SBML 32-pounder gun Carron, 1804 Fort Frederick Tower 2 North East
SBML 32-pounder gun Carron, weight 17-3-7 (1,995 lbs) Fort Frederick Tower, Main South
SBML 32-pounder gun Carron, weight 17-3-11 (1,999 lbs) Fort Frederick Tower, Main North
SBML 32-pounder gun Carron, weight 17-1-21 (1,953 lbs) Fort Frederick Tower, Main North East
SBML 10-inch 52-cwt mortar weight 18-x-x (>2,000 lbs), Walker Co, 1856, shot in the muzzle Stone Frigate North
SBML 10-inch 52-cwt mortar weight 18-1-9 (2,053 lbs), shot in the muzzle Stone Frigate South
Armstrong RBL 7-inch 72 cwt gun weight 81-3-3 (9,159 lbs), 1862, Queen Victoria cypher mounted on a long wooden carriage, Fort Frederick 4
Blomefield SBML 12-pounder gun 4.75-inch2 foot long gun fragment Fort Frederick Tower B
Blomefield SBML 12-pounder gun 4.75-inch, 2 feet 5 inches long, embedded in the road at a 30-degree angle Main Gate North
Blomefield SBML gun, 4.75-inch 2 feet 5 inches long, embedded in the road at a 30-degree angle Main Gate South
German Second World War 8.8-cm 7.5 cm Infanteriegeschütz 37 FlaK 37 Anti-Aircraft Gun, (Serial Nr. R5456) 1042 CXX (120) Crerar Crescent
German Second World War 8.8-cm Panzerabwehrkanone 43 (8.8-cm PaK 43) anti-tank gun, Breeching Ring (Serial Nr. R1243) Crerar Crescent
Ordnance QF 25-pounder gun Reg No. 16055 Massey Library, by the Cadet statue
M109 155-mm self-propelled howitzer (Reg. No. 77225), 1985, AC: AX, ECC: 119205 HUI C: 1941, SAUI C: 1941, VMO No. DLE29685, VMO Date: 09 Dec 2002 Training Aid, RMC

Memorials

F-86 Sabre monument at the Royal Military College of Canada
Commemorative Arch
Other Description Location
  • The 4 in (100 mm) QF 4-inch/45 Mk XVI Twin Naval Guns mounted in Mk XVI turret taken off HMCS Huron [22]
SIL1944, Breech S 13769, HMCS Huron, Barrel No. 1 (Serial No. 14492), 1944, and Barrel No. 2 (Serial No. 13760), 1944. Refurbished with the financial support of the ex cadet club 2010 Crerar Crescent
  • Carriage Lamps
donated by Class of 1985 on Crerar Gates

In the colours of 414 (electronic Warfare) squadron (Serial No. 18731), (Serial No. 100731), silver, presented by the RMCC class of 1972 refurbished with the financial support of the ex cadet club and rededicated on October 6, 1996.

  • at RMCC near the 'Canadian Army Command and Staff College' (CACSC)[23]
  • (Serial No. 23221), camouflage, presented by Class of 1968, refurbished by RMC Club 1996.
76-mm Gun, (Serial No. 65021), "Athene", presented by Class of 1971 & refurbished with the financial support of the ex cadet club 2010 mounted on a Bailey Bridge, Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario

20-pounder main gun, CFR No. 52-81053, from Class of 1979. refurbished with the financial support of the ex cadet club 2010

Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario
Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario
  • from Class of 1966
behind Fort Champlain
Beside the Memorial Arch
  • from Class of 1966
runs via Potters Lodge to Massey Building
  • from the Class of 1956
in Mackenzie Building
  • oil painting by William Irving shows representative figures from all of the Corps and regiments of the British army in which ex-cadets of RMC of Canada served.
  • the British Army presented RMC with the painting in 1976 on the occasion of the College's Centennial.
in "Heritage Room" in Mackenzie Building

Commemorative and memorial stained glass windows

Location Date Description Manufacturer Inscription Window
Sir Arthur Currie Hall 1973 1 light Oak tree and crest Robert McCausland Limited honours Class of 1958
Sir Arthur Currie Hall 1970 1 light Royal Canadian Dragoons Robert McCausland Limited honours 2770 LCol KL Jefferson
Sir Arthur Currie Hall 1967 1 light Antique window navy league Robert McCausland Limited * In memory of David H. Gibson, C.B.E. National President, Navy League of Canada, 1938-1952
Sir Arthur Currie Hall 1968 1 light Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Crest Robert McCausland Limited * In memory of Colonel Edward Geoffrey Brooks DSO OBE CD 1918-1964 staff adjutant 1948-1950 by classes of 1948-52
Sir Arthur Currie Hall 1968 1 light Dieppe Dawn Robert McCausland Limited * In memory of Dieppe Dawn 19 August 1942 by classes of 1948-52
Sir Arthur Currie Hall 1967 1 light Coronation flag and crest Robert McCausland Limited
Sir Arthur Currie Hall 1973 1 light Royal Canadian Engineers Crest Robert McCausland Limited
Sir Arthur Currie Hall 1966 1 light Royal Horse Guards and family crest Robert McCausland Limited
Sir Arthur Currie Hall 1967 1 light Antique window Robert McCausland Limited * Navy League Cadet Corps (Canada) Navy League Wrennette Corp Navy League Cadet Corps (Canada) Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Navy League Cadet Corps (Canada), Memorial Stained Glass Window, Currie Hall, Currie Building, Royal Military College of Canada
Roman Catholic Chapel 1938 1 light Emblem Lamb of God carrying a flag Robert McCausland Limited
  • To the memory of the class entering in 1938 who gave their lives for Canada.
Roman Catholic Chapel 1963 1 light Emblem lilies and M Robert McCausland Limited
  • Dedicated to the memory of our beloved son S/L Ian G.A. Mcnaughton, R.C.A.F., RMC 2588. Born 6 Nov. 1919. Killed in Action over Germany, 23 June 1942. R.I.P.
Roman Catholic Chapel 1963 1 light Crest Robert McCausland Limited
  • Donated by the Kingston branch of the Royal Military College Club of Canada, May 1963.
Roman Catholic Chapel 1963 1 light Alpha Omega Bible and Torch
  • Donated by Mrs. Oliver Tiffany (Kit) Macklem in memory of her husband no. 605 Oliver Tiffany, and her father no. 203 William Bermingham
Roman Catholic Chapel 1 light Dove
  • Offert par Marguerite et Edouard de B. Panet.
Roman Catholic Chapel 1 light Chalice and wheat
  • Presented by H6888 Lt.-Colonel Thomas Fraser Gelley, M.A., Ll.D member of faculty, 1919-1963.
Roman Catholic Chapel 1963 1 light Alpha Omega Bible and Torch
  • Donated by Mrs. Oliver Tiffany (Kit) Macklem in memory of her husband no. 605 Oliver Tiffany, and her father no. 203 William Bermingham
Protestant Chapel 1963 1 light Royal Military College Crest Robert McCausland Limited
  • Donated by the Kingston branch of the Royal Military College Club of Canada, May 1963.
Protestant Chapel 1963 1 light Royal Military College Crest Robert McCausland Limited
  • Donated by the Kingston branch of the Royal Military College Club of Canada, May 1963.
Protestant Chapel 1963 1 light Timothy Robert McCausland Limited
  • "put on the whole armour of god." In loving memory of no. 2609 Flight Lieutenant Ian Macdonnell Sutherland-Brown.
Protestant Chapel 1963 1 light Dove Robert McCausland Limited
  • In memory of 4482 Squadron Leader Donald Eaton Galloway Class of 1959
Protestant Chapel 1963 1 light open book Robert McCausland Limited
  • In memory of 6229 Lieutenant John Carson first to leave the Class of 64.
Protestant Chapel 1963 1 light lamb of God Robert McCausland Limited
  • I thank all who loved me in their hearts with love and thanks from mine. 1900 Group Captain Douglas Edwards
Protestant Chapel 1963 1 light chalice Robert McCausland Limited
  • In memory of 10557 Lieutenant Kris K. Gammeljord Class of 1975
Protestant Chapel 2014 1 light chalice Robert McCausland Limited
  • In memory of 6229 John Carson R22eR Class of 1964.
6229 John Carson window
Yeo Hall 1966 1 light R.M.C. Crest Robert McCausland Limited
  • In memory of the class of 1958 who have died
Yeo Hall 1965 1 light Canadian Coat of Arms and 10 Provincial crests Robert McCausland Limited
  • O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. Don des anciens du college section de Montréal-1965.
Yeo Hall 1942 1 light Cadet at ease Robert McCausland Limited
  • to the memory of those members of the class of 42 who have given their lives for Canada
Yeo Hall 1964 1 light Visionary Christ with Cadet Robert McCausland Limited
  • In loving memory of 4954 F/O Peter Gordon Robson graduated May 1960 died on active duty September 1960
Yeo Hall 1964 1 light Three Services in Battledress Robert McCausland Limited
  • In memory of their gallant fallen classmates presented by the class entering in 1933
Memorial Stained Glass window, Class of 1933, Royal Military College of Canada
Yeo Hall, Memorial Hall outside chapels [25] 1964 1 light "RMC and Tri-Service Crests" Robert McCausland Limited
  • Presented by Toronto branch R.M.C. Club of Canada 1964
Yeo Hall, Memorial Hall outside chapels 1934 1 light Last Post Robert McCausland Limited
  • Presented by the class entering RMC in 1934 as a memorial to fallen classmates
Yeo Hall, Memorial Hall outside chapels 1964 1 light Cadet with Reversed Arms Robert McCausland Limited
  • Presented by the graduating class 29 May 1964
100p
Mackenzie Building 1956 1 light Navy Robert Jekyll
  • from the Class of 1956
Mackenzie Building 1956 1 light Army Robert Jekyll
  • from the Class of 1956
Mackenzie Building 1956 1 light Air Robert Jekyll
  • from the Class of 1956
Mackenzie Building c. 1920 1 light St Michael *Gentleman Cadet James Wylie Logie (drowned 1913); window donated by his father Hon. James Wylie (1789–1854) and his mother Mary Wylie née Hamilton.
Mackenzie Building Memorial Stairway 1920 1 light Emblem Royal Military College of Canada crest & motto Robert McCausland Limited Gentleman Cadet Douglas Burr Plumb (drowned 1903); window donated by his stepfather Wallace Nesbitt (1858–1930)
Mackenzie Building Memorial Stairway 1920 1 light Antique window Sir Galahad *Gentleman Cadet Arthur Latrobe Smith, (drowned 1913); window donated by mother and brother
Stone Frigate 1987 1 light spider web
  • by Stone Frigate Class of 1983
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (Kingston, Ontario) 1 light Antique window RMC crest and motto *Royal Military College of Canada stained glass window

Commemorative and memorial trees

Maple
Oak
Red Oak
Pine
Silver Birch
White Ash
Memorial trees Description
  • Red oaks, 13 trees on west side Precision Dr.
  • Class of 1962 on occasion of 25th anniversary 1987.
  • Trees with plaque, on Duty Drive (north side Hwy #2)
  • from Class of xxxx
  • commemorates eight classmates killed in the Great War 1914–1918 by Class of 1910.
  • Tree with plaque near Massey Library
  • from UTPM Class of 1989 (unnamed memorial to Mr. Cliff Watt, Library Staff)
  • Tree with plaque on stone
  • In memory of (#17333) Kelly Gawne, Class of 1990
  • oak trees, 17 trees on Precision Dr
  • in memory of classmates killed in the Second World War from the Class of 1940. (Note, the class of 1940 was the last "war-class" to attend RMC. In 1942 the college was closed for the remainder of World War II and during that time the College Colours were safeguarded in St. George's Cathedral in Kingston).
  • Maple tree with plaque (behind Currie Bldg)
  • "en mémoire de Nicole Bérubé 1949-2003", Second Language teacher.
  • Tree with plaque (near Hewett House)
  • in memory of Jane Dacey by her friends, 1985. (wife of Dr. J.R. Dacey, Director of Studies (i.e.: Principal) 1967-1978.)
  • a grove of 10 maples with stone table and two stone benches
  • in memory of classmates killed in the Second World War by the class entering in 1935.

Monuments

Commemorations Description
  • Bill & Alphie
  • Bill & Alphie's, the on-campus cadet pub in Yeo Hall, is named after Bruce Bairnsfather's Great War cartoon characters. Stone carvings based on Old Bill & little Alphie, appear at the entrance to RMC's Yeo Hall.
  • RMC observatory
  • RMC centennial (1976) gift of RMC Club
  • Gift of Class of 1991
  • Wooden Gates Fort Frederick with 1971 plaque
  • in remembrance of the days when Fort Frederick was a recruit refuge, by Class entering in 1931
  • stone Benches (5) near river opposite Commandant's House.
  • to commemorate 100th Anniversary of the Engineering Branch and close ties between Branch and RMC. Dedicated Oct 2004.
  • Stone (located north side Fort LaSalle)
  • "Class of 1998"
  • Stone pillar located near AMS, former Cadet Mess & Recreation Centre
  • to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of RMC by Class of 1976

Plaques

There are numerous plaques erected by federal, provincial, municipal and private authorities on the grounds of the Royal Military College of Canada.[27]

Plaque Description Photo
  • 50th anniversary of College 1926
  • Plaque Currie Building tablet by RMC Club
  • various alumni, staff, professors
  • wall
  • Astronomical Observatory
  • astronomical observatory 1886-1951
  • Avro CF-100 Canuck Mark 5 plaque
  • Presented by the class of 1972 to commemorate rededication on October 6, 1996.
  • Canadian flag plaque
  • "Near this Parade Square, in March 1964, while viewing the College Flag atop Mackenzie Building, Col. the Hon George Stanley, then Dean of Arts, Royal Military College of Canada, first suggested to Col. the Hon. John Matheson, then Member of Parliament for Leeds, that the RMC College Flag should form the basis of the National Flag. The two collaborated on a design which was ultimately approved by Parliament and by Royal Proclamation adopted as the National Flag of Canada as of the 15th of February 1965."[30]
  • Plaque on Currie Bldg installed by the College about 1985.
  • City of Kingston resolution to congratulate RMC on receiving university status.
  • Plaque Currie Building
  • Royal Military College Class of 1931
*International Hockey Series plaque, RMC vs USMA, Currie Hall, RMC
  • Plaque (Federal) National Historic Person Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
  • Currie Building plaque
  • "Kingston Navy Yard"
  • "The Royal Military College of Canada"
  • Ontario Heritage Trust plaque near the entrance to the college grounds at the gates on stone wall between Fort LaSalle and Fort Sauvé, near the north end of Point Frederick Drive.
  • The first officer training college in Canada, the Royal Military College opened in 1876 with 18 cadets receiving military and academic instruction. In 1959, it was granted university status.[33][34]
  • "A naturally defensible site, Point Frederick was reserved as early as 1788 for construction of a battery. Various fortifications were built on the point over the next 50 years. The martello tower still in existence was one of four erected to fortify Kingston during the Oregon Crisis in 1846."
  • Plaque Ontario Heritage Trust
  • Point Frederick Buildings [37]
  • Marker: Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
  • "A strategic location for the defence of the Loyalist settlement at Cataraqui (Kingston), this point was reserved in 1788 and named after Sir Frederick Haldimand, Governor of Quebec (1778-86). In 1790-91 a guardhouse and storehouse were built. By 1792 a dockyard was in operation and during the War of 1812 this vital naval base was fortified. On November 10, 1812, the Fort Frederick battery took part in repulsing an American naval squadron under Commodore Isaac Chauncey. This structure, one of four massive stone Martello towers built to strengthen Kingston's defences, was erected in 1846-47 during the Oregon boundary crisis between the United States and Britain. In 1852 the dockyard was closed and in 1870 Fort Frederick was abandoned."
  • Inside the walls of the tower, on the grounds of the Royal Military College of Canada (Federal) National Historic Site Plaque
  • "This peninsula, headquarters of the Provincial Marine (c.1790-1813), and of the Royal Navy (1813-1853), was the major British naval base on Lake Ontario during the War of 1812. Buildings surviving from this period include the Naval Hospital, the Guard House complex, and the Stone Frigate. On the southern part of the peninsula stands Fort Frederick, erected in 1812-13 but completely rebuilt in 1846. In 1875, the Point was chosen as the site of the Royal Military College of Canada which admitted its first class in June 1876."
  • "Royal Military College of Canada Memorial Arch" [38]
  • Marker: Royal Military College Club of Canada 1923
  • Royal Military College of Canada ex-cadets post World War II
memorial plaque
Royal Military College of Canada Gentlemen cadets Roll of Honour, Currie Hall, Currie Building, Royal Military College of Canada
  • Ontario Heritage Trust Plaque in front of the Stone Frigate building on the NE corner of General Crerar Crescent and Valour Road, on the grounds of the Royal Military College of Canada
  • "Under the terms of this 1817 arms-limitation agreement, the United States and Great Britain agreed to dismantle most of their armed vessels on the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain and to construct no new warships. The agreement, technically, is still in force." [39][40]
  • "Stone Frigate"
  • Ontario Heritage Trust Plaque in front of Stone Frigate.
  • "This large stone building, completed in 1820, was designed to hold gear and rigging from British warships dismantled in compliance with the Rush–Bagot Agreement. It served as a barracks briefly in 1837-38, and by 1876 had been refitted to house the Royal Military College of Canada."[41][42]
  • Plaque (Federal) National Historic Person
Royal Military College of Canada 3 ex-cadets pre WWI
  • memorial plaque
*Fort Frederick World Heritage Site, Kingston, Ontario
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site Plaque
Excavation Plaque detail, Fort Frederick Museum,
Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment Royal Canadians plaque in Senior Service Mess, RMC enumerates the Regiment's locations of service

Other

Memorial Description
  • Casey (the horse)
  • WAG Gallant Dog
  • Gravestone beside Hewett House
  • in memory of #1022 Maj-Gen Harold Oswald Neville Brownfield (joined RMC 1913-left with war certificate 1914) served with the RCA in France and Belgium 1915-18; served as associate professor of tactics, RMC 1934–37; BRA First Canadian Army 1945.
  • from widow Wilhelmina Brownfield c. 1965.
  • refurbished with the financial support of the ex cadet club 2010
  • Stone
  • In memory of (#S107) LCol (Ret'd) George Holbrook C.M.[43] and (9584) Ian Moffat (RMC 1973) Class of 1973.
  • Fountain
  • In honour of 21707 Kleon Lowell Sproule (RMC 2000), Class of 2000
  • Crerar Entranceway
  • in memory of #749 General Crerar (plaque donated by Class of 1935)
  • Carriageway Gates at Crerar Entrance
  • "in memory of those who have gone before" by Class entering in 1934.
  • Letters on Crerar Entranceway
  • donated in memory of #15423 Jean R Perreault by Class of 1986
  • Coat-of-Arms (bronze, with correct motto) on Crerar Entrance
  • donated in memory of #2085 W.E Fleury (RMC 1929) by his family in 1986. [Note plastic Coat-of-Arms incorrectly displaying the motto of College Militaire Royale CMR was put up by the College under the direct of the then Commandant, BGen Emond, 1995.]
  • Pedestrian Gates, walks, Crerar Entrance
  • in memory of fallen classmates by the Class joining in 1937
  • Class of 1940 (east side Precision Dr.) re: 17 trees
  • Sidewalk "Route 92" (Memorial Arch to Hwy #2)
  • in memory of #18287 Josh Andrews (RMC 1992) and #18531 Trent Woolridge (RMC 1992) by Class of 1992.
  • Bench behind Currie Building
  • in remembrance of #3098 Glen Tivy (RMC 1953), #3132 Dutch Holland (RMC 1953) and #3140 Bob Kostiuk (RMC 1953) by Class of 1953
  • Bench-behind Currie Bldg
  • in memory of #6842 Ted Hague (RMC 1966) from his brother, Commandant #9098 BGen (ret'd) Ken Hague (RMC 1972)
  • Bench pair behind Currie, near Sawyer building
  • in memory of Maj. Peter Carr-Harris and Lt. Ella Carr-Harris from Advocates Society in honour of their president.
  • Bench pair behind Currie
  • in memory of fallen comrades by the "United Kingdom" Branch of the RMC Club (n.d.)
  • Bench-north soccer pitch
  • to honour (memory of) Prof. Giuseppe Lepore
  • Sword of honour
  • No. 913, former Battalion Sergeant Major C.B.R. MacDonald (RMC 1914)'s Sword of Honour, which he won in 1914, was presented by his brother to RMC in 1965 as a memorial to C.B.R. MacDonald.
  • No. 1514, former Battalion Sergeant Major H.A. Richardson (RMC 1923), presented to RMC in 1965, the Sword of Honour which he won in 1923 as a memorial to the Class of 1919–1923.
  • marine sextant circa 1820-30s
  • No. 503 John Strickland Leitch, C.E., presented Sea Captain John Leitch's old marine sextant to RMC in May, 1964; Captain Leitch commanded a Cunard Line steamship in the 1830s.

See also

References

  1. ^ "HMCS Hudson". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-09-11.
  2. ^ "Change of Command at RMC". The Marker. Vol. XIII, no. 6. Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario. 26 January 1962. p. 1.
  3. ^ e-Veritas » Blog Archive » What's Happening At RMC Archived 2009-07-13 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Ckws-Tv – Ckwstv
  5. ^ RMC Club of Canada Archived 2009-01-25 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ a b c The Memorial Arch[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "The Old 18 — RMC Club Foundation". Archived from the original on 2007-02-16. Retrieved 2007-07-21. Biographies Old 18
  8. ^ "History – Museum of the Royal Military College of Canada". Archived from the original on 2006-11-07. Retrieved 2008-03-24.
  9. ^ http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2461256[permanent dead link] Royal Winers
  10. ^ "Kingston Historical Society – John A. Macdonald Anniversary Dinner". Archived from the original on 2007-08-09. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  11. ^ Sunset Ceremony 2013
  12. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-10-16. Retrieved 2008-03-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. ^ "54 mm Canadian Toy Soldiers". Archived from the original on 2007-12-16. Retrieved 2008-03-24.
  14. ^ CC Stadden Archived 2008-05-29 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ Mitchell Kryzanowski, Currie Hall: Memorial to the Canadian Corps (Kingston: Hewson and White, 1989), p. 9.
  16. ^ His Excellency John Ralston Saul J.D. Young Memorial Lecture “A New Era of Irregular Warfare?” Lecture Delivered to Faculty and Cadets Royal Military College Kingston, Ontario Archived 2009-02-26 at Archive-It
  17. ^ French, Leigh A Memorial Arch at Kingston, Ont. Architectural Forum 44 no. 2 (Feb 1926) 89-92
  18. ^ H16511 Preston, Dr. Richard A. Canada's Royal Military College: A History of the Royal Military College, Toronto, University of Toronto Press, 1969.
  19. ^ Memorial Arch Archived 2004-06-20 at the Wayback Machine
  20. ^ a b Kingston Historical Society Monuments, Memorials and Markers "Kingston Historical Society - Kingston, Ontario, Canada". Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  21. ^ "Historical pieces of artillery at RMC". Archived from the original on 2015-02-28. Retrieved 2015-02-12.
  22. ^ a b c d "Armoured Fighting Vehicles in Ontario". Archived from the original on 2015-02-27. Retrieved 2015-02-13.
  23. ^ a b "Canadian warplanes at RMCC". Archived from the original on 2015-02-28. Retrieved 2015-02-17.
  24. ^ RMC Memorial windows "Ontario Crafts Council". Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2009-05-10.
  25. ^ Royal Military College Review 1965 (Kingston, Ontario) p 191
  26. ^ John Boxtel's Place on the Net
  27. ^ John H. Grenville `An illustrated guide to monuments, memorials & markers in the Kingston area` Kingston Historical Society Plaque Committee, Kingston, Ont. : Kingston Historical Society, 2000.
  28. ^ St. John Council anniversary Archived 2011-07-06 at the Wayback Machine
  29. ^ Royal Military College of Canada St. John Council plaque[permanent dead link]
  30. ^ Flag of Canada Archived 2010-02-16 at the Wayback Machine
  31. ^ The Dockyard Bell[permanent dead link]
  32. ^ Sir Édouard Girouard 1867-1932[permanent dead link]
  33. ^ Royal Military College of Canada plaque Archived 2011-06-15 at the Wayback Machine
  34. ^ "The Royal Military College of Canada". Archived from the original on 2008-05-17. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
  35. ^ "Ontario Heritage Trust- Point Frederick". Archived from the original on 2008-10-17. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
  36. ^ Point Frederick[permanent dead link]
  37. ^ Point Frederick Buildings[permanent dead link]
  38. ^ Royal Military College of Canada Memorial Arch[permanent dead link]
  39. ^ Rush–Bagot Agreement Archived 2011-06-15 at the Wayback Machine
  40. ^ "The Rush–Bagot Agreement". Archived from the original on 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
  41. ^ Stone Frigate Archived 2012-05-24 at the Wayback Machine
  42. ^ Stone Frigate[permanent dead link]
  43. ^ "News". 31 August 2016.
Flag of the Royal Military College of Canada