Kilt & pith helmet - Royal Military College of Canada

**macwilkin** · 20th July 09, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by ronstew

It is a matter of the supply of swords at the college. That's what the cadets officers carry. Again, normally the kilts are only in the pipe band.

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Well maybe, but it still looks like a 1908/12 pattern cavalry sword to me.

Jock,

Did you think I was claiming it was a Rifle Officer's Sword, because that's certainly not the case. I only used the Cameronians as an example of a variation in uniform and dress. One would expect a "Scottish" regiment to carry a basket-hilt, but since the Cameronians were a rifle regiment, they chose to identify with the customs and traditions of the Rifles as well.

As Ron explained above, the situation is not personal preference, but the dress regulations of the school.

T.

**Jock Scot** · 20th July 09, 10:51 AM

Todd please, I don't doubt what you and Ron are saying for one second and I fully understand that soldiers have to use what is issued and, or, is deemed suitable, by those above. All I am saying that the sword in the picture looks like a 1908/12(more likely 1912) pattern cavalry sword.That is all. I have the highest regard for all the Canadian services, past and present.

**macwilkin** · 20th July 09, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Todd please, I don't doubt what you and Ron are saying for one second and I fully understand that soldiers have to use what is issued and, or, is deemed suitable, by those above. All I am saying that the sword in the picture looks like a 1908/12(more likely 1912) pattern cavalry sword.That is all. I have the highest regard for all the Canadian services, past and present.

Very good then, Jock.

T.

**BEEDEE** · 20th July 09, 11:37 AM

The 1912 pattern sword is still used as the ceremonial sword of Canadian Calvary units. But I don't know how it got into the hands of a RCMC cadet.

Brian

**beloitpiper** · 20th July 09, 11:38 AM

Well, I don't know about swords but I do know that is one sharp uniform!

**GMan** · 20th July 09, 01:38 PM

Awesome!

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 20th July 09, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by BEEDEE

The 1912 pattern sword is still used as the ceremonial sword of Canadian Calvary units. But I don't know how it got into the hands of a RCMC cadet.

Brian

Probably because he is a cadet...

**Chrissss** · 20th July 09, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by ronstew

RMC is Canada's equivalent of Sandhurst or West Point. Even before the army, navy and air force were almagamated, RMC served all of the services. In my day, there was also a military college in Victoria. The new commandant of RMC, Commodore Bill Truelove, was a classmate of mine at that school. I am very proud of Bill. I wish that I had been able to attend the change of command ceremony.

I was Cadet at Royal Roads Military College in Victoria, BC, in the early 80's. Sadly, our military-hating Federal governments of the late 80's and early 90's shut it down.

One of my classmates and friends at RRMC was Jon Vance, now a Brigadier General and the present Commander of Canadian troops in Afghanistan. We all knew he would make the General ranks, and I'm proud of him.

As to the Cavalry sword, that would be normal for a Canadian Military College. As stated, CMC's are combined service colleges, and they borrow traditions from all of the services. RRMC started out as the Royal Canadian Naval College so it maintained a great many Naval traditions. But in my time the College used the Airforce structure of Squadrons and Flights. Drill and Parades were based on Army traditions.