During the Convocation Ceremony on Wednesday May 14, H24263 Dr. John S. Cowan said to the Class of 2008
“Of the first 170 cadets who entered RMC from 1876-1883 eight received knightships for feats of leadership in many fields of endeavor on at least four continents.”
After 1919 [ by a Canadian decision] Canadian were no longer eligible for knighthood. Those ex-cadets serving in the British forces were not under any such restriction and so we have the later appointments.
Canadian citizenship didn’t exist until 1947- just one big happy bunch of “British subjects”- so there was no limitations on joining the armed forces in either country. Loewen – for example was born in Canada and after retirement from the British army in the 1950s he returned to Canada and lived the rest of his life here.
Question: How many Ex Cadets have been knighted? Was it?
12; 14; 16; 18; or 20
Correct answer – 16
#25 Maj-Gen. Sir W.T. Bridges, KCB, CMG (RMC 1877-79)
#88 Twinning (RMC 1880-83)
#123 Ridout (RMC 1881-85)
#138 General Sir George M. Kirkpatrick (RMC 1882-85)
#147 Girouard (RMC 1882-86)
#151 Macdonell (RMC 1883-86)
#162 Van Straubenzee (RMC 1883-86)
#168 Heneker RMC 1884-88 )
#221 Dobell (RMC 1886-90)
#246 Burstall (RMC 1887-89)
#323 Lt.-Gen. Sir George N. Cory, KBE, CB, DSO (RMC 1891- 95)
#703 Brig. Sir Charles Frederick Carson, CBE, MC (RMC 1905-09)
# 729 Grasett (RMC 1906-09)
#758 Wheeler (RMC 1907-10)
#1246 General Sir Charles Loewen, GCB, KBE, DSO (RMC 1916-18)
#2585 Leather (RMC 1937-39)
With thanks to both Victoria Edwards and Ross McKenzie.