OCdts. On Parade

knighting

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.

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