“ABANDON SHIP!”

With this issue of “L’Echo”, we bid fond farewell to the Royal Canadian sea Cadet Corps "FORT LENNOX". In its place we welcome to the school a Corps of Army Cadets under the sponsorship of “A” Squadron, Royal Canadian Hussars, St. Jean , Quebec.

It is far from easy to say goodbye to a young and vigorous Corps which, though young in years, has enjoyed a most enviable record of service and achievement. Warranted on 28 April, 1959 , the Corps soon made its presence felt in Sea Cadet circles. At HMCS Acadia, in 1960, RCSCC "FORT LENNOX" won the coveted General Efficiency Trophy while Able Cadet J.C. Girodo walked away with the trophy for the Most Proficient Cadet. This was an outstanding achievement in that it marked the first time an Able Cadet had won this award. In 1961, again at Acadia , "FORT LENNOX" ran a very close second - 0.6 away from the perfect score of 500 chalked up by RCSCC "VANGUARD" - for the General Efficiency Trophy. However, the Most Proficient Cadet Trophy once again came our way being won by Able Cadet M. Willson.

In subsequent years, these awards were held in abeyance. However, reports from HMCS Acadia were most favourable and indicated that each contingent had prize-winning qualities.

In 1963, at RCN Air Station, Shearwater, N.S., the Top Cadet Award for the Naval Aviation Course was won by PO2c D. Oliver. This is a highly-contested award sought after by 35 cadets of the Course who come from Corps throughout the country.

Though the purpose of Cadets at Feller is not to seed the Armed Services of Canada, a great many former Cadets of "FORT LENNOX" have found their niche in the Army, Navy or Air Force. Many, too, have travelled south of the border to enlist in the forces of the United States of America.

It is interesting to note, at this point, that of those who have found a home and occupation in the forces of the Queen, most were boys who, during their time at the School, devised every possible scheme to get out of participating in Cadets! Conversely, those who proved to be outstanding Cadets and who worked to make our Corps one of the finest in the land, are now, in the main, enjoying the drab existence of office routine, etc. Strange, isn’t it?

The reason for switching Army Cadets is simple. Feller College cannot afford to operate any sort of Cadet Corps unless it can be self-supporting. Unfortunately, the association of the Royal Canadian Navy with the Navy League of Canada makes it necessary for the Corps to support its parent body. Were the situation the same as that which obtains in Army Cadets or Air Force Cadets, where the sponsor supports the Corps, you may rest assured that "FORT LENNOX" would remain afloat until the end of time. Since, however, the Navy League cannot support our Corps, we have no other course.

We have enjoyed our stint as sailors and are reluctant to abandon the blue and white for the olive drab. The program of Sea Cadets fits in far better with a Church School than does the program of the Cadets in the sister services.

Well, we could go on in like vein for a long time, but to no avail. Regretfully, the die has been cast and, with the re-opening of School in September, the walls of the drill Deck will echo to sounds of new commands.

In parting, may we extend a sincere word of thanks to the following persons who have in so many ways done so much to keep "FORT LENNOX" going full speed ahead.

Commanding Officer Naval Divisions, Hamilton, Ont.

Commodore Marcel Jette, C.D., RCN, Senior Naval Officer, River St. Lawrence Area.

Command Officer, Sea Cadets, Hamiliton, Ont.

CDR George Mason, C.D., RCN (Ret’d), Hamilton, Ont.

LCDR Paul E. Buisson, C.D., RCN, ASOC Quebec Area 1959-1960

LCDR Roger J. Mann, C.D., RCN, AOSC Quebec Area 1960-1963

LCDR Robert M. Greene, C.D., RCN, ASOC Quebec Area 1963-1964

LCDR Leonard Picard, C.D., RCN, HMCS Donnacona

LCDR C. Shaver, C.D., RCN, ASOC Ontario Area

LCDR Douglas Swann, C.D., RCN, Supply Officer, HMCS Donnacona

LT David Pengelly, RCN, Supply Officer, HMCS Donnacona

LT J. Vaillancourt, C.D., RCN, Assistant ASOC Quebec Area

LT T. Carveil, C.D., RCN(R), Band Officer, HMCS Donnacona

LT John Kay, RCSC, Supply Officer, RCSCC “VICTORY”

LT S. May, RCSC, Founder RCSCC "FORT LENNOX",

Commanding Officer 1958-1959; 1961-1964.

LT P.J.S. Ferguson, RCSC,
Commanding Officer RCSCC "FORT LENNOX" 1959-1961

LT F. Howard-Rose, CD, R.C.S.C., Executive Officer, RCSCC "FORT LENNOX"

LT R.W. Kemball, RCSC,

Executive Officer and Supply Officer, RCSCC "FORT LENNOX"

SLT A.M. Burridge, RCSC,

Executive Officer and Supply Officer, RCSCC "FORT LENNOX"

SLT Brian R. Babb, RCSC, Training Officer, RCSCC "FORT LENNOX"

St. Jean Branch, Navy League of Canada

We also pay tribute to a host of Junior Officers and Petty Officers of the Corps who gave their time and knowledge in the training program of the Corps. And, last but not least, we say a sincere word of thanks to all the cadets who gave everything they had because they were proud to say: “I belong to FORT LENNOX”.

“Of all the ships upon the blue, no ship contained a better crew”

PO2C DAVID OLIVER, RCSC

Regulating Petty Officer

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