RMC Commandant -curious about uniform & badges

[Victoria Edwards]

I am curious about the uniform and badges in this photo. Can anyone identify them?

`Military College of Canada cadet review, Maj. Gen. Sir Archibald Macdonell, Kingston, head & shoulders` dated May 18, 1925; City of Toronto Archives, Globe and Mail fonds, Fonds 1266, Item 5261.

Maj. Gen. Sir Archibald Macdonell (RMC Cadet number 151) was the first Canadian Commandant of the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario from 1919-25.

[dragon166]

The "badges" you mention are the neck badge and breast star of a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (Military). The uniform is the full dress frock coat and bi-corn hat of General Officers (dark blue). The other medal ribbons are too difficult to identify.

[Phillip Herring]

His Lord Strathcona's Horse helmet is on display in the Kingston Military Community Sports Centre.

Phil

[Victoria Edwards]

Thanks all,

'Canada's RMC: A History of the Royal Military College' discusses the uniform of cadets as follows:

Authority for the Military College uniform was received from Ottawa in 1875. It was derived from the British army dress of the time. It consisted of a scarlet tunic and blue trousers with a scarlet side strip. The headdress was a four-inch shako with a gilt chain and gilt cap plate with a sunburst with the words Military College of Canada around a crown. Between 1878-80, the shako went out of style in the British Army. The RMC headress became a Wolseley type helmet with a similar helmet plate. The blue undress jacket was replaced by one in scarlet. After 1878 the helmet plate bore the words Royal Military College, Canada.

[Victoria Edwards]

All,

As requested, Ross Mackenzie, the curator of the Royal Military College of Canada museum made up a few notes on Sir Archie Macdonnell's uniform and decorations.

Ross is not at all certain that the photo (mis?) labelled `Military College of Canada cadet review, Kingston May 18, 1925`actually shows RMC cadets on parade. He thinks it`s more likely that they are from a regular force or a militia unit. They also seem to be armed with Ross Rifles. That seems a bit odd for an event dated 1925 but-if a militia unit- perhaps they still were using the older issue weapon.

I`m putting the research & photos together for a short piece in e-veritas, the alumni journal of the Canadian Military Colleges. Your views and comments are welcome.

Victoria Edwards (RMC 2003)

...
Lieut-General Sir A.C. Macdonell, KCB, CMG, DSO, LLD

Major-General Macdonell served as Commandant of RMC, 1919 to 1925. On his retirement from the army in 1925, in recognition of his years of service, he was promoted to Lieut-General. [This form of retirement benefit for senior officers remained a practice up until at least the 1970’s]

The photograph shows Sir Archie wearing the Frock Coat- an item worn on parades when full-dress wasn’t required. He also wears the Cocked Hat. This form of headdress was worn by Colonels, General Officers and Staff Officers. The feathers were Red and White for Generals.

Sir Archie had been awarded the Order- Knight Commander, The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (military division) [hence the post-nominals, KCB] for his service in the First World War.

This grade of the Order conferred Knighthood and the right to bear the title, “Sir”. After 22 May 1919 –by an Act of the Canadian Parliament- Canadians were no longer eligible to receive knighthoods.

The photograph shows Sir Archie wearing the neck badge and the Brest Star of a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath.

[REMEVMBEA1]

Looking closely at the shoulder title of then nearest man in the front rank I think I can see ?CL