Cambridge Now!

Press liaison, 2^nd Lieutenant John Ewen had explained the ground rules of press access to a Royal. He didn’t have to say it twice. His appearance was awe-inspiring: He was immaculately shaven, no hint of a wrinkle—every pleat of his kilt in place.

 

The black limos appeared out of nowhere. Prince Andrew emerged, waved, said a warm but quick hello to the crowd, then briskly walked up the front steps and disappeared inside City Hall. The ceremony was underway.

 

From the north, the Royal Highland Fusiliers were already approaching the barricade, a symbolic separation from free access to the city. There was a rattling of gear and a steady stream of footsteps. There were no bayonets drawn, not a sound from pipe or drum. In the back of their minds they were perhaps thinking, “What if the mayor says NO?” Preposterous! Not in front of Royalty! It would be political suicide.

 

 

Regional Police Chief Larry Gravill was standing in the middle of Water St. in front of the barrier the make-shift city gates. As the Royal Highland Fusiliers were ordered to a halt. Chief Gravill shouted out a “Who goes there?”

 

“We’re the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Cambridge requesting Freedom of the City and permission to approach, sir,” came the reply.

 

Gravill granted permission, the commanding officer approached the barrier, and there was much sword-waving involved, followed by a trip to the doors of city hall where they knocked three times. The commanding officer and Chief Gravill were met by the mayor and HRH Prince Andrew. Permission was granted at 11:06 am, after which Mayor Craig proceeded to the microphone. Once comfortable, he asked the town crier to read the proclamation. The rights were proclaimed as only a town crier can proclaim (once again from the diaphragm). The Regiment then marched past the barrier into the streets of Cambridge where they presented their arms and attached bayonets.

 

His Royal Highness stood and spoke to the troops and to the veterans. He spoke of how proud he is to be their Colonel-In-Chief and what it means to the Royal Family and that in his new role, he intends to revisit many times. He was such a class act. To see him only a few feet away smiling and laughing respectfully with the WW II Vets was magical. Following the Colonel-In-Chief’s speech, Mayor Craig left the podium and proceeded to inspect and speak with the troops. After his worship’s nod of approval, the command to uncase the colours, unfurl the flags was given, and the band joined the regiment. Then, accompanied by the drone and dampering of a dozen bagpipes and the clicking and clacking of percussion on foot they marched off in perfect time. Cambridge can truly be proud of its Regiment, some of whom have already been to and have returned from duty in Afghanistan; others will be leaving soon for active duty in that same region.

 

When the ceremony broke, Prince Andrew mingled, met and spoke with the aging veterans one-on-one. He was so cool and polished, and no wonder, he’s been doing it for a lifetime.

 

 

One more delightful aspect of the day was his refusal to simply drive off in the noon day sun without personal contact with the everyday people of Cambridge. Children and adults alike squealed with delight as he walked right over (Royal Security in tow) and accepted flowers from children and spoke with the enthusiastic well-wishers.

 

It was truly the end of magnificent day for Cambridge and for the Royal Highland Fusiliers! Nobody fainted, everyone looked fantabulous...and our remaining local verterans lived to see the day that they would be personally thanked by a Royal.

Amen!

The Colonel-In-Chief

There are different types of Honorary appointments in the Canadian Army: Colonel-in-Chief, Honorary Colonel Commandant, Honorary Colonel and Honorary Lieutenant Colonel. In the Reserve Army, units usually have two Honorary positions: Honorary Colonel and Honorary Lieutenant Colonel. A fortunate few have a Colonel in Chief.

When the regiments of the British and Canadian armies were first formed, many had a royal patron who agreed to become the ceremonial commander of the unit or its “Colonel in Chief.” Perhaps foremost among the reasons for such patronage was the desire to reinforce, within the ranks of the regiment, a loyalty to the Crown through this personal relationship with a member of the Royal Family. The Colonel in Chief remains in close contact with his/her regiment and takes a personal ongoing interest in its well being and that of its members.

The Canadian tradition of appointing Honoraries to units originated with the British military but has only been in practice in Canada for a little over a century.

The first Honorary Colonel appointment in Canada was that of Lieutenant Colonel the Honourable J.M. Gibson, a Provincial Secretary in the Ontario Government. He was appointed as Honorary Lieutenant Colonel to the 13^th Battalion (today’s Royal Hamilton Light Infantry) in 1895.

Early in the 20^th century in Canada Sir Robert Borden described the practice of appointing Honoraries as: “of greatest advantage to the Militia to be able to enlist the interest and sympathy of gentleman of position and wealth by connecting them to Regiments”.

That sentiment remains true today. The Honorary is seen to be the guardian of Regimental traditions and history, promoting the regiment’s identity and ethos and being an advisor to the Commanding Officer on virtually all issues excluding operations.

Units select individuals, often former serving members, who they believe will best promote the interests of the unit and request the approval for the Honorary appointment through the chain of command.

 
The Tradition of Granting the Freedom of the City