The Royal Military College of Canada
Text from the plaque
Following the withdrawal of British forces from Canada in 1870-71, the federal government recognized the need for an officer training college in Canada. In 1874, during the administration of the Hon. Alexander Mackenzie, enabling legislation was passed. Located on Point Frederick, the site of the former Royal Naval Dockyard, the new college opened on June 1, 1876, with 18 cadets under Lieutenant-Colonel Edward O. Hewett, R.E. Named the Royal Military College of Canada in 1878, it offered academic and military training courses designed to prepare cadets for both military and civil careers. The college was reorganized in 1948 as a tri-service institution and, in 1959, it became the first military college in the British Commonwealth to achieve degree-granting status.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The County of Frontenac
The City of Kingston
On the north side of the wall at the gates near the tall tree
near the north end of Point Frederick Drive,
on the grounds of the Royal Military College of Canada
N 44 13.797 W 76 28.194
Recorded June 2005. Check current access before visiting.
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February 15, 2015
Today, February 15, is Flag Day, the anniversary of the adoption of the Canadian flag in 1965. This year marks 50 years since the Maple Leaf was first raised. At the military college, the lowering of the Canadian ensign and the raising of the Maple Leaf over the Mackenzie Building took place at noon, 50 years ago today. It was reenacted in a ceremony the other day, and those original two flags were on display at a reception, following the event. Until about two years ago, they were housed in the Martello tower at Point Frederick, a museum on the school's grounds, but high humidity forced them into temporary storage. It would be good to have them on public display again, especially since the college played a role in creating the Canadian flag. Its dean of arts, George Stanley, suggested in 1964 that a new national flag be based on the college flag -- two red bars, and a central white field, with a maple leaf centred upon it in place of the college arms. Today, a plaque at the base of the Mackenzie Building, which once flew that college flag, tells of how that banner inspired our national flag a half century ago. Happy Flag Day! -Wayne
April 19, 2009
Why is there no information on OCdt A D Bowie who died on the obstacle course at RMC Kingston on 29 Sep 1972