HISTORY of the

DRUMHEAD CEREMONY

Piling or Stacking of the Drums

F or centuries, soldiers about to go into battle asked for divine help and guidance in what were known to be difficult times ahead.

Because of the distances to be covered, and lacking any means of transport to take the soldiers to church, the Regimental Padre conducted the service

in the field.

This called for a platform upon which he could place his bible and other pieces of equipment he required to conduct a formal service.

Lacking any other altar, the regimental drums were put into service by stacking them in layers which then served as a temporary altar.

It was in the 1700's that the first recorded use of the Drumhead for this purpose was documented. Like many things military, it soon became a tradition.

When Canada formed her first regiment in the 1800's, the practice was continued and still re-mains a part of Canada's military tradition. It was used not only for reli-gious services - it also became the table for court martial hearings in the field.

Following the First World War, the British Empire Service League adopted the Drumhead Service in order to foster and keep alive a centuries old tra-dition.

The Royal Ca-nadian Legion contin-ues this tradition today by conducting a Drum-head Service to pay homage to those of our comrades who offered their lives in defence of our country.

ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus going on before. Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe, Forward into battle, see His banners go! Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus going on before. Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng. Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song. Glory, laud and honour unto Christ the King, This through countless ages men and angels sing. Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus going on before.

GREETINGS from the GOVERNMENT of CANADA - MP Jamie Schmale

GREETINGS from the GOVERNMENT of ONTARIO - MPP Laurie Scott

GREETINGS from the CITY of KAWARTHA LAKES - Mayor Andy Letham

~ DRUMHEAD SERVICE ~ INVOCATION and SCRIPTURE READING

Padre Brian Webber and Maj. Roy Randell

HYMN: ONWARD CHRISTAN SOLDIERS (Words on back page)

INTRODUCTION of GUEST SPEAKER District Commander Buck Buchanan

GUEST SPEAKER ADDRESS Ontario Command 1st Vice President Sharon McKeown

WORD of THANKS to GUEST SPEAKER Deputy District Commander Don Ramsey

PRAYER of REMEMBRANCE and THANKSGIVING Padre Brian Webber

BENEDICTION

Chairman turns parade over to Parade Marshall for the UNPILING of the DRUMS

CLOSING CEREMONY - Deputy District Commander Don Ramsey

THE ROYAL ANTHEM

RETIRE COLOURS

MARCH PAST and PARADE Salute taken by Sharon McKeown, Ontario Command

and District Commander Buck Buchanan

1300 HRS - Fall in at John & Bond Sts.

1315 HRS - Move off to Cenotaph

LAYING of WREATHS

LAST POST

LAMENT

ROUSE

ACT of REMEMBRANCE - Padre Brian Webber

Parade reforms for Drumhead Service

District ‘F’ Chairman Jim Connell: Sgt-at-Arms - Advance Colours

Parade Marshall turns parade over to Chairman Jim Connell

LEGION OPENING CEREMONY District F Commander Robert “Buck” Buchanan

NATIONAL ANTHEM

INTRODUCTION of GUESTS District Commander Buck Buchanan

WELCOME from BRANCH 238 President Fred Walker

WELCOME from ONTARIO COMMAND 1st Vice President Sharon McKeown

WELCOME from ZONE F-4 F-4 Zone Commander John Sherman

WELCOME from ZONE F-4 LADIES AUXILIARY F-4 LA Zone Commander Marilyn LaMarche