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Page12 â€"Great Canadian Town Band Festival â€" June 14-16,2002 Pioneer and Grenadiers The Royal Regiment of Canada in its preset form was created in 1936 by the amal- gamation of txvo previously existing units: the Royal Grenadiers and the Toronto Regiment, The intent were in when a battalion of volun- teers was formed in anticipa- tion of an American invasion following the outbreak of the US Civil War. Called out in June 1866, it marched to Fort Erie to meet the ir vading Fenians, who withdrew before the Royals arrived. The regiment gained its first battle experience in the Northwest Rebellion of 1885 after making a grueling march from Toronto to 800 miles west of Winnipeg. At Batoche, they led a bayonet charge that ended the rebel stand. Fifteen years later, the regiment dispatched a com- pany to serve with The Royal Canadian Regiment in the Boer War. Pioneers: The Pioneers were an early form of combat engi- neer tasked with mobility and counter-mobility operations in support of The Regiment. They travelled in advance of the unit in order to clear obstacles much as present day pioneers and engineers do but without the bènefït of modern technology and equipment. The present Pioneer's uniforms are pat- terned on The Regiment's Pioneers of the 1880's. Grenadiers: The Grenadiers, a specific type of soldier, were troops of the Regiment assigned to pro- vide security to the , Pioneers during operations. The Pioneers, laden with the heavy and cumbersome tools of their trade and lacking firearms, were vulnerable and required local protection. The Grenadiers, being better armed, provided this protec- tion. The Pioneers and Grenadiers Today: The Royal Regiment of Canada of today is a func- tional unit of the Canadian Forces Primary Reserve. However, The Regiment does maintain a Pioneer and Grenadier platoon in a cere- monial capacity. The pla- toon, in period dress, pro- vides pageantry and colour to Regimental, military and civilian events and functions and remains a vital reminder of the history of The Regiment. It is manned by dedicated soldiers who have proven most worthy in the execution of their regular Regimental responsibilities. As a "marching" organiza- changed it to a fife and drum tion, music has quite naturally band. He ran it for about 20 been part of the Orange tradi- years. Then in the early tion and culture since its earli- 1950's, Hartwell's son, John est beginnings. Given that the R. Lowery reorganized the Orange roots go back to the band. In the late '50's or early militia in Ireland, this music '60's, the band uniform takes on a military connota- changed from white pants and tion. Using the old British white shirts to dark pants and Army B-flat fifes accompa- orange shirts. The band then nigd by the snare drum, these dwindled again and was reor- bands ranged from as small as ganized in about 1974 by 6 fifers to others who boasted Maurice Bradley. After about over 20 fifers and upwards of a year, James Lowery, John's 6 or 8 drummers. They also brother, took over the band, adopted a uniform mode of Then about 1980, John's son dress. These uniforms were Wayne joined James. James, quite simple; usually white now 76, still marches in all of shirts trimmed with orange the parades, and is also the and blue ribbons and dark or band treasurer. The Lowery's often white deck pants. They have been an active family in also always wore a fancy the band. At present, at least band cap with an orange and 15 of our 20-some members blue plume in the front. are related to J. Hartwell, the Kendal Fife and Drum founding member. We march Band was originally a bass in various local parades, from band until World War I. After July 12th Celebrations to the war, J. Hartwell Lowery Santa Claus Parades, took over the band and 4