The cadets arrived from the Vancouver area Saturday 7 July 1956 aboard a special 18 car train. The following morning a second trained arrived with cadets from Alberta and local cadets from Penticton and the Kootenays arrived by bus. Senior course like, Senior Leaders, Senior Leader Instructor, Infantry Signals, Drive Mechanic and Rifle Coach, "A" certificate Cadet Services of Canada (CSofC) were all 7 weeks long. The Junior Leaders course, no longer at the Sarcee Cadet Camp in Calgary was 2 weeks long. In addition the 2 week long Chief Instructor's course was also held in Vernon. This would be the second year that there was a band course at the camp, with the addition of a band instructors course as well.
The Military Searchlight Tattoo was introduced, the first ever performed by cadets in the British Commonwealth. It was attended by 10,000 people. Fishing trips for cadets were inaugurated. Selected companies attended the PNE in Vancouver, the Kelowna Regatta, the North Okanagan Regatta, and the Penticton Peach Festival. Radio station CJIB hosted "Cadet Corner" on four occasions during the summer, and cadets from Signals Wing were chosen for interviews. Church parades were again held at the band shell in Polson Park. Cadets were able to go on Fishing trip[s on Bolean Lake.
By summer's end, the camp buildings were receiving a well deserved sprucing up. The tar paper exterior walls of some barracks were now being recovered with white siding and green trim. Maj General Chris Vokes visited again.
Western Command Trophy (Top Cadet) winner: Cadet Alec C. Crabbe 2422 C Scot R Army Cadets
Commanding Officer: Brig Kitching, CBE, DSO, CD, Legion of Merit (USA) for 5 weeks replaced by LCol J.C. Cabe, CD for the final 2 weeks.
The Military Searchlight Tattoo was introduced, the first ever performed by cadets in the British Commonwealth. It was attended by 10,000 people. Fishing trips for cadets were inaugurated. Selected companies attended the PNE in Vancouver, the Kelowna Regatta, the North Okanagan Regatta, and the Penticton Peach Festival. Radio station CJIB hosted "Cadet Corner" on four occasions during the summer, and cadets from Signals Wing were chosen for interviews. Church parades were again held at the band shell in Polson Park. Cadets were able to go on Fishing trip[s on Bolean Lake.
By summer's end, the camp buildings were receiving a well deserved sprucing up. The tar paper exterior walls of some barracks were now being recovered with white siding and green trim. Maj General Chris Vokes visited again.
Western Command Trophy (Top Cadet) winner: Cadet Alec C. Crabbe 2422 C Scot R Army Cadets
Commanding Officer: Brig Kitching, CBE, DSO, CD, Legion of Merit (USA) for 5 weeks replaced by LCol J.C. Cabe, CD for the final 2 weeks.
Brig George Kitching, CBE, DSO, CD until Aug 6
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LCol J.C Cave, CD - Aug 6-20
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RSM WO2 J.C. Groomes, CD
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