Volume: 5 Issue: 28

The unveiling of the Wilcox Memorial Cabinet this week brought audible gasps and visible tears. It is a work of hard wood art that celebrates both the life of a distinguished alumnus and the 254 Cadet Corps. Complete with our Regimental Colours, all our cadet trophies, and two gorgeous WWI officer swords gifted by alumni who served overseas in the Great War, the cabinet is both striking and inspiring to behold.

 

At the unveiling, alumna Lady Ann Day spoke eloquently about her hopes that generations of alumni will be able to return to the School and point out their names to their grandchildren. For the assembled student cadet officers in attendance, the prospect of graduating is daunting, let alone being married and having children and grandchildren. These are ideas beyond their teenage reality and day-to-day lives. And yet, seventy years ago Jim Wilcox was just like them. He played rugby and hockey, like them he was an officer in the 254 Cadet Corps, he sat in the same pews in the Chapel, walked the same halls on the way to class, and wrote tests in Convocation Hall. Like our students, he probably never dreamed his own children would someday return to the dining hall and see his name engraved on a trophy (let alone a cabinet).

 

There are few institutions in Canada older than King's-Edgehill School. As such it binds generations. It connects us with our past and humbly links us with the future. It has the ability to stand witness to our lives. At times like these, we realize how important it is to preserve, protect, and celebrate our School.

Week 28 42 Images