DRUMHEAD SERVICE IN COLDWATER

On Sunday June 7, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 270 Coldwater was host to a Legion Drumhead Service organized by District 'E' Legion personnel.  Dozens of Legionnaires from branches throughout the district met in Coldwater to take part in this important event.  Led by the Midland Pipes & Drums, the formation of Legionnaires marched with flags and banners though the streets of Coldwater before stopping at the Cenotaph to lay down the drums for the actual Drumhead ceremony.  Several official wreaths were also laid on behalf of the federal, provincial, and municipal governments, and the Royal Canadian Legion.

Historically, Drumhead services were church services conducted "in the field" during armed conflict.  For centuries soldiers requested divine help and guidance in what were known to be difficult times ahead.   Due to remoteness of the battlefield and lacking any means of transport to take the soldiers to a church, the Regimental Padre conducted the services 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 formal altar, regimental drums were put into service by stacking them in layers and draping them with appropriate colours, which then served as a temporary altar.  It was in the 1700s 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 1800s, the practice was continued and still remains a part of Canada's military tradition.  It was used not only for religious services, but 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 tradition.

The Royal Canadian Legion continues this tradition today by conducting Drumhead Services to pay homage to those of our comrades who offered their lives in defence of our country.

The Midland Legion Branch 80 Pipes & Drums marches through Coldwater streets on the way to the Cenotaph for the Drumhead Service.

Dozens of Legionnaires from branches throughout the district met in Coldwater to take part in this important event.

The Midland Legion Branch 80 Pipes & Drums comes up to the freshly painted "Remembrance Crosswalk" on Coldwater Road, on their way to the Cenotaph.

Coldwater Branch 1st Vice-President John O'Hara coordinated the event and acted as the MC for the Drumhead ceremony.

Albert Sauvé sang the National Anthem and God Save the King during the Drumhead Service in Coldwater.

Branch member Paul Bolyea played the Last Post and Reveille during the Drumhead Service.

As per tradition, drums are stacked by the Drum Major, Megan McKinnon, so they can be draped with flags and serve as an altar.

Coldwater Branch President Kari Malmström lays the first flag over the drums to create an altar.

Coldwater Branch President Kari Malmström (right) puts the finishing touch with the final flag, with help from District Sergeant-at-Arms, Chris Skalozub.

Veteran Chaplain Reverend Bruce Sweet said prayers and blessed the Colours as part of the traditional Drumhead Service.

Veteran and member of Victoria Harbour Branch Simon Chauvette was one of the representatives of various branches within the district who marched with the Colours and branch banners during the Drumhead Service.

The Hymn 'Onward Christian Soldiers' was sung by Joanna Murray, accompanied by Paul Arsenault.

Escorted by District Sergeant-at-Arms, Chris Skalozub, Jane Dunlop was on hand to lay a wreath on behalf of her daughter MPP Jill Dunlop.  Wreaths were laid on behalf of the federal, provincial, and municipal governments, and the Royal Canadian Legion.

The ceremony concludes with the removal of the drums by Drum Major Megan McKinnon from the Midland Legion Branch 80 Pipes & Drums.