knox grammar school

In 1928, M R Arnott (OKG29) was the Company Sergeant Major. He was supported by the platoon commanders G L Kenway (OKG29) School House, N M Sky (OKG28) South House and S M FitzSimons (OKG28) North House. Inter-school Drill competitions against Barker College, Cranbrook School and Shore commenced in 1929 with Knox winning two competitions that were held in the first year.

The government abolished compulsory military training in 1929 and in the same year the Knox Grammar School Cadet Unit, based around the Drill Squad was formed, receiving special equipment and instruction from the Army. The Unit was allowed to wear distinctive uniforms, which consisted of a French grey patrol jacket and light blue trousers, that featured a black stripe down the side, topped off with a traditional Scottish Balmoral cap.

The inaugural Cadet Camp was held in 1931, with 41 Cadets from Knox and Cranbrook in attendance. The Drill Squad continued under the Cadet Unit, competing in the Kirby Shield Competition of which they won four times throughout the 1930s. From 1937, participation in the Cadets was compulsory for one year and the Unit enjoyed activities such as smallbore shooting at the School’s rifle range.

In 1942, an Air Training Corps was formed where members were schooled in Morse code, aircraft recognition and the theory of flight and navigation. The uniform moved away from the grey and blue in favour of khaki in 1943, as the Australian slouch hat and puggarees (in School colours) were added. The Retreat Parade, which was later renamed the Passing-Out Parade, was introduced in 1946 and included both the Pipe and Brass Bands. The MacPherson kilt, which was funded by money raised at the Knox School Fete, wasn’t introduced until the 1950s. Around this time, the Cadet Unit had grown to consist of seven field platoons, one signal and one training platoon. Surprisingly, the training syllabus included the use of Bren light machine guns.

When the Commonwealth Government disbanded the Australian Army Cadet Corps in 1975, the School Council was determined to maintain the Cadet Unit as one of the School’s much-loved traditions. Success ensued and one year later, the Cadet Unit was revitalised to ensure that Knox boys would continue to be given opportunities for personal growth.

By 2012, the Cadet Unit had expanded to seven companies including Support and Headquarter Company. The introduction of cadets from Ravenswood School for Girls enriched the experience of the cadets from both schools. By 2013, the girls were fully integrated throughout all companies and the numbers grew to more than 1,000 cadets with a fifth recruit company needing to be added.

In 2019, Lieutenant Colonel (AAC) David McKeith was reappointed, by which time the Unit had grown to more than 1,200 cadets. A sixth recruit company, Golf Company, was added in 2021, bringing the total number of Companies to nine. In 2022, the Unit introduced the first Advanced Training Award to more closely align Cadet Training to the requirements of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award.

In 2023, the Unit undertook its first overseas tour with the Drill Team, which comprised 30 cadets and four staff from Knox and Ravenswood. The cadets were invited to Buckingham Palace for the King’s Changing of the Colours Ceremony. The highlight of this international trip was a visit to the World War I Western Front area of Belgium and supporting the Pipes and Drums in the wreath laying ceremony at the Menin Gate, Ypres.

The Unit continues to provide a wide range of co-educational opportunities for the cadets of Knox and Ravenswood, and is now the largest Unit in Australia.