CORPS TRIVIA 

 The '58 J.M. Cadet Band Plays "Stars and Stripes Forever"

  Much of the trivia information on this page has been taken from the four volume compilation: The John Marshall High School Corps of Cadets, compiled and authored by James H. Loughridge, Jr.  Class of 1940. We appreciate his dedication in giving the Corps a wealth of information dating back to its beginning in 1915 until the Corps disbanded in 1971. 


SOME FIRST AND LASTS

  • The first student to officially enlist in the John Marshall High School Corps of cadets was: W. Rush Loving. 
  • The first Competitive Drill : May 24,  1915.
  • The first Competitive Drill with another school was: Benedictine Military College at the Gray's Armory on April 22, 1921.
  • The first Presidential Inaugural Parade participation :  President Herbert Hoover  March 4, 1929.
  • The last Presidential Inaugural Parade participation:  President Dwight D. Eisenhower  Jan. 20, 1953.
  • The first Competitive Drill Winner was: Company C. May 24, 1916  Captain Henry Dickerson.
  • The last Competitive Drill Winner was: Company B. May 24, 1969 Captain Douglas R. Powell.


1915-1919

  • In 1915, 240 recruits enlist in the newly formed John Marshall Cadet Corps.
  • In September of 1916, plans were being made for the corps to attend the 1917 Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington D.C.  Unfortunately, the corps could not attend the Inauguration as they did not have the proper military-style overcoats. A fund was started to ensure that the corps would have the much-needed attire in the near future.
  • In April of 1917, the United States declares war on Germany.  
  • Oct. 20th, influenza rages in Richmond. John Marshall is closed and used as an emergency hospital.
  • Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1918. World War I is over. The corps participates in the first Armistice Day Parade.
  • In Oct of 1919, the Regiment marched in the parade for the unveiling of the Stonewall Jackson Monument at the Boulevard and Monument Ave. 


1920's

  • In 1920, the mid-winter hop was held at the Jefferson Hotel.
  • In Oct. of 1920, football season begins.  12 of the 18 players are members of the corps.
  • On May 3rd of 1920,  the Cadet Band furnished the music at the opening of the new Confederate Memorial Institute ( Battle Abbey).
  • On June 10th, 1920 one of the graduating students made a direct impact on the members of the corps. His name was James C. Anthony, Company C; the future Commandant of the Corps.
  • In Sept of, 1926, James C. Anthony, a VMI graduate, become Commandant.
  • In March of 1929, the corps sent a detachment to Herbert Hoover's Inaugural Parade.  The detachment consisted of the Staff, the Colors and the Regimental Band, as well as a composite company of 100 cadets. They wore the red-lined caped overcoats furnished by VMI.


1930's

  • On Nov of 1934, the Corps marched in the parade during the dedication of the new Robert E. Lee Bridge that spanned the James River.
  • In March of '35, the Regimental Band marched for the first time at the Winchester Apple Blossom Festival.
  • Angelo's, the Hot Dog King, a Cadet's favorite eatery, opens on 5th Street near Marshall in September of '36.
  • On June 15, 1937,  the Richmond School Board was asked to name the new Drill Field in honor of Principal James C. Harwood. 
  • In March of 1938, the Regimental Band changes its colors. Due to Thomas Jefferson High School having the same colors ( red and white) as the Band, a few Jayem girl students asked if the colors could change. It was agreed upon that the Band would now have brown and yellow as their official colors.
  • In the early 30's, A. Tredway Lane of Company B. won the first Soapbox Derby ever held in Richmond. He was a U.S. Navy Pilot during World War II. In later years, he became an attorney.  
  • In November of 1939, the Corps colors change for three companies.                 D Company's colors of blue and yellow becomes Company E's colors. Company E's colors of  red and black becomes Company F's colors.         Company F's colors of Maroon and Orange becomes Company D colors.  


1940's

  • Hansford H. Rowe, Company F, a sergeant in 1941, went on to become the Miller & Rhoads Santa as well as playing numerous parts in theater and television commercials.
  • Robert A. Philips, class of 1930, Company A, was at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7 1942. He was a Navy Lieutenant.     
  • George E. Gray, Company E, class of 42, went on to become Richmond's Chief of the Fire Prevention Bureau. of the Richmond Fire Department.
  • Raymond C. Hooker, class of 42, Lieutenant on The Staff, became a notable doctor in South Richmond...continuing his father's medical practice. 
  • Aubry C. Belcher, class of 1942, D Company, penned the prose: "Remember When" found on this Web site. He also compiled two booklets about his beloved school and corps.   
  • LeRoy A. Redford, Jr.  C  Company. 1946, went on an expedition to the South Pole with Richard E. Byrd.


1950's

  • In Oct. of 1951, the corps has a new Assistant Commandant, James B. Walthall, class of '43. His commitment to the corps lasted throughout his lifetime. Jim's legacy continues with his vast collection of cadet memorabilia.  His knowledge of the cadet corps has proven to be priceless in the eyes of every cadet.
  • On Oct. 11, 1952, the Regimental Band wins first place in the band judging segment at the Tobacco Bowl Parade.
  • In May of 1955, the Corps is judged as the most outstanding marching unit in the Armed Forces Day Parade.
  • On April 17, 1956, the Regimental Band won first place for the fourth time in the Winchester Parade.
  • On Sept. 20, 1956, due to a decline in strength, the corps was reorganized into three Companies. The colors were changed as follows : Company A, Red & Gold; Company B, Red & Gray; Company C, Black & Blue.
  • Company C wins the Efficiency Award for both semesters during the 1957-58 school year.

1960's

  • On April 22, 1960, the Band plays its last Spring Concert in the auditorium of the old John Marshall.
  • June 4th of 1960, the Final Ball was held at the downtown Jayem. The school building plans to be torn down. ( how sad)
  • In 1961, the Cadet Band went to Winchester's Apple blossom Festival for the last time. They won first place for the fourth time in a row.
  • The class of '61 is the first graduating class at the new John Marshall High School.
  • The 1966 Christmas Ball was held at the John Marshall Hotel.
  • December 1968 was the last Christmas Ball for the school.
  • On May 24, 1969, the Competitive Drill was won by Company B. This is the last official Competitive Drill held at John Marshall High.


1971
  • In June of 1971, the Corps disbands. In September of that year, a Junior ROTC unit is formed.  The Corps is but a memory.

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