Strathmore Corporal selected for Changing of Guards

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

While at a wedding 17 years ago, then six-year-old Cameron Drummond’s eyes were fixed on a young girl dancing – or so his parents thought. As it turned out, Drummond was actually fixated with the man playing the bagpipes next to the young dancer.
Since that moment, the bagpipes have played a constant in the now 23-year-old’s life, provided opportunities to travel the world, and landed him a position with the Ceremonial Guard in Ottawa this summer.
Drummond, a Strathmore resident who’s been residing in Ottawa since May, is one of approximately 30 pipes and drum musicians, that make up a subunit of the band of the ceremonial guard which is comprised of 130 members. In its entirety, the guard swells to nearly 400 individuals over the summer from members of the Canadian Navy, Army, and Air Force personnel.
“With the pipes and drums, it’s quite a close-knit community, and I find that people are more Scottish in Ontario than they are in Scotland,” said Captain David Rennie. “The ceremonial guard is a bit of an icon. It’s an important institution. This is probably one of the only places where members of the general public – the Canadian populace – actually see a soldier at work. It’s not all about combat clothing and in the heat of the battle. It’s not all that. This is just another part of it.”
After three weeks of intensive drill training, maintaining a high standard of dress and deportment, mastering precision movements while paying an instrument, and undergoing considerable physical fitness training, the guard performed their first Changing of the Guard ceremony on June 27 – a performance modelled after those observed at Buckingham Palace in England.
Having been in the military with the Calgary Highlanders for six years, Drummond previously travelled to England, met the Queen, and participated in numerous battlefield tours. Together with his bagpipe, the piper also performed at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 2012. Although he had been approached several times over the years to audition for the Ceremonial Guard, Drummond could never find the time. Then, with a slowdown of the Alberta oil patch, the Strathmore local decided it was time to head to Ottawa.
“I’ve been asked a few times over the years and I really hadn’t had time,” said Corporal Cameron Drummond. “It’s a great honour to be doing it. It’s something to give back to the country.”
Besides providing an anticipated summer attraction and performing on Parliament Hill, Drummond will also supply sentries – a soldier stationed to keep guard – at the National War Memorial and Rideau Hall.
While his parents Carol-Ann and Russ Drummond remember the countless hours he spent practicing, as well as his track record, his recent move comes as no surprise to the family.
“Instead of sports, he was doing this, and it has taken him all over the world,” said Russ Drummond.
During the summer, the Ceremonial Guard will make several appearances in eastern Ontario. While this is Drummond’s first experience with the Ceremonial Guard, he is looking forward to perform in the military and musical event, Fortissimo, in which he had taken part in 2011. The event will take place on the Parliament Hill’s lawns from July 23-25.