THE UNIT

Army Cadets have existed in Pembroke for over 100 years. The first cadet corps, 607 Pembroke Collegiate & Vocational Institute Cadet Corps, was formed 23 April 1915. The cadet corps was affiliated with the Lanark & Renfrew Scottish starting in Dec 1927. In 1941, affiliation changed to the Royal Canadian Dragoons. The cadet corps paraded at the Pembroke Collegiate & Vocational Institute (now École élémentaire et secondaire l’Équinoxe).

2677 Lanark & Renfrew Scottish Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps of Pembroke was formed 1 March 1961. The Corps was sponsored by its affiliated unit, the Lanark & Renfrew Scottish Regiment. For the first few years, the unit paraded approximately 100 cadets - all ranks. The first Commanding Officer was Major Roy Davis.

Shortly after 2677’s formation, on November 28, 1962, 607 Pembroke Collegiate & Vocational Institute Cadet Corps disbanded. Cadets from 607 would have transferred to 2677.

In 1973, command of the cadet corps was handed over to Captain Ed Gaudet, followed by Captain Wanda Lavergne in 1977. It was during the 1970's that female teenagers could officially start joining cadets.

On 1 September 1978, the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 72 of Pembroke assumed the role as the primary sponsor of the cadet corps. The Corps paraded Tuesday evenings until September 1979 at which the parade night was changed to Monday evenings.

During the 1980's the unit was commanded by: Lieutenant Henry Perkins (1981 – 1982), Captain Eugene Engyel (1982 – March 1988), and Captain Al Tobio.

On 18 March 1993, the cadet corps paraded with the Regiment to change cap badges from Lanark & Renfrew Scottish Regiment, to the Royal Canadian Artillery. The cadet corps’ name was revised to follow the Regiment’s new name of 1 ^st Air Defence Regiment (Lanark & Renfrew Scottish) Royal Canadian Artillery . One year later in March of 1994, Captain Dick Beaune assumed command from Captain Tobio.

During the late 1990’s the Corps returned its parade nights to Tuesday evenings. During this time as well, the cadet corps was temporary relocated to Laurentian Public School (now École elementaire et secondaire publique l’Équinoxe) due to substantial renovations taking place within the armoury. By 1997, Captain George Hodgkinson took command for one year of the cadet corps. In September of 1998, Captain Anne Wilson was appointed Commanding Officer.

In February of 2006, Captain Bonnie Meek accepted the position of Commanding Officer and transferred to 2677 to assume command. Later in the autumn of 2006, the Regiment’s name was changed to 42 ^nd Field Regiment (Lanark & Renfrew Scottish), Royal Canadian Artillery , and the cadet corps followed suit.

In 2010 as part of a restructuring initiative in Central Region, 2677 was reassigned to the Northern Ontario Area (NOA) Detachment in CFB North Bay, from the Eastern Ontario Area (EOA) Detachment in CFB Trenton. In June of 2011, after five years of command, Captain Meek transferred the position to Captain Andrew Bing. That same year, 2677 celebrated it's 50th Anniversary. A mess dinner was held at the Pembroke Legion, with former Commanding Officer's such as Captain Tobio and Captain Lavergne attending. In April 2013, Captain Meek accepted a second term as Commanding Officer.

In 2016 the Corps celebrated its 55th anniversary and the 100th year of training for Army Cadets in Pembroke. During the 2016-2017 training year, the structure of the Canadian Cadet Organizations (CCO) changed as part of the “Renewal” initiative, with all cadet units being part of the newly formed National Cadet & Junior Canadian Rangers Support Group (Natl CJCR Sp Gp). In addition, Captain Meek transferred command to Captain Dylan Longpré (one of her previous Regimental Sergeant Majors at the cadet corps).

In 2017, 2677 was reassigned to the newly formed Ottawa and St Lawrence Area (OSLA), where logistical/administrative/training support was transferred from North Bay to CFB Borden, and direct training support was transferred from North Bay to Ottawa. That same year, the cadet corps participated in the DCRA Postal Shoot. Against other unit's across Canada, 2677 placed second in the Junior Prone Team category.

The cadet corps is housed out of the Pembroke Armoury. The large centrally located Baronial style building with a low-pitched gable roof, was architectural designed by David Ewart and was built between 1913-1914.