NIAGARA MEMORIAL BAND – NIAGARA MEMORIAL MILITAIRES DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS: A BRIEF HISTORY

The Niagara Memorial Band was founded in late 1948. It came about when a group of Ex Sea Cadets in Niagara Falls had ''aged out'' of the Cadet Program, but wanted to continue their Marching Band experience, so they decided to start their own organization. Lt. Cmdr. James Davies, Royal Canadian Navy Retiree was the original Bandmaster and Director. He was also the drafting teacher at N.F.C.V.I. at the time. Since the group did not have funds or instruments, a plan was put in place to attempt to outfit some 40 Bandsmen.

As this was post World War 2 time, it was decided by this group of ''teenagers'' to form the Band as a Living Memorial to the fallen Servicepersons from the Niagara area. With the support and help of the Silver Cross Mothers of the day, the group approached the community for support by way of public donations. The program was a success and within two months, the Band had a complement of brass bugles, rope tensioned snare drums and a glockenspiel.

Each instrument had one or more brass plaques attached to it, bearing the name of a fallen serviceperson from the Niagara Area. Uniforms were the next project to undertake. The group wanted to retain its attachment to the Navy, but were unable to acquire Naval uniforms. The members visited Jack's Army Navy War Surplus store, which was then located on Queen St. in Niagara Falls. Each member purchased a Canadian Army tunic and dyed them black to resemble Navy attire. Army web belts and gaiters were dyed white with white liquid shoe polish.

The source of the acquired Navy hats was not able to be determined. The Band was now outfitted with a striking uniform that soon became an identifying ''trademark'' of the Niagara Memorial Band. Weekly practices began taking place at Simcoe St. school grounds, and were often attended by 100's of city residents. ''Route Marches'', always in different parts of the City, were common occurrences, and the citizens applauded from their porches and along City sidewalks as the Band marched down local streets.

The Band became deeply involved in the Community, participating in many celebrations and parades without any thought of financial gain.

The Band also became a favourite of the American Legion and Fire Departments in Western New York, etc. The Band bussed out every summer weekend to New York or Pennsylvania States for parades and Military Memorial Services. In late 1950, with the outbreak of the Korean War,16 band members left the Band in a group and joined the Canadian Navy. Many were still in their teens.

Around 1953 – 1954, the Band began to compete against many Drum Corps from the U.S. for parade prize money. It became obvious that the Band needed to acquire updated instruments in order to be competitive. Funds were raised by selling Christmas Trees, Turkeys, Tag Days, and winning many first place prizes. These funds were used to purchase new instruments and uniforms of Scarlet Tunics and fur Busbys. This new appearance of the Memorial Band literally ''shocked'' the Band's competition, both in Ontario and the U.S. communities that we had frequented for the past several years in Naval attire.

Around 1959, the name of the Band was changed to "The Niagara Memorial Militaires Drum Corps" and operated under that name until it disbanded in 1964. Prior to disbanding, The Militaires achieved the distinction of being one of the top three Drum Corps in Canada.

In February of 2006, under the leadership of Founder Ron Jones, the Corps reorganized as the Niagara Memorial Militaires Alumni Drum Corps.

The Corps has become active in local celebrations, parades, and Veteran Memorial services, participating in such events as Canada Day Parade, Christmas Parades, Park Dedications, Legion Memorial Services, etc. throughout the Region of Niagara. The Corps is an ''all age'' Drum and Bugle Corps and is available for participation in community celebratory events.

In 2019, a decision was made to purchase a trailer for our members to ride on in parades. Many of our members have been involved in parades since the 1960's and 1970's and are still young at heart, but find it difficult to march down the street carrying instruments. With the addition of our trailer, we can accomodate our "senior" members as well as our younger members. In 2022, we added a canopy to the trailer to protect us from the rain and sheild us from the sun on hot days. We also added lighting under the canopy to assist those who need to read their music in the evening winter parades.