Focus on CUC History:
Students Participated in Coronation Celebrations for King George VI

Reporting on the Coronation Day celebrations of May 12, 1937, honoring King George VI, the Lacombe Globe reported, “Never in the history of Lacombe was a larger or more colorful procession formed.”   

The students of Canadian Junior College joined about 1,200 students from 19 community schools in that procession which was almost one mile long. The CJC women wore patriotic tiaras in red, white and blue, while the men wore white-topped military hats. The women carried a banner to identify Canadian Junior College as they were led by Desmond Tinkler’s* motorcycle to the pavilion in Lacombe for the program. Others rode in the school’s pickup truck. CJC’s president, Hubert K. Martin was among six speakers who were to confine their addresses to five minutes.

As the students filed out of the pavilion they were presented with a Coronation medal souvenir and an ice cream cone. At noon the King’s speech was broadcast by loudspeaker at the football grounds. Prizes were given for the best decorated banners, floats and bicycles with Gull Lake School being the top winner.

In the afternoon 33 competitive track events were held for the children. Winners from College Heights were Averill Jones, Helen Palmer and Violet Justinen. The day concluded with a bonfire and fireworks display in the evening with 3,000 children and adults attending.

*Desmond Tinkler was Joyce Van Scheik’s father. Joyce was CUC’s head librarian 1993-2007.

President's Note:  This glimpse of CUC's history is the first of what will be a monthly feature prepared by Edith Fitch, who does brilliant work in our Archives Office.  If you have questions related to CUC's history, you can reach our volunteers in Archives by e-mailing archives@cauc.ca

Desmond Tinkler

Hubert K. Martin
President of Canadian Junior College, 1933-1937