History of the Parade Square/Ground

[AndrewDL]

Afternoon All,

I'm doing some research for my Chief on the origin of the parade square. 

I've got a spattering of information from a few sources, with the rightful origin being the training ground for drill during the transition from melee to close formation combat.  In more modern times it serves a more ceremonial role whether it be in basic training to build teamwork or for any of the hundreds of different ceremonies we perform.

What I'm looking for if anyone cares to share is something uniquely Canadian/Common wealth, perhaps an interesting story or anecdote, or perhaps a more complete story on the parade squares evolution.  Think something that would grab the interest of a bunch of people sitting in the 30+C Moose Jaw sun.


Cheers and Thanks!

-The "Young" 2Lt

 

[Remius]

http://www.army.gov.au/Our-history/Traditions/The-Parade-Ground

A bit of info here.

 

[Michael OLeary]

The book "Customs and Traditions of the Canadian Armed Forces" (E.C.Russell, 1980) doesn't even list 'parade square' in the index.

 

[cupper]

You could volunteer to carry the keys to the parade square.  [

 

[Michael OLeary]

The 2016 edition of Regimental Standing Orders for The Royal Canadian Regiment includes the following:

Parade Square

12. In The RCR the parade square is "out of bounds" when a
parade is in progress. It is permissible to traverse the parade square
on foot at any other time, however, it must be done smartly and entail
paying respects to memorials and flags that may be adjacent to the
parade square.

13. Members of the regiment visiting another unit, base or ship
always observe local customs without permitting their own standards
to drop.

http://thercr.ca/main/images/downloads/20160101RSOs.pdf

 

[Blackadder1916]

. . .  Moose Jaw . . .

There's a parade square at Moose Jaw (a real one - not a parking lot or portion of the apron used for the occasional bashing)?

I had a quick look but nothing jumped out.

And that's the evolution (in many cases) of parade squares - they were converted to parking lots.  Pers from Halifax can now start complaining about parking charges.