Dover Cadets

The Dover Cadets drum and bugle corps was formed in June 1938 by Richard H. Peer, former drum major of the U.S. Marine Corps as an independent organization.

The Dover unit entered field competition in 1939, sporting their blue, beige and gold sash trimmed uniforms, until 1941 and participated in the 1939 World’s Fair in New York City. During the World War II conflict, they performed in several parades, concerts and exhibitions during the World War II period, attending the 1946 U.S. Marine convention.

They returned to field competition from 1948 to 1954, placing 2^nd in the 1952 American Legion (AL) district championships, 5^th in the 1953 NJ AL state convention and won the 1954 Eastern States circuit title. Over the next 6 years, the Cadets remained active as a parade and exhibition corps, resuming competitive status in 1961 through to 1965 within local Eastern circuits, returning to the 1964 World’s Fair, representing the New Jersey Pavilion.

The following season saw the drum corps program cease operations as the administration sustained the winter guard program from 1966 to 1968 and hosted the 1968 and 1969 Garden State Circuit championships.

The administration dissolved in 1970.

Paul Legault (DCX)