Crusaders

The Crusaders drum & bugle corps was formed in the fall of 1963 by Ralph Hawkes and marched for the first time on Memorial Day 1964.

In July 1964, the corps was incorporated as a non-profit organization and began competing in February 1965, under the leadership of Lee Burdick in the New Hampshire All-American standstill circuit, entering the field of competition as members of the New Hampshire All-American “Class B” circuit. They had a financial crisis during the summer of 1965 and nearly disbanded. A group of parents met and reorganized the group and a new set of by-laws was written and new officers chosen.

The following season saw the Crusaders compete in the 1966 NH All-American “Class C” circuit, placing 3^rd and at the end of that year, the administration decoded to hire professional instructors for the corps. The move was a wise one as the Crusaders won the 1967 All-American standstill championships and were second on the field in their class during the 1967 competition season. Also, the Crusaders placed in the top few corps in major parade contests in 1967. A bugle quartet of girls from the Crusaders placed 3rd in the National All-American championships in Boston in November 1967.

In 1968, the Crusaders had a competing color guard which won the “Class C” championships in the Eastern Massachusetts All-American circuit and were 2nd in the New Hampshire championships. That year was a rebuilding one for the corps, consistently placing in the top three in the All-American “Class C’ division. In 1969, the Kingston unit moved up to the “Class B” division, competing in the World Open championships, placing 15th in the prelims and placed 2^nd in the All-American circuit championships. Over the next two seasons, the Crusaders continued to compete in the All-American circuit “Class B” division, winning the 1971 title.

They disbanded in 1972.

Paul Legault (DCX)

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