Crusaders

The Crusaders of Wilmington drum & bugle corps was originally founded in the fall of 1962 by, Elroy (Roy) Wallace and his wife Ruth as the Wilmington Youth Canteen, Inc., a popular drop-in center for teens. Roy was the co-president, along with Robert Tillotson.

In early 1963, the group’s name was officially changed to the Wilmington Youth Crusaders. At the time the corps was organized, there was only the Wilmington High School band, but no elementary or junior high bands. The Crusaders not only filled that void but provided a spark in the lives of many youngsters and inspired them to perform at a high level. It gave them pride, discipline and the joy of accomplishment.

In their first two years of activity, the corps performed in local parades and exhibitions, competing in the Mayflower “Class C” division and was accepted in the 1965 Eastern Massachusetts (E-Mass), participating in the “Class C” circuit. The following season saw the corps move up to the 1966 E-Mass “Class A-2” division, sporting their new red, black and white uniforms, where they competed over the next three years. The group had also organized a feeder corps called the Swordmen. 

In 1969, drum major Charlie "Silky" Southmaid, also known as one of the best rifle handlers ever in New England, led the Crusaders to their first championship in the Mayflower “Class B” circuit and 3rd place in the E-Mass “Class A-2” division. The group also placed 9th in the finals of the 1969 World Open “Class B” championships. In the fall of 1969, a tragedy struck two of the Crusaders’ families, an event that forged a bond with other area drum corps who offered their support and friendship. The Dantes of Hyde Park, were especially close to the Crusaders. In 1970, the Wilmington Youth Crusaders moved up to “Class A” contention, participating at the World Open preliminaries, placing 37^th and finished 3^rd in the Mayflower contest. 

The next two seasons, they appeared at the US Open “Class A” prelims, where they placed 9^th in 1971 and 19^th in 1972 along with a 35^th place finish in the 1971 World Open “Class A” championships. They concluded both seasons with 3^rd place finishes in the 1971 Mayflower “Class A” and the 1972 E-Mass “Class A-1” division.

In 1973, the Wilmington Youth Crusaders merged into the Beverly Cardinals and reorganized the Wilmington Crusaders as a “Class C” feeder corps to compete regionally in the 1973 Mayflower grouping, winning the 1974 Mayflower title, placing 2^nd in the 1975 Mayflower contest. The corps traveled to Prince Edward Island, Canada in 1975 and were hailed as Wilmington’s musical ambassadors. In 1976, after the Cardinals organization merged to form the North Star, the corps regrouped once again under new sponsorship from the Elks Club, expanding regionally to include Tewksbury as the Elks Crusaders. In their final season of competition, they managed a 3^rd place finish in the Mayflower “Class C” circuit.

Over the years some of the group’s assistant managers were Jimmy Shine, Robert Tillotson, Sr., Chuck Thibadeau, Harold Rezendes, and Bob Welch. Instructional staff included Jim Lutz, Sr., on bugles and Mike Cahill on percussion, as well as Lee "Sharpie" Gianangelle and Louie La Selva. 

In 1977, the corps merged with the Militiamen of Bedford to form the Crusading Militiamen.

Members (2)