Burlington Commanders

The Canadian Commanders went inactive after their 1968 season. In late 1969 the corps was resurrected under the sponsorship of the Burlington, Ontario Parks and Recreation Department under the guidance of Laurie Branch. Laurie was the director of the Parks and Recreation Department but was no stranger to drum corps, having been drum major of the old Kitchener Flying Dutchmen senior corps in the 1960's. The new "Burlington" Commanders continued in the same trademark fluorescent orange uniform tops and in 1970 competed in the senior Red Carpet Association.

In 1971 the corps was fortunate to absorb many members of the folded Marching Ambassadors of Toronto and went on to win the Canadian National Championship in Ottawa that year. The corps also placed in the top 12 for DCA and earned DCA membership for 1972. The corps continued to compete in the Red Carpet and DCA circuits during 1972 and 1973 but sadly, folded at the end of the 1973 season. Some members returned to their roots with the Toronto Signals Regiment Trumpet Band or the Hamilton Firefighters Drum Corps. Many Commander vets can be found in these organizations still or with Mighty St. Joe's Alumni Corps.

[Submitted by Bruce Lindsay, August 2007]

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