Spacetown Cadets

The Spacetown Cadets began in October 1962. Derry had the "Youth Marines" Drum and Bugle Corps which disbanded some years before. Members of that unit included: Ron Myette (Director M/M Instructor) Frank Galvin (Horns) Gene Charron (Drums) formerly a member of the St. Joseph's "Townsmen" of Amesbury Ma.

The corps competed in Standstill Contest in the Winter, in many parades and field contests. Drum and Bugle members also competed in National Contest (which were held in Concord NH) doing quite well for a Corps from New Hampshire. The Corps had strong parent support as well as town support. A great organization during the sixties and early 70's.

They called themselves the Spacetown Cadets because America's first man in space was astronaut Alan B Sheppard who was from Derry N.H. They competed in the N.H. All-American Circuit in the early 1970s.

The corps wore white military jackets, blue pants, with a red sash. They bought these uniforms from Saint Joseph's Townsmen from nearby Amesbury MA who had marched in the Emass and CYO Circuits some years before. They made only one alteration to the Townsmen unis. St Joseph's had a red monogram on the left breast of the jacket, S J T, for St Joseph's Townsmen. Spacetown changed it to read S T C, for Spacetown Cadets. They were a nice little small town unit that was competitive within the circuit.

Submitted by Gil Norton
Updated by Gene Charron - April 2007
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"Spacetown Cadets Latest N.H. Entry by T.L. LORDEN
The latest aspirants of what may well be the fastest developing drum corps state in the nation are the SPACETOWN CADETS in Derry, N.H. Alan Sheppard, our first astronaut, is a native of Derry, and the local citizenry have been thriving on the publicity since he became a nationally-known figure.
Spacetown presently boasts of 21 buglers, 14 drummers, and a 10-girl color guard - all of whom are new to the activity. Featured numbers for the 3-month old unit already include "Over There," "Linda," "Streets of Loretto," and "Skokian" in concert. Excellent progress to date has boosted the hopes of corps officials toward entering field contests next summer. However, a fire which destroyed the local VFW along with our Cadets' drums and other equipment has proved to be a serious, if only temporary, obstacle.
Mr. Wilfred Holroyd, equipment manager, has announced that the unit is presently in the market for used or new equipment, especially bugles, flags, poles, and sabres. All corps, firms, or individuals, having such items for sale should contact him immediately at 7 MacLarnon Road, Salem, N.H.
The Spacetown Cadets have recently become associated with the N.H. All-American body and will host that group's next meeting in April.
This writer joins, I am sure, all area enthusiasts in wishing the best of luck to this energetic new unit, the Spacetown Cadets."

[From the May 8, 1963 DCN]

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