A Sudbury man has recently returned from a trip to the United Kingdom as he continues his efforts to promote and preserve British culture and history.
Dr. Kevin McCormick is the president and vice-chancellor of Huntington University in Sudbury and the honorary colonel of the Irish Regiment of Canada. He recently returned from another trip to the United Kingdom, continuing his decades of dedicated service to the preservation and promotion of British history, culture, and relations between Canada and the UK.
McCormick is also the founder of projects like Crown and Canada, the British Military History and UK-Canada Military History initiatives, and Project Honour and Preserve.
In March and on his own dime, McCormick visited Britain and Northern Ireland to make presentations of approximately 175 awards, including 125 Platinum Jubilee Awards. He also presented several Distinguished Fellowships and Awards of Excellence to individuals and groups “who have made significant contributions towards the promotion and preservation of British culture and history, as well as towards the development of innovative relationships between Canada and Britain.”
“2023 marks a momentous time in the history of Britain, the UK and the Commonwealth, which includes Canada,” McCormick said in a news release. “I wanted to commemorate the occasion of His Majesty King Charles III’s coronation in a meaningful and enduring way, while actively promoting British culture and history, and especially British military history.
“During this time, I have been honoured to present numerous awards to young people and distinguished individuals from Canada and the United Kingdom who have contributed immeasurably to British history, culture and innovative initiatives between Canada and the UK.”
Among the many who were awarded were:
- Crown and Canada Distinguished Fellowship: David McCorkell, Lord Lieutenant for County Antrim
- Crown and Canada Distinguished Fellowship: Neil Salisbury, Deputy Lord Lieutenant for County Antrim
- UK-Canada Military History Distinguished Fellowship: Colonel Adrian Donaldson MBE, Commandant, 1st Northern Ireland Army Cadet Force
- UK-Canada Military History Distinguished Fellowship: Captain Gary Miniss, 1st Northern Ireland Battalion Army Cadet Force
- UK-Canada Military History Award of Distinction and Coronation Award: Ellie May Wilson, Probationary Instructor, 1st Northern Ireland Battalion Army Cadet Force
- UK-Canada Military History Distinguished Fellowship, Military History Award of Distinction and Coronation Award, Canada UK Foundation and John McCrae 150 Project: Sergeant James Hughes, 1st Northern Ireland Battalion Army Cadet Force UK-Canada
- UK-Canada Military History Distinguished Fellowship: Wanda Hamilton, CEO, Canada UK Foundation
“I am immensely proud to be chosen as a recipient of the Coronation Award created and presented by Honorary Colonel Kevin McCormick of the Irish Regiment of Canada,” Ellie May Wilson, probationary instructor, 1st Northern Ireland Battalion – Army Cadet Force, said in the news release. “The award, which has been given to young people throughout the UK and Canada, is a remarkable way to acknowledge and celebrate the vital role of the Sovereign and Royal Family. To be included in this amazing group of recipients is, without question, a very deep honour.”
In addition to presenting awards to worthy recipients, over the years Dr. McCormick has travelled extensively finding, acquiring and then returning artifacts and items pertaining to Canadian and UK history and heritage to museums, families, or governments across Canada and within the United Kingdom.
