48th Highlanders of Canada
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The 48th Highlanders of Canada is a Canadian militia (i.e., part-time Army reserve) infantry regiment based in Toronto.
It was founded in 1891 and has served in every major conflict since.
The regiment is allied with the British Army regiment The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) (formerly the Gordon Highlanders). The relationship with the Gordon Highlanders represents the oldest officially sanctioned regimental alliance in the Commonwealth.
The regiment is nicknamed "The Glamour Boys" or "The Dirty Four Dozen". The name "The Glamour Boys" was coined by the other regiments that served with the 48th Highlanders during World War II in the 1st Canadian Infantry Division, 1 Brigade. The brigade was being inspected by King George VI but there were not enough regulation khaki puttees (leg wrappings) for all the soldiers. The 48th had to wear unofficial blue puttees. The King inquired as to why the 48th wore different puttees from the rest of the brigade. He was told that there were not enough khaki ones for all the units. The King replied that he liked the blue puttees better and that they should keep them. The 48th Highlanders continued to wear blue puttees until battledress was eventually phased out.
The regiment's pipes and drums have played at every Toronto Maple Leafs home opening game at both Maple Leaf Gardens and the Air Canada Centre. The band was requested by Conn Smythe, who had been a major in the First World War, to play at the opening of the new Maple Leaf Gardens on November 12 1931.
The regiment's motto is "Dileas gu brath" which is Gaelic for "faithful forever". The regimental tartan is the Davidson. The regiment's Colonel-in-Chief is Queen Elizabeth II.
The regiment is part of Land Force Central Area's 32 Canadian Brigade Group.
The regiment supports two cadet corps. These two affiliated cadet corps are the 48th Highlanders Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps which is based in the same armoury (Moss Park, Toronto) and the 142nd St. Andrews Cadet Corp based in Aurora as an All Boys Cadet Academy.
External links
- Official Army site (http://www.army.dnd.ca/48HIGHLANDERS/48_highrs/home_e.htm)
- Regimental site (http://www.48highlanders.com/)