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| The 48th Highlanders of Canada | |
|---|---|
Regimental badge | |
| Active | 16 October 1891 – present |
| Country | Canada |
| Branch | Canadian Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light infantry |
| Size | 1battalion |
| Part of | 32 Canadian Brigade Group |
| Garrison/HQ | Moss Park Armoury, Toronto, Ontario |
| Nicknames |
|
| Motto | Dileas gu brath (Scottish Gaelic for 'faithful forever') |
| March | "48th Highlanders Slow March"; Quick – "Highland Laddie" |
| Engagements | |
| Battle honours | See#Battle honours |
| Website | army-armee |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | LCol T.D. Wentzell. |
| Honorary colonel | HCol S. Darling |
| Regimental sergeant major | CWO M.G. French |
| Notable commanders |
|
| Insignia | |
| NATO Map Symbol | |
The48th Highlanders of Canada is aCanadian ForcesPrimary Reserveinfantryregiment based inToronto, Ontario, parading out ofMoss Park Armoury. The regiment is part of4th Canadian Division's32 Canadian Brigade Group.[1][2][3][4]
The regiment was formed in 1891, and a battalion using the 48th's badges and tartan fought in France and Flanders in the First World War. The regiment fielded an overseas battalion for the Second World War that fought in Sicily, Italy and northwestern Europe.
On a torteau the number 48 Argent above a scroll Azure edged and inscribed "Highlanders" in capital letters Argent, all encircled by a belt Azure edged buckled and inscribed "dileas gu brath" in capital letters Argent, overall in chief on a wreath Argent and Gules a falcon's head couped Argent.[2]
The falcon's head is adopted from the crest of theClan Davidson, the regiment's first commanding officer being Lieutenant-Colonel John Irvine Davidson, and the predominant colours of red and blue are from the Davidson tartan that the regiment wears. The number "48" and the word "Highlanders" are a form of the regimental title and "dileas gu brath" is the motto of the regiment.[2]
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The 48th Highlanders of Canada perpetuate the15th Battalion (48th Highlanders of Canada), CEF, the92nd Battalion (48th Highlanders), CEF, and the134th Battalion (48th Highlanders), CEF.[1]
The 48 Highlanders contributed individual volunteers for the Canadian contingents to South Africa, mainly the2nd (Special Service) Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry.

DuringWorld War I, the 15th Battalion, CEF, was authorized on 1 September 1914 and embarked for Britain on 26 September 1914 and arrived in France on 15 February 1915. The battalion fought as part of the 3rd Infantry Brigade,1st Canadian Division in France and Flanders throughout the war. The 15th Battalion was disbanded on 30 August 1920.
The92nd Battalion (48th Highlanders), CEF was authorized on 30 July 1915 and embarked for Britain on 20 May 1916, where the battalion provided reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field until 24 January 1917, when its personnel were absorbed by the 5th Reserve Battalion, CEF before being disbanded on 1 September 1917.
The 134th Battalion was authorized on 22 December 1915 and embarked for Britain on 8 August 1916, where it provided reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field until 7 March 1918, when its personnel were absorbed by the 12th Reserve Battalion, CEF. The battalion was then disbanded on 29 November 1918.
DuringWorld War II, the regiment mobilized the 48th Highlanders of Canada, CASF, on 1 September 1939. It was subsequently redesignated the 1st Battalion, 48th Highlanders of Canada, CASF, on 7 November 1940. It departed Canada for Britain on 16 December 1939, and on 13 June 1940, it went to France as part of the abortiveSecond British Expeditionary Force. The battalion reached Sablé-sur-Sarthe before being ordered back to Britain. It landed in Sicily on 10 July 1943 and in Italy on 3 September 1943 as part of the1st Canadian Infantry Brigade,1st Canadian Infantry Division. In March 1945, the regiment moved with the remainder of theI Canadian Corps to North-West Europe, where it fought until the end of the war. The overseas battalion was disbanded on 31 December 1945.
On 1 June 1945, a second battalion of the regiment was mobilized for service in the Pacific theatre of operations, designated as the 3rd Canadian Infantry Battalion (48th Highlanders of Canada), CASF. This battalion was disbanded on 1 November 1945.[1]

Since its formation in 1891, the 48th Highlanders have had a longstanding tradition of participation in the life of its parent city, Toronto. The regiment has participated in community functions for over 100 years, in addition to fulfilling its operational duties around the world. Since its inception, the men and women of the regiment have been among the first Canadians to step forward and answer their nation's call. Members of the regiment have served on Operation Recuperation, in theGolan Heights, Korea, South Africa, Cambodia, Cyprus, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Ukraine and most recently Latvia, Poland and Iraq (Operation Inherent Resolve).
The regiment is allied with theBritish Army'sRoyal Regiment of Scotland, formerly theHighlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) (formerly theGordon Highlanders). The relationship with the Gordon Highlanders represents the oldest officially sanctioned regimental alliance in theCommonwealth, and small unit exchanges are conducted frequently.
A memorial was erected inMount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto sometime after 1912 in honour of two soldiers killed returning from a training exercise in 1912 and as a monument to the 48th Highlanders of Canada's veterans and war dead of the South African War.[6]
The regiment provided a guard of honour for theG7 summit in 1988, a full royal guard of honour for Queen Elizabeth II in 1998 as well as the Royal Winter Fair, annually. The Regimental Colour Party has marched in events as far afield as Prince Edward Island and the United States and remains in great demand as a living example of the pageantry and gallantry of the Highland regimental tradition. On September 8th, 2022, the unit was one of the few Canadian units invited to send a procession contingent to march in and observe the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Special significance was attached to this event, as the 48th Highlanders were among the first three units to which she was appointed in October, 1947. Command of that contingent was under Lieutenant Colonel Jason Morische, CD.
The regiment's motto isdileas gu brath, which isGaelic for "faithful forever". The regimentaltartan is the Davidson, but pipers wear the Stewart of Fingask. The regiment'scolonel-in-chief was QueenElizabeth II until 8 September 2022, with her death.
United States -48th Infantry Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard (Army)
The regiment'sMilitary Band and the Pipes and Drums have played at everyToronto Maple Leafs home opening game at bothMaple Leaf Gardens and theAir Canada Centre. The bands were requested byConn Smythe, who had been a major in theFirst World War, to play at the opening of the new Maple Leaf Gardens on 12 November 1931.
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 duringWorld War II in the1st Canadian Infantry Brigade of the1st Canadian Infantry Division. The brigade was being inspected byKing George VI but there were not enough regulation khakiputtees (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.[9]
The nickname "Dirty Four Dozen" is a play onThe Dirty Dozen and "48" being equivalent to four dozen.[9]
The regiment supports twocadet corps. These are the 48th Highlanders Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, which is based in the same armoury as the regiment itself, and 142 St. Andrew's College Highland Cadet Corps, based inAurora as one of the mandatory activities for students ofSt. Andrew's College.
| Established | 1959 |
|---|---|
| Location | St. Andrew's Church at the comer of King and Simcoe in Toronto |
| Website | http://www.48highlanders.com/04_03.html |
The 48th Highlanders Museum is in downtown Toronto in the basement ofSt. Andrew's Church at the corner of King and Simcoe. The mission of the Museum is to collect, preserve, research and photograph material relating to the history of the 48th Highlanders of Canada, its former members and its site, and, through the appropriate display of such items, to convey this history to the currently serving members, the broader Canadian Forces community and the public. The museum includes regimental uniforms, medals, photographs, weapons and other artifacts. Founded in 1959, the museum opened in its current location in 1997. The Museum is affiliated with:CMA,CHIN,OMMC andVirtual Museum of Canada.
| Preceded by | 48th Highlanders of Canada | Succeeded by |
43°39′17″N79°22′22″W / 43.654586°N 79.372914°W /43.654586; -79.372914