48th Highlanders of Canada facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The 48th Highlanders of Canada |
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48th Highlanders of Canada cap badge
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| Active | 16 October 1891 - present |
| Country | Canada |
| Branch | Canadian Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | To close with and destroy the enemy |
| Size | 1 battalion |
| Part of | 32 Canadian Brigade Group 4th Canadian Division |
| Garrison/HQ | Moss Park Armoury Toronto, Ontario |
| Nickname(s) | The Glamour Boys The Four Dozen The Famous 48th |
| Motto(s) | Scottish Gaelic: Dileas gu brath, lit. 'faithful forever' |
| March | "48th Highlanders Slow March"; Quick – "Highland Laddie" |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
LCol R.A. Alkema, CD |
| Colonel-in-chief | Queen Elizabeth II |
| Honorary colonel | HCol M. Scott |
| Regimental Sergeant Major | CWO C.E.A. Reesor, CD |
| Notable commanders |
15th Bn CEF: Lt Col CE Bent. 1st Bn 48 Highrs: Brig IS Johnston Lt Col D MacKenzie |
| Insignia | |
| NATO Map Symbol |  -_Infantry_(NATO_APP-6).svg) |
The 48th Highlanders of Canada is a special group of part-time soldiers in the Canadian Army. They are an infantry regiment, which means they are trained to fight on foot. Based in Toronto, Ontario, they practice at the Moss Park Armoury. They are part of a larger group called the 32 Canadian Brigade Group, which is part of the 4th Canadian Division.
Since 1891, the 48th Highlanders have been an important part of Toronto. They have helped with community events for over 100 years. They also serve Canada around the world. Members of the regiment have helped in places like the Golan Heights, Korea, South Africa, Cambodia, Cyprus, Bosnia, and Afghanistan. They also fought in both World Wars and the Second Boer War.
The regiment works closely with the Royal Regiment of Scotland from the British Army. This partnership is the oldest official army friendship in the Commonwealth. Soldiers from both groups often visit and train together.
A special monument was built in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto. It honors two soldiers who died after a training exercise in 1912. It also remembers all the 48th Highlanders who served and died in the South African War.
The regiment has a few nicknames. They are called "The Glamour Boys" or "The Four Dozen". The name "The Glamour Boys" came from other regiments during World War II. The 48th Highlanders were part of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division. When King George VI inspected them, they didn't have enough regular khaki leg wraps (called puttees). So, the 48th had to wear blue ones. The King liked the blue puttees and told them to keep wearing them. They wore blue puttees until their uniforms changed. The nickname "Four Dozen" is a fun way to say "48," like in the movie The Dirty Dozen.
The regiment often takes part in important events. They were a guard of honor for the G7 summit in 1988. They also provided a full royal guard for Queen Elizabeth II in 1998. Every year, they are part of the Royal Winter Fair. Their special flag-carrying group, the Regimental Colour Party, has marched in events far away, even in the United States. They show the proud traditions of Highland regiments.
The regiment has a Military Band and a Pipes and Drums band. These bands have played at every Toronto Maple Leafs home opening game. This includes games at both Maple Leaf Gardens and the Air Canada Centre. Conn Smythe, who was a major in the First World War, asked the bands to play. They first played at the opening of the new Maple Leaf Gardens on November 12, 1931.
The regiment's motto is dileas gu brath. This is Gaelic for "faithful forever." Their special pattern of cloth, called a tartan, is the Davidson. However, the pipers wear the Stewart of Fingask tartan. Queen Elizabeth II is the regiment's colonel-in-chief, which is an honorary leader.
The regiment also supports two cadet groups for young people. One is the 48th Highlanders Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps. It is based in the same building as the regiment. The other is the 142 St. Andrew's College Highland Cadet Corps. This group is in Aurora and is a required activity for students at St. Andrew's College.
Contents
Regiment's History in Wars
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The 48th Highlanders have a long history of serving in major conflicts.
Second Boer War
During the Second Boer War (1899-1902), individual volunteers from the 48th Highlanders joined Canadian groups sent to South Africa. Most of them joined the 2nd (Special Service) Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry.
First World War Service
In World War I (1914-1918), the 48th Highlanders formed several battalions.
- The 15th Battalion, CEF, was created in September 1914. They went to Britain and then to France in February 1915. This battalion fought as part of the 3rd Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division, throughout the war. It was officially ended in 1920.
- The 92nd Battalion (48th Highlanders), CEF, was formed in July 1915. They went to Britain in May 1916. This battalion sent new soldiers to help the Canadian Corps fighting in the war. It was ended in 1917.
- The 134th Battalion was formed in December 1915. They went to Britain in August 1916. This battalion also sent new soldiers to the Canadian Corps. It was ended in 1918.
Second World War Service
During World War II (1939-1945), the regiment created the 48th Highlanders of Canada, CASF, in September 1939. This group later became the 1st Battalion, 48th Highlanders of Canada.
- They left Canada for Britain in December 1939.
- In June 1940, they went to France as part of the Second British Expeditionary Force. They had to return to Britain soon after.
- The battalion landed in Sicily in July 1943 and in Italy in September 1943. They were part of the 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Infantry Division.
- In March 1945, they moved to North-West Europe and fought there until the war ended. This overseas battalion was officially ended in December 1945.
- Another battalion, the 3rd Canadian Infantry Battalion (48th Highlanders of Canada), was formed in June 1945. This group was meant to serve in the Pacific. However, it was ended in November 1945.
48th Highlanders Museum
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| Established | 1959 |
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| Location | St. Andrew's Church at the comer of King and Simcoe in Toronto |
The 48th Highlanders Museum is in downtown Toronto. You can find it in the basement of St. Andrew's Church, at the corner of King and Simcoe streets. The museum's goal is to collect and keep items related to the regiment's history. This includes uniforms, medals, photos, weapons, and other artifacts. They also share this history with current soldiers and the public.
The museum was started in 1959. It opened in its current location in 1997. It is connected with other museum groups in Canada.
Battle Honors and Achievements
Battle honors are special awards given to military units for their bravery and success in battles. The 48th Highlanders have earned many of these honors.
Early History Honors
First World War Honors
- Ypres, 1915, '17
- Gravenstafel
- St. Julien
- Festubert, 1915
- Mount Sorrel
- Somme, 1916
- Pozières
- Thiepval
- Ancre Heights
- Arras, 1917, '18
- Vimy, 1917
- Arleux
- Scarpe 1917, '18
- Hill 70
- Passchendaele
- Amiens
- Drocourt–Quéant
- Hindenburg Line
- Canal du Nord
- Pursuit to Mons
- France and Flanders, 1915–18
Second World War Honors
- Landing in Sicily
- Valguarnera
- Assoro
- Agira
- Adrano
- Regalbuto
- Sicily, 1943
- Landing at Reggio
- Campobasso
- Torella
- San Leonardo
- The Gully
- Ortona
- San Nicola–San Tommaso
- Cassino II
- Gustav Line
- Liri Valley
- Hitler Line
- Gothic Line
- Lamone Crossing
- Misano Ridge
- Rimini Line
- San Martino–San Lorenzo
- Fosso Vecchio
- Italy, 1943–1945
- Apeldoorn
- North-West Europe, 1945
War in Afghanistan Honor
- Afghanistan
Alliances and Friends
The 48th Highlanders have special alliances with other military groups.
United Kingdom – Royal Regiment of Scotland (United Kingdom)
Australia - The Royal Victoria Regiment (Australia)
Media and Books
Here are some books about the 48th Highlanders:
- History of The 48th Highlanders of Canada 1929-1956 by Kim Beattie (1957)
- Family of volunteers: An illustrated history of the 48th Highlanders of Canada by George W Beal (2001)
Order of Precedence
| Preceded by The Essex and Kent Scottish |
48th Highlanders of Canada | Succeeded by Le Régiment du Saguenay |
