The 48th Highlanders of Canada is a Canadian Forces Primary Reserve infantry regiment based in Toronto, Ontario, parading out of Moss Park Armoury. The regiment is part of 4th Canadian Division's 32 Canadian Brigade Group.

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.

Regimental Badge

Description

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 "" in capital letters Argent, overall in chief on a wreath Argent and Gules a falcon's head couped Argent.

Perpetuations

The 48th Highlanders of Canada perpetuate the 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders of Canada), CEF, the 92nd Battalion (48th Highlanders), CEF, and the 134th Battalion (48th Highlanders), CEF.<gallery>

File:48th Highlanders of Canada Lieutenant preparing to give order to infantrymen San Leonardo Ortona December 1943.jpg|48th Highlanders of Canada 1943

File:Moro 48th counterattack.jpg|Riflemen of the 48th Highlanders of Canada take cover during a German counterattack north of San Leonardo di Ortona in the Moro River Campaign

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History

thumb|48th Highlanders of Canada Regimental Memorial, [[Queen's Park (Toronto)]]

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 the Golan Heights, Korea, South Africa, Cambodia, Cyprus, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Ukraine and most recently Latvia, Poland and Iraq (Operation Inherent Resolve).

The regiment is allied with the British Army's Royal Regiment of Scotland, formerly 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, and small unit exchanges are conducted frequently.

A memorial was erected in Mount 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.

The regiment provided a guard of honour for the G7 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 is , which is Gaelic for "faithful forever". The regimental tartan is the Davidson, but pipers wear the Stewart of Fingask. The regiment's colonel-in-chief was Queen Elizabeth II until 8 September 2022, with her death.

Alliances

Present

  • – Royal Regiment of Scotland
  • - The Royal Victoria Regiment
  • - 48th Infantry Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard (Army)

Past

  • - The Gordon Highlanders (1904–1994)
  • - The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) (1994–2006)

Battle honours

thumb|Regimental colour

South African War

First World War

Second World War

War in Afghanistan

48th Highlanders of Canada Pipes & Drums

The regiment's Military Band and the Pipes and Drums have played at every Toronto Maple Leafs home opening game at both Maple Leaf Gardens and the Air Canada Centre. The bands were 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 12 November 1931.

"The Glamour Boys" & "The Dirty Four Dozen"

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 Brigade of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division. 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 nickname "Dirty Four Dozen" is a play on The Dirty Dozen and "48" being equivalent to four dozen.