Some very nice images of the 48th Highlanders.

**48th Highlander** · 5th March 12, 05:40 PM

Hey guys,

Imagine this, I was 17 years old, with my mothers signature, I joined the Canadian Armed Forces, in particular the 48th Highlanders of Canada. It is a famous Infantry Regiment founded in Toronto in 1891. Colonel in Chief, Queen Elizabeth II, more battle honors than any other un-amalgamated Canadian Regiment (50). Nicknamed the four dirty dozen, the glory boys, and the red watch. The allied regiment, the Gordon Highlanders (longest unbroken allied unit relationship in the commonwealth)

It is said that you are more likely to see someone in a Kilt in Toronto, than just about anywhere in Scotland. Well, having lived in Toronto, and visited Scotland, I would say that is true if you consider the non-tourist attraction use of the Kilt. Toronto, and much of Canada was settled by Scots, and by rights, built by Scots. Highland Regiments were posted to Canada, and some stayed. Their traditions, dress, everything frozen in time from the time of their arrival. The 48th was not one of these regiments. By rights, it was founded by the citizens of Toronto with their own money (mostly successful Scots). The 48th wear the Modern Davidson Tartan which was the tartan of the first Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. John Davidson.

I could post a bunch of historical pics for you, but lets start with the Regiment today. Pomp and ceremony is a sideline specialty of the Highland Regiment as they really are a sight to see. History preserved.

Feel free to ask questions of the pictures posted, or anything you might want to know.

BTW, I am 41 now. I was in the 48th from 1987-1995. Can you imagine what a great experience it was to be a part of your country's living history? It was magic. I now face my mid life crisis looking back fondly on these times.

The 48th Pipes and Drums and military band has played the game opener for the Toronto Maple Leafs since 1917-1918. The Leafs moved into the Maple Leaf Gardens, they played. Maple Leaf Gardens was retired and they moved into the Air Canada Center. The bands played for the last time in Maple Leaf Gardens, and then led the leafs out of the gardens for a 2 mile hike through the streets of Toronto into the ACC. This picture is from this years season opener game.

Here is a picture of Captain Alkema on Remembrance Day Parade 2011 (120th anniversary of the Regiment). The wee lad as it turns out is his son. This is a very unusual picture, but one that played out on parade. He knew people were snapping pics and went on a internet wide search to the get the picture. Priceless.

Here is the regiment doing the Honor Guard at the Annual Royal Winter Fair. Another tradition as old as the fair itself. Seen are the Colors of the Regiment, the Queen's and Regimental Colours.

The Regiment on Parade in Toronto.

Hey guys, I will post a little bit at a time. Ask questions if you like, I will keep this going as long as someone is interested.

**jhockin** · 5th March 12, 07:05 PM

Do you have any pleat shots? Just wondering what type of pleating, on the kilts?
Also, are they wearing "piper's plaids" or 'half plaids'? or "Belted plaids"?

**48th Highlander** · 5th March 12, 07:13 PM

I don't need pleat shots. First thing, the modern Davidson is done in a sett size that is mostly unique to the 48th Highlanders. Much larger sett size than the other mills. It is Strome 16 OZ, knife pleated to the stripe. Officers and SNCO's have a double fringe on the apron.

Burnetts and Struth has been the Regimental Tailor for many years except during the dark times in 1991 during the centennial celebrations. So many kilts were required, the regiment hired a movie wardrobe company to imitate the proper kilt.

**48th Highlander** · 5th March 12, 07:34 PM

One thing you might notice about the kilt flashes. Senior NCO's and Officers wear belled flashes (red) from the Gordons (Charge of the Gordons and Greys fame). The flashes are only properly worn when the outside edge of the flash is aligned with the center of your shin, or the center of the diamond on the diced hose.

You will notice that in the pic of the boys wearing patrol dress.

**48th Highlander** · 5th March 12, 07:46 PM

**piperchris** · 6th March 12, 09:23 AM

Great pictures! Very inspirational! Thanks for posting them!

**artificer** · 5th March 12, 07:13 PM

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing these. Any chance, btw of a close up of the dress sporran?

I'd also be interested to know how their kilts are pleated.

ith:

**48th Highlander** · 5th March 12, 07:20 PM

Artificer, I will post some pictures of the dress sporrans (as I have them) they differ by rank. I recently paid my deposit to you to develop a skunk sporran for me.

Let me tell you why. The regiment has lost a standard of dress for retired members of the regiment. While it seems to be a faux pas to wear a long hair sporran, a retired member can wear a short hair sporran. Look at the long hair sporran the 48th wear. Black horsehair with 2 white tassels. The skunk sporran you will make me will make me will be in the spirit of that long hair sporran. The current RSM (Regimental Sergeant Major) who is former Black Watch is reaching back to Scotland for a recommendations for retired members of the regiment. The skunk sporran really fits the bill for this. I can't wait to show it off!

**artificer** · 5th March 12, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by 48th Highlander

Artificer, I will post some pictures of the dress sporrans (as I have them) they differ by rank. I recently paid my deposit to you to develop a skunk sporran for me.

Let me tell you why. The regiment has lost a standard of dress for retired members of the regiment. While it seems to be a faux pas to wear a long hair sporran, a retired member can wear a short hair sporran. Look at the long hair sporran the 48th wear. Black horsehair with 2 white tassels. The skunk sporran you will make me will make me will be in the spirit of that long hair sporran. The current RSM (Regimental Sergeant Major) who is former Black Watch is reaching back to Scotland for a recommendations for retired members of the regiment. The skunk sporran really fits the bill for this. I can't wait to show it off!

Thank you. I'd be most interested to see both officer's and other rank's sporrans.

Yes, I remembered what you told me of your previous service. It's very interesting to hear about the dress standards for those no longer on active duty. If there's more to the story I'd love to hear it (even if it's via email and not for public consumption).

ith:

edit: VERY sharp photo- your lot really looks the business!
and can I just say "WOW"! the Senior Officer's sporran (antique) should be in a museum of art and design! It's gorgeous.

**48th Highlander** · 5th March 12, 07:29 PM

Here is a pic of my old mates. To answer the question about sporrans, JNCO's wear horsehair black, two white tassels, a patent leather cantle with the cap badge. Sgt's and warrants wear the same with a single chromed band across the top of the cantle. SGT MAJ's (CWO's and MWO's) wear a JR. Officers sporran for which the cantle is all silver metal and engraved ornately. The senior officers have three white horsehair tassels, and the CO wears a gold cantle. This is as I remember.

Here are a group of my friends in around the 1996 time frame in Patrol Dress. Note the difference in the SR and JR NCO's sporrans.

This is a senior officers sporran.

The above sporran is an antique sporran, but that is par for the course as they are handed down. The above sporran belongs in a museum.