Some very nice images of the 48th Highlanders.

[48th Highlander]

Someone asked about Plaids.

The pipers wear belted plaids, the Officers and SRNCO's were half plaids, and the JR ranks wear fly plaids. I hope I have the proper nomenclature.

I forgot to mention that the pipers wear Stuart of Fingask in opposition with the rest of the Regiment. Drummers and military band essentially wear the infantry uniform of a scarlet doublet and the Davidson Tartan.

[Gryphon noir]

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m..._5783992_n.jpg


Here's a 48th Highlanders image from the past.

The gentleman in the picture was George M. Stephen, R.S.M. 48th Highlanders. Apparently he was quite a character, a favourite among my mother's uncles. After WW II, George taught at Danforth Technical School. I think this painting hangs there, but there may be a copy at one of the armories in Toronto.

[serenitylala]

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.

Oh, why do you post these things?! Shame on you!

You're tempting me with pure eye candy. ;)

Seriously, nice pictures. Thank you for posting them.

[David Thorpe]

Great pics and stories. Thank you, and thank you for your service. Your pride is justified.

[Tobus]

I could post a bunch of historical pics for you

Umm, yes please!

This is great stuff. Love the pics!

[48th Highlander]

Thank you, I will post more as I have time.

This experience as a young man has prejudiced me in a few ways as far as wearing a kilt outfit. I can barely look at a medium and lightweight kilt, but now living in MD where it is very hot and humid in the summer can be uncomfortable, and I am now jealous when I see a med kilt. At one point in my youth, I wore the kilt every day for almost 6 months straight as I was posted to the Ceremonial Guard in Ottawa. I was only issued 1, and it got a bit ripe as I would have to wear it long stretches between having a chance to have it basted and cleaned. 6 months of going commando in a heavy kilt in the summer is not suggested but was required.

I am learning to open my mind to some of the non-traditional, or super casual adaptations of the kilt. For so many years of my life being scrutinized for the proper wearing of a kilt, my eyes nearly dropped out when I saw the fella wearing flip flops and a T-shirt with his kilt. I am being conditioned though thanks to the site, and bought a pair of Dr. Marten brouge ankle boots which I will try and wear with my kilt. Still trying to figure out what would go on the top end. It was hard for me just to wear hose flashes on the sides of my legs instead of toward the front.

Canada has seen so much immigration since I was a kid, that first generation Canadian's would ask me where I was from when I was wearing a kilt. I would say, I am from Canada, and they would look puzzled like why would I be wearing kilt if I was Canadian. Instead of getting upset and telling them to consult a history book, I politely explain (everyone in a kilt is an ambassador to the kilt.) This is a long time result of Prime Minister Trudeau's de-Britianization of Canada and its military after confederation. One of the first things he did was to relegate the Black Watch from a permanent Force Unit to the Reserves. He did this with the Canadian Guards, and any other unit that a strong British heritage.

I am proud to be a new member here on X-Marks, and see all of you guys making an effort to keep this alive and relevant whilst kids wear giant pants with the crotch below their knees.

This is all pretty foreign to my children. So last year, I had a new kilt made and have worn it on many occasions. The last at my Girls Daddy Daughter Dance at their elementary school. They were horrified of me taking them wearing a kilt. They begged me not to. I knew they would appreciate it after all was said and done. They really did appreciate it, and were very proud of the way I looked. Their friends thought it was very cool! Some of the younger black kids pointed and laughed and made a big deal about it as I am sure they have never even seen a kilt. My kids seeing that I was not at all embarrassed, and that I was proud to wear it was a lesson in itself on confidence and acceptance of others traditions, heritage, and choices.

Enough rambling! Glad to be here and so welcomed by everyone.

[creagdhubh]

Umm, yes please!

This is great stuff. Love the pics!

Likewise! Thanks for sharing mate!

[serenitylala]

The last at my Girls Daddy Daughter Dance at their elementary school. They were horrified of me taking them wearing a kilt. They begged me not to. I knew they would appreciate it after all was said and done. They really did appreciate it, and were very proud of the way I looked. Their friends thought it was very cool! Some of the younger black kids pointed and laughed and made a big deal about it as I am sure they have never even seen a kilt. My kids seeing that I was not at all embarrassed, and that I was proud to wear it was a lesson in itself on confidence and acceptance of others traditions, heritage, and choices.

Enough rambling! Glad to be here and so welcomed by everyone.

Now that's cute. It is good that you were teaching your children pride in your heritage and traditions! Very few parents care to teach those things anymore.

We're all glad you are here on xmarks. Thank you for your story and your posts.

[piperchris]

Great pictures! Very inspirational! Thanks for posting them!

[Macman]

What a great thread! It's great to hear your background and story, and the pictures are wonderful.