48^th Highlanders of Canada

Ever since it's formation in 1891, the 48^th Highlanders of Canada have had a long standing tradition of participation in the life of its parent city, Toronto. The Regiment has participated in all aspects of community functions for well 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 amongst the first Canadians to step forward and answer their nation's call. The Regiment's service has included Operation Recuperation, the Golan Heights, Korea, South Africa, Cambodia, Cyprus, Bosnia to name only a few and of course, both the World Wars and the Boer War.

The 48^th Highlanders of Canada in front of Palace 'Het Loo' during their visit to Holland in 2000

The Regiment's sense of tradition extends outside of the Canadian Armed Forces, as the Band has played at every single Toronto Maple Leafs home opener at both Maple Leaf Gardens and the Air Canada Center. It wouldn't be a Leafs game without 'the 48^th' according to many fans. The 48^th bands were requested by Con Smythe, who was a Major in WWI, to play at the opening of the new Maple Leaf Gardens. On the board of Maple Leaf Gardens was Major Ed Bickle, a veteran of WWI in the 15^th Battalion and one of the original investors Maple Leaf Gardens. The bands have played at every opening game of every season since. The tradition has continued at the Air Canada Centre. The bands played at the opening of the Centre and at each opening game of the Maple Leafs.

The Regiment provided a Guard of Honour for the G7 Summit in 1988, a full Royal Honour Guard for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1998 as well as the Royal Winter Fair. 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.

The bonds of friendship extend overseas to it's allied regiment, The Highlanders (formerly the Gordon Highlanders), and Small Unit Exchanges are conducted frequently. The relationship with the Gordon Highlanders represents the oldest officially sanctioned regimental alliance in the Commonwealth and has given rise to many enduring friendships, not to mention several adventures. The bond between the Regiment's grows stronger as time continues.

Here we provide you with some insight into the unique character of the 48^th Highlanders of Canada: proud Canadians, citizens and soldiers