The 48th Highlanders of Canada, based in Ontario, was formed on 16 October 1891 and was mostly made up of Scottish immigrants.

The Regiment adopted the Falcon head and motto "Dileas Gu Brath" (Faithful For Ever) from the Davidson family crest, and the Davidson tartan, in honour of the first commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel John I. Davidson. The Regiment first saw active service in the Boer War (1899-1902) and subsequently in the two World Wars. Individuals served in 17 Brigades during the occupation of Germany after the Second World War and also in Korea. The Regiment has been awarded 49 Battle Honours (the second highest of any of the active Canadian Regiments), 21 of which are emblazoned on the Regimental Colour.

In 1947, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (then Princess Elizabeth) honoured the Regiment by acceepting the appointment of Colonel-in-Chief. The Regiment is allied with Scotland's Gordon Highlanders.

The present Commanding Officer of the Regiment is Lt. Col. George D. Turner.

Today's Regiment continues to serve as part of Canada's reserve force. The 48th Highlanders are currently augmenting the regular force in Germany, Norway and as part of the Canadian U.N. Contingent in Cyprus.

The Pipes and Drums are the most publicly visible part of today's Regiment. They are in demand to participate in parades, Highland Games, competitions and concerts, both locally and internationally. The Band recently appeared at Wembley Stadium and Horse Guards Parade in London, as well as in Holland to commemorate the liberation of Holland from Nazi Germany. In 1987 they performed in Bermuda.

The Band has performed at the Stone Mountain Games in Atlanta, Georgia. They also appeared in Charleston, South Carolina and Glasgow, Kentucky as well at the Toronto International Tattoo in 1993.

The Pipe Band has also been very successful in competitions over the years and was the top Grade I Pipe Band in North America throughout the 50s and early 60s. The Band continued in Grade I competition until 1981 which saw them finish tied for first at Fergus, Ontario. The Band dropped out of competition until 1987 when Pipe Major DeWar realized the Band had to get back into competition in order to raise the standards of the Band. The Band had to re-enter at the Grade II level as playing standards had risen so much. In 1989, the Band started a Junior Grade IV Band to bring along younger players and in July 1993, the Bands won both the Grade II and IV North American Champioships.

While the Regiment wears the "Davidson" tartan, the Pipes and Drums wear the "Stewart of Fingast" tartan. Their Regimental Quick March is "Highland Laddie." The present (1994) Pipe Major is Chief Warrant officer Alexaander (Sandy) DeWar, CD. Sandy started playing pipes at age seven under the tutelage of his father, the well-known Archie DeWar, former Pipe Major of the 48th Highlanders from 1952 until 1965. Sandy joined the Regimental Pipes and Drums in 1960 and was appointed Pipe Major in 1985. The Drum Major is Sgt. Christopher E. A. Reesor.

For further information, call: (416) 973-2181

48th Highlanders of Canada homepage: http://www.48highlanders.com