The Calgary Highlanders

The Calgary Highlanders are a Land Force Reserve infantry regiment.

The Calgary Highlanders File:Calgaryhighlanders.gif Headquarters: Calgary, AB Predecessor: 103rd Regiment (Calgary Rifles) Perpetuates: 10th, 56th & 137th Battalions, CEF Regimental Birthday: 1 April (1910) Current Role: Light Infantry Higher Formation: 41 CBG

Location: Since inception, the Regiment has headquartered at Mewata Armouries, located at the western end of 8th Ave SW in Calgary, Alberta.

Mailing Address: The Calgary Highlanders, 801 - 11th Street S.W., Calgary, AB, T2P 2C4.

Telephone Number: The switchboard for all Reserve miltary units in Calgary can be contacted at 410-2320.

Abbreviation/Regimental Short Title: The official abbreviation as used in military correspondence, and worn on the shoulder title, is CALG HIGHRS.

Mission Elements: The Calgary Highlanders currently fields one Mission Element. "A" Company is a dismounted rifle company that undergoes challenging training on a yearly cycle. Each year the Company changes its focus to provide as wide a range of experience to its soldiers as possible. Past training years have seen training in dismounted light infantry tactics, mechanized infantry training, tactical helicopter operations, amphibious operations, and mountain warfare training, with emphasis changing between offensive and defensive operations. Other training has included civil security, patrolling, as well as the annual qualification in such things as marksmanship, heavy weapons handling, first aid, defence against chemical and nuclear weapons, and landmine awareness.

Regimental Structure: The regiment is organized on the lines of an Infantry Battalion, with Headquarters Company overseeing and supporting the training of both "A" Company and Headquarters Company. The Regiment also has a wide array of volunteer support, from the Voluntary Pipes and Drums to the Ladies Auxiliary.

Higher Formation : The Calgary Highlanders are just one unit of 41 Canadian Brigade Group, headquartered in Alberta and including all Reserve Army units throughout the province. The Brigade is part of Land Force Western Area.

Uniforms and Traditions

Facing colour: Yellow

Tartan: Government Tartan Number Two

Regimental March (Quick Time): Highland Laddie

Regimental March (Slow Time): None officially authorized, but The Sloedam is used for this purpose.

Motto: "Airaghardt" (Gaelic for "Onward", the motto of the City of Calgary).

Events

Annual Commemorations: The Regiment commemorates St Julien's Day on the weekend closest to 22 April, commemorating the counter-attack by the 10th and 16th Battalions, CEF, on Kitcheners' Wood on "The Glorious 22nd of April, 1915". The occasion is marked by the annual reunion dinner of the Tenth Battalion/Calgary Highlanders Association. The Regiment also exercises its right to the Freedom of the City of Calgary on this weekend by marching to church parade and a wreath laying at City Hall.

The Regiment also commemorates the Battle of Walcheren Causeway, one of many hard earned Battle Honours awarded to the Regiment during the Second World War. The commemoration of this battle, on the weekend closest to 31 October, includes a Drumhead Ceremony jointly held with the Dutch community of Calgary.

The Regiment also participates in Rememberance Day services in communities throughout southern Alberta, from where the majority of their recruits were drawn during the Second World War.

Annual Events: Annual public events supported by the Regiment include the Calgary Stampede in July and the Grand Highland Ball each spring, jointly hosted by the Regiment and the Old 78th Fraser Highlanders. The Regimental Pipes and Drums have an extensive calendar of public appearances and may be contacted via the weblink on the main menu of this site.