Читать книгу The 48th Highlanders of Toronto - Fraser Alexander - Страница 3

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writing the history of a regiment formed not more than nine years ago, the advantage lies in the abundance of the material at hand. Brief the period may be, and uneventful the record, but the whole story is still fresh in the memory, and no fact of interest or importance need be overlooked. On the other hand, it is a matter of constant regret with respect to some of the old regiments—particularly some of the old Highland regiments—that so little is definitely known of the details of their organization, and much would be given if the neglect of the time long ago could be repaired. In entering upon the last year of its first decade as a military organization the time seems opportune to place on permanent record in a worthy and befitting form the interesting story of the origin and growth of a regiment occupying so conspicuous a place in the Active Militia of Canada as does the 48th Highlanders of Toronto.

Though one of the latest battalions added to the Canadian Militia, it is one of the most distinguished, efficient and popular of them all. Wearing the Highland uniform, and headed by a band of pipers, it is a gallant corps, of which members of all nationalities, but especially those of Scottish connection, are justly proud. It has attracted to its ranks an excellent body of men, who have at all times taken a pride in maintaining the honour of the regiment worthily, and a morale of the very highest character. This was to have been expected from the history of Highland regiments in the past, when, under all circumstances, duty and discipline have ever been the watchword and motto of the Highland soldier, and the gallant 48th has shown itself to be mindful of the glorious traditions of its predecessors.

While this work is essentially a history of the 48th Highlanders, it is but natural to suppose that the idea such a corps represents is wider and touches interests beyond the regiment itself which are dear to the Scotchman the world over, and are appreciated wherever the true military spirit exists. The martial ardour of the Gael, his aptitude for soldiering, and his services in the field have been the subject of fitting, though necessarily brief, reference in these pages. The association of Highland regiments of the regular army with Canada has been also briefly noticed, and an unbroken connection from Quebec to the present day traced between the Highland soldier and the Dominion.

The official documents from which the information was drawn were placed in the hands of Mr. Alexander Fraser, the well-known journalist and Scottish author, who was Secretary of the Citizens’ Committee which carried the movement for the establishment of the 48th Highlanders to a successful issue. He is thoroughly conversant with all the details of the formation of the regiment from the inception of the movement, and with the record of the corps up to the present. He received all necessary assistance from the officers of the regiment, so that this work may be taken as accurate and complete.

The Publisher.