Full Dress and LCol John I. Davidson
The Full Dress uniform of an officer, such as the one worn by Lt. Col. John I. Davidson, was the most formal uniform.
Born in 1852, Davidson was a prominent Toronto architect and the son of a founding member of the St. Andrew’s Society. On 3 July 1891, a committee of influential Scots asked Captain John Irvine Davidson, a Captain in 10th Royal Grenadiers of Toronto, to be the first Commanding Officer. The goal of this committee was to gain government approval for an infantry regiment in Toronto that would reflect their heritage and traditions. His appointment as Commanding Officer was confirmed on 25 March 1892.
Although still being worn on Parade by the Regiment today, this order of dress was a fighting uniform a century ago. Full dress as a field uniform had already begun to disappear on the battlefield at the time it was adopted by the 48th Highlanders in 1892. The Regiment wore this uniform in the field until the early 1900s when the cost of its upkeep and changes in equipment restricted its wearing to ceremonial occasions. In the field, troops wore Marching Order which would have included knapsack, mess tin, blanket, canteen and haversack to carry the spare clothes, food and water to sustain operations in the field.
The Cape, also belonging to LCol Davidson, was worn over his scarlet doublet or mess dress uniform. This cape served as an outer garment, providing warmth and protection from the elements, especially during formal events or parades in colder weather.
Drill Order Uniform
The Drill Order uniform was a more practical uniform worn for everyday training and field operations. The display features a Drill Order uniform from 1896 for a Corporal. While the more formal Full Dress was used for high-profile events, the Drill uniform was the standard issue for training and drills. It was designed for utility rather than spectacle. When troops went into the field, they wore “Marching Order,” which included this Drill uniform along with essential gear such as a knapsack, mess tin, blanket, canteen, and haversack. This distinction highlights the difference between ceremonial displays and the practical requirements of a soldier’s duty.
