In the display case are medals awarded to 48th Highlanders. Most have been donated to the museum by family members or through the will of a Highlander. Several have been donated by the Highlander during their life with the statement that they wished their medals to “come home”, as they felt the regiment was a part of their family.
The first organized system of military medals was established by the Romans, given to victorious commanders or centurions to signify acts of bravery. In the Commonwealth, the custom of issuing medals dates to Elizabeth I, who authorized commemorative medals to senior officers for the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. The practice of awarding campaign medals to all ranks began under Oliver Cromwell, when every soldier at the Battle of Dunbar received a medal. This idea took hold more widely in 1815, when medals were awarded to all who fought at Waterloo.
The first medal struck for Canadian military service was the Canada General Service Medal, recognizing British and Canadian soldiers who served during the Fenian Raids and the Red River expedition between 1866 and 1870. In subsequent conflicts, Canadians were awarded campaign medals and decorations for gallantry during the South African War, the First World War, the Second World War, and the Korean War.
Service medals mark service in a war period or long years of service in the military. Examples are the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and the Canadian Forces Decoration.
Campaign medals mark service in a specific theatre during defined time periods. Examples in the Second World War are the Italy Star and France Germany Star. Later years include the Canadian Korean War Medal. In the past 50 years, Canadians have also received medals for operations under UN and NATO actions.
Decorations recognize conspicuous bravery or exceptional service. Canada’s most senior decoration is the Victoria Cross, instituted in 1856 “for most conspicuous bravery or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.” Ninety-four Canadians have earned this honour. Other widely awarded Commonwealth decorations include the Military Cross, the Distinguished Service Cross, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Since 1967, Canada has established a distinctive honours system that includes the Medal of Bravery and the Star of Military Valour, as well as decorations recognizing meritorious military service such as the Meritorious Service Cross.
