Basketball team 1952, 27th Brigade in Germany.

In 1951, as part of its commitment to NATO which had been formed in 1949, Canada raised the 27th Canadian Infantry Brigade for service in Germany. The brigade, part of an infantry brigade group of 6,670 troops, was to consist of three battalions, one of which would be formed from Highland regiments. In the spring, the General Staff instructed units to recruit. The criteria for selection from the 102 reserve units were present efficiency, war record and geography. The 48th was one of five reserve Highland regiments across the country tasked to raise a company for the 1st Canadian Highland Battalion. Unit Part II Order # 17, dated 18 May 1951 announced the result of the first week of recruiting: “45 men of the 48th signed up for ‘B’ Coy, 1CHB.”

On 1 Dec 1951 the battalion embarked at Quebec City and for the third time in the twentieth century Canadian troops departed for Europe.  With them were six officers and a full company of men plus two pipers and two drummers, all proudly wearing the uniform of the 48th Highlanders. In Germany, most would serve in Bravo Company, others as a defence and employment platoon at Brigade and one officer at each of Battalion and Brigade headquarters.

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