The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordon & Camerons)

In 1904 the 48th Highlanders became allied to the Gordon Highlanders. This alliance, first in the British Commonwealth, was proposed by General the Earl of Dundonald as a means of fostering new ties between Britain and the Colonies.
The Gordon Highlanders were an old and renown Regiment raised in 1794 by the 4th Duke of Gordon. The regiment first saw action during the French Revolutionary War at Egmont-op-Zee in Holland in 1799. During the Napoleonic Wars the Regiment served in Egypt, Spain, and Belgium and were prominent in the final defeat of Napoleon at Quatre Bras and Waterloo in 1815.

With the expansion of the British Empire the Gordons played their part, at Dargai in 1897 the Regiment won a stunning victory charging and taking the mountain heights under heavy fire.
The first exchange between the 48th and the Gordons occurred in 1906. A detachment of the 48th under LCol Robertson travelled overseas to Aldershot to train with the Gordons. While overseas, the group was received by his Majesty Edward VII at Buckingham Palace.

In 1911 General Sir Ian Hamilton GCB GCMG DSO Colonel of the Gordons became Honourary Colonel of the 48th Highlanders. He first visited Canada to inspect the Regiment in 1913.
During the World Wars, while stationed in Britain, the 48th and Gordons crossed paths on several occasions. In 1939 both Regiments found themselves stationed together in Aldershot during the winter.

Since the war the ties that bond the Regiments have continued to be fostered with exchanges back and forth over the years. In 1991 a contingent of the Gordon Highlanders were present for the 100th Anniversary of the 48th Highlanders. Similarly, the 48th sent a contingent to Scotland for the 200th Anniversary and amalgamation of the Gordons with the Queen’s Own Highlanders to become the Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordon & Camerons). The most recent exchange occurred during the summer of 1996 – 1997 when both regiments sent a Platoon to train with the other.