Bamboo swagger stick with silver top and tip. Silver top has 48th Highlanders Badge embossed on it. The badge is the lozenge pattern used from 1939 to the early 90s. Below the silver top a hole has been drilled with a narrow leather (?) wrist strap inserted.

Swagger stick belonging to Padre, the Reverend Stuart Crawford Parker, minister of St Andrew’s Church, Toronto. from 1923 to 1950. As was the tradition with the 48th Highlanders, until late after WWII, the minister of St. Andrew’s was the Padre of the militia regiment. During WWII Reverend Parker was made Chaplain of the 2nd Battalion 48th Highlanders, formally by DND, on 22 April 1941. He was appointed Chaplain of the RCAF on 31 July 1942 and then back to the 48th on 20 October 1943.

His father,  Major George Hastings Parker, served in South Africa and was killed in action on the 19th December, 1914, George Parker was born on the 4th July, 1870. He joined the Hampshire Regiment from the Militia in October, 1892, becoming Lieutenant. in October, 1894, and Captain in July, 1900. He took part in the South African War, having been Station Commandant in April and May, 1901, and afterwards in charge of Station Transport, Barberton, from October, 1901, to May, 1902. He was present at operations in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony in 1901 and 1902. He received the Queen’s medal with four clasps. From November, 1903, to November, 1907, he was Superintendent of Gymnasia, Malta, and was promoted Major in February, 1910. In August, 1914, he was promoted temporary Lieutenant-Colonel for duty with the 10th (Service) Battalion of his Regiment, but subsequently rejoined the 1st Battalion, with which he was serving when he was killed.
For his services in the Great War Major Parker was mentioned in Sir John French’s Dispatch of the 14th January, 1915.

Rev Stuart Crawford Parker Born 1888 in Dennistoun, Glasgow, Scotland