Heraldry: Motto: Faithful Forever Translation: (English) from Dileas gu Brath (Scottish) the motto of the 48th Highlanders of Canada Reverse: Arms: a great blue heron (Ardea herodias), proper, on a field of or, on a chief azure three elm leaves or, the words Faithful Forever below.  Surmounted by a falcon’s head couped argent, on a wreath of or and azure, in the beak or a maple leaf and  elm leaf also or.  On a field of vert. The initials R&GE below Reverse: 48th Highlanders, Buckle Badge, proper, on a field of azure.

Service: 48th Highlanders: Honourary Colonel  – 2013 – 2017; Honourary Lieutenant Colonel 2010 – 2013; 48th Highlanders 1968 – 1974 and 1967 as a boy piper with the Pipes and Drums;  The Royal Canadian Regiment – 1974 – 2010 (Lt. to Col.) ;  Commanding Officer – The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders – 2000 – 2003

Note: the three elm leaves and initials denote the service of three generations of the Elms family – Capt. George Elms – 48th Highlanders, 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders) and Home Bn WWII; CCWO William Elms – Regimental Sergeant Major – 48th Highlanders, 1st Battalion (WWII) and post war 48th Highlanders, then Command Chief Warrant Officer of Reserves in Canada; Col. R. G. Elms

In the 48th Highlanders of Canada it is the custom that all Field Officers (Company Commander, usually a Major) or higher have a Pipe Banner that is carried by their Piper on parade. It is tied by ribbons to the base drone of a set of bagpipes.   On the obverse side the Regimental Badge is displayed, normally on a field of Royal Blue  On the reverse the personal arms of the Officer is displayed. When not on parade Pipe Banners are hung in the Officers’ Mess.