The uniform jacket of Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major Graham Robertson. Robertson joined the 48th Highlanders Cadets in 2002 and rose to the highest cadet rank of RSM. Upon graduation, Robertson joined the 48th Highlanders of Canada Reserve battalion.
Tunic: Dark green tunic open at neck; closed by four buttons; with two breast pockets and two waist level pockets all with top flaps closed by green buttons; green cloth belt in loops at waist; insignia on right sleeve – from top to bottom 48th Highlanders of Canada, Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corp, Chief Warrant Officer Rank, National Star of Excellence Badge Level 5; badges on left sleeve – from top to bottom 48th Highlanders of Canada, Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corp, Cadet Leader Instructor Adventure Badge, Standard First Aid Badge, Gold Level Fitness, Distinguished Marksman Badge; National Star of Excellence badge in centre of left breast pocket. Light beige shirt and khaki tie. Paratrooper Wings – Above left breast pocket. Medals from left to right – a) Lord Strathcona Medal; b) Legion Medal of Excellence; c) RCACC Service Medal. National Star of Excellence round badge on left breast pocket below medals. (Note: medals accessioned separately.); Robertson black name tag with white lettering above right chest pocket; Light green shirt and black tie.
48th Highlanders of Canada Cadet Corps.
Early in 1940, the Rotary Club of Toronto wanted to contribute to the war effort in a way that would benefit the community directly. Their answer, a cadet corps directed at the youth of Toronto. Club members who, as 48th Highlanders, had served in the Great War and were either on the officer reserve list or inactive, volunteered. Twenty-five qualified as instructors and commissioned officers, and that year the Rotary Youth Training Corps (Cadet Corps 1625), affiliated with the 48th Highlanders, was authorized.
Captain Charles E. Read, MC, was appointed Officer Commanding. “Beaver” Read was a well-known and respected figure within the 48th, who won his MC at Passchendaele and, at Waller Wood, was the last 15th Battalion officer wounded. Recruiting of youths aged 16 to 19 started immediately at the St. Lawrence Market Armoury creating two companies, the York Company and the Malvern Company, who paraded on two weeknights at York Memorial and Malvern Collegiates respectively. New recruits received berets and sweatshirts bearing the Regimental crest with RYTC printed below. Battle dress uniforms followed. The 48th provided rifles and the use of their rifle range, plus lecture rooms for map reading and signaling. Numbers grew to over 550 and a cadet pipe band, 20 strong, was formed, with equipment paid for by Rotary Club members and a donation from Mr. Nielsen of Nielsen Chocolates to ensure that the band would parade in the Davidson tartan kilt. In 1943, they became the Toronto Rotary Highlanders, still affiliated with the 48th. In the 1970’s Major John Brown of the 48th Highlanders arranged to have the assigned number changed to No. 48.
Today, the 48th Highlanders Cadet Corps continues. The cadets who graduate are confident and mature, taking the lessons and friendships gained into their private lives and schooling. And, many have decided to join the regiment. In one typical year, ten cadets completed the open water scuba certificate, a program made possible through a volunteer instructor from the Toronto Police Department, the cadet RSM won jump wings at a parachute training course and others were in the Duke of Edinburgh’s award program. Cadets may become National Star Candidates, the highest level of cadet achievement and the gateway to special courses such as the jump course or glider pilot.
In 1998 the cadet beret was replaced with the Glengarry, making the alliance with the 48th more visible, and a source of pride to both cadets and the regiment. Instructors from the regiment find extra time to teach weaponry. Visits to the Regimental Museum are followed by lectures on the regiment’s history.
