Dewar R.G., age 24, enrolled 6 Mar 1893 in the 48th Regiment (Highlanders) and was assigned to E Company. He was discharged on November 1899. While with the 48th he was promoted to Corporal on 30 January 1896, then Sergeant on 14 May 1897 and finally to Colour Sgt. on 7 October 1898. He was a member of the regiment’s shooting team that entered competitions including the DRA. Dewar had prior service with the Queen’s Own Rifles and was part of a company of soldiers who served in the Northwest Rebellion, fighting a battle on May 2 1885 at Cut Knife Creek about 24 miles from Battleford, Saskatchewan.
In History of the 48th Highlanders by Alexander Fraser there is photo of “Winners of the Gzowski Challenge Cup, DRA Matches, 1896” . The history states: “Gzowski Match, first prize, challenge cup and $50.”
The history also states:” This shooting year was signalized by the institution of a new competition of marching and firing. Eight teams were entered from the district, two of them from the Forty-Eight, whose first team, commanded by Lieut. J. H. Mitchell and Colour Sergt. D.W. Smith, had the honour of securing first place and winning for the first time it was offered for competition the handsome Challenge Cup donated by Major-General Gascoigne. Dewar was a member of that team. A large sized photograph of the team was presented by the Regiment to each of its members in recognition of their victory.”
