Commanding Officer 1906-1911

Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel 1911-1938

Donald Murdoch Robertson, a native of Glengarry Ontario was one of the band of Scots who witnessed the birth of the movement which resulted in the formation of the 48th Highlanders. When officers were selected he was appointed senior captain, provisionally, on February i9th, 1892, with confirmation on February 29th, 1892. He qualified in the Royal School of Infantry, Toronto, with 2nd class and 1st class certificates, and a first for equitation. He was posted to  command A Company.  He continued in that position, until his promotion to be Junior Major on 31 March, 1898. In June, 1900, he assumed the position of Senior Major on the promotion of Major Macdonald to the command of the Regiment. 

In 1906 he became Commanding Officer of the Regiment.  In September of that year he led a detachment of Highlanders to visit and train with the Gordon Highlanders.  HM King Edward VII had authorized a formal alliance between the two regiments and this was the first time the two units were able to train together.  Before returning to Canada the Highlanders were received at Buckingham Palace where LCol Robertson and Col-Sgt Grant were both made Members of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO).  In 1911 he turned over command of the Regiment to LCol Wm Hendrie.  On 24-Apr-1911 Colonel DM Robertson MVO,VD  became the second Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of the 48th Highlanders of Canada, succeeding the late Colonel JI Davidson who had died in April 1910.  He held that role until  May 1938 when he died.  Colonel DM Robertson, MVO, VD was buried with full regimental honours in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.