Commanding Officer 48th Highlanders (1946-49)
Commanding Officer 4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards (1944)
Honorary Colonel, 48th Highlanders of Canada (1970-72)
Honorary Lieutenant Colonel, 48th Highlanders of Canada (1972-77)
Lt Col Warren William Gibson (Bill) Darling (son of Lt Col C.W. Darling) joined the Regiment in 1929. A graduate of Royal Military College and former Toronto Argonauts halfback, Lt Bill Darling was one of the first officers to volunteer for service with 1st Bn 48th Highlanders (CASF). Newly promoted Capt WWG Darling, 2iC A Company sailed onboard the Reina del Pacifico to the UK in Dec 1939. During the “Dover Dash” into France in June 1940, he was instrumental in commandeering a French train and riding the engine from Rennes to St Malo (Dileas pp 311-313). In 1941, the 4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards (4 PLDG) was formed in the UK as the 1st Canadian Division reconnaissance regiment. Major WWG Darling was transferred to the command cadre that would form the unit and eventually became Regimental 2iC. In July 44, during the battles for the LIRI VALLEY, it was decided that 4 PLDG would be converted to Infantry in order to man a second infantry brigade within 5th Division. On 17-Jul-44, LCol Bill Darling was promoted to command the new infantry battalion. He fought with the “Plugs” until he was relieved on 8-Dec-44.
Following the Second World War, LCol Darling returned to Toronto and reverted to Major. He served as Commanding Officer from 1946-49. In retirement, he served as President of the Royal Canadian Military Institute, and as the Regiment’s Honorary Lieutenant Colonel (70-72) and as Honorary Colonel (72-77). His son Robert had served with the 48th Highlanders and while serving as Deputy Commanding Officer (DCO) he had to relocate for work. He returned to serve as Honorary Colonel in 2005. Colonel Bill’s granddaughter, Sasha, became the Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in 2020 and his grandson Capt WM (Bill) Darling served as Regimental Sergeant Major.