Commanding Officer 48th Highlanders of Canada 2002 – 2005
Lieutenant-Colonel Ian Charles Roukens Sargeant was commissioned in the 48th Highlanders as a Second-Lieutenant in 1987. Prior to commissioning, he had served in the Regiment since 1981 when he enrolled and completed the summer infantry recruit course before joining C Company as a private. After promotion to Corporal, he trained as an infantry communicator and military driver before serving as the Transport NCO in HQ Company. He was also on the guard of honour when HRH Queen Elizabeth opened the Ontario Legislature in 1984.
As a Second Lieutenant, he was appointed as Finance Officer. Upon completion of the platoon commander training in 1990 and promotion to Lieutenant, he took command of 1 Platoon, A Company. Also during this time he was selected to lead the Regiment’s platoon to compete in the LFCA Infantry Competition at Connaught Range in Ottawa. For the celebration of the Regiment’s 100th anniversary in 1991, he paraded with No 1 Guard. Following that was an assignment for a couple of years as Quartermaster in Admin Company. Upon promotion to Captain, he was appointed 2iC A Company and later OC Admin Company.
After completing the Dismounted Company Commanders Course, he was promoted to Major in 1997 and appointed OC A Company. While commanding the infantry company, he also graduated from the Militia Staff and Command Course. Then in 1999, he was appointed Deputy Commanding Officer.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sargeant served as Commanding Officer of the 48th Highlanders from 2002-2005. During this time, he commanded the Domestic Response Unit for 32 Canadian Brigade Group for a year which has responsibility for responding to local emergencies. It ws also a time when Canada’s overseas commitments were expanding significantly which resulted in as many as 30 soldiers from the Regiment serving concurrently on deployments to augment the regular forces.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sargeant was raised over several continents, living in Netherlands, Belgium, England and South Africa before settling in Canada. He is a graduate of Upper Canada College and the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Mathematics. His career in the information technology field has spanned the energy, real estate development, hospitality and financial services industries. He retired from Bank of Montreal after a 25 year career directing technology for the wealth management businesses like BMO Nesbitt Burns and InvestorLine. He continues to live in Toronto and is married to Elizabeth “Liz” Sargeant (nee McLean).
