The Modern Regiment

The Fraser Highlanders raised again

In 1964, with Expo 67 being planned, the Montreal Military & Maritime Museum decided to re-raise this famous Regiment to take part in the colour and festivities of the World's Fair. Colonel J. Ralph Harper undertook the research and Mr. David M. Stewart provided financial and moral support.

The first student squad

By 1967, 12 young men, between 15 and 22 years of age, paraded with the uniform and equipment used 200 years earlier. They have gone from strength to strength, from 12 young men to 24, representing Montreal, Quebec and Canada across North America, and even Europe.

The young men chosen to be Fraser Highlanders work during the summer months and present their 18th century military drills, with muskets or bagapipes and drums, at the Old Fort on St. Helen's Island. Now, too, Garrisons in Calgary, Ottawa and Quebec City have young men who parade regularly.

"Old Boys"

Members of the 78th Fraser Highlanders "Old Boys" Association can be found in cities across Canada in pursuit of their careers as professionals and businessmen, and in the R.C.M.P. and the Regular and Reserve components of the Canadian Armed Forces.

The Outposts

In the mid-1970s, at the suggestion of Lieutenant-Colonel J. Ross Oborne, the Colonel Commandant of the Regiment approved the formation of Outposts in other parts of North America (apart from Montreal).

Commissions for Sale

The Regiment followed the 18th Century practice of allowing Commissions to be purchased by suitable candidates. The first twelve officers were commissioned in 1976. By late 1977, all the Commissions available (equal to the officer establishment of the Regiment in 1758) had been purchased by gentlemen from all parts of America and Europe.

Volunteer-Sergeants, servants and horses

The tide of volunteers refused to be stemmed. The rank of Volunteer-Sergeant was reinstated. This was not an N.C.O. appointment, but a "holding rank" for potential officers awaiting a vacancy in the Commissioned Officers Cadre. These gentlemen were allowed to bring along servants and horses. This practice is kept alive in the 78th today, though there has been little press of servants or horses at Outpost gatherings.

What is the difference between a Garrison and an Outpost?

An Outpost has up to 15 officers and volunteer-sergeants, and is commanded by a Captain.

Once this number has been exceeded, the Outpost can become a Garrison. It requires the following:

• a Major as Officer Commanding
• a charitable tax or trust arranagment
• a youth-oriented project of some kind e.g. musket squad, pipe band, etc.

What do Outposts & Garrisons do?

All garrisons hold regular Mess Dinners, outdoor curling bonspiels, Ladies' Nights and participate in parades and Highland Games.

The officers of the outposts enjoy a strong sense of family and "esprit de corps."

Most Garrison Officers are also to be found attending various civic, military and social occasions anywhere in the country.

Regimental Ladies (Bean Uasal Na Reisimeid)

Ladies were often associated with Regimental activities.

The modern 78th Fraser Highlanders upholds this tradition by appointing wives or associates of its Officers and Volunteer-Sergeants as Regimental Ladies. They are then addressed as "Milady."

Ladies of the Regiment play an invaluable role in fundraising events and other social functions.

Youth Squad Accomplishments

In 2004, the 78th Fraser Highlanders paraded before HRH Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip at Balmoral Castle. It was a private show, part of a tour through Scotland that included stops at Inverness, Beauly, Perth and Edinburgh for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

The Fort Calgary, Fort St. Andrew, Fort St. Helen and Glengarry Garrisons have student units or pipe bands dressed in the uniform of the 78th, and provide instruction in piping and drumming, musketry, history and foot drill.

The young men of the Fort Calgary Garrison have won prizes, in successive years, for their participation in the Calgary Stampede Parade.

Where are the Garrisons & Outposts located?

Canada:

• Fort St. Andrew Garrison (Quebec, Quebec) Near the Plains of Abraham.
• Fort St. Helen Garrison (Montreal, Quebec) Housed in a 19th century fort with a musket squad and pipe band.
• Fort Glengarry Garrison (Ottawa, Ontario) A new student squad in 2006!
• York Garrison (Toronto, Ontario) The largest Garrison in the Regiment.
• Fort Conestoga Garrison (Waterloo, Ontario).
• Fort Garry Outpost (Winnipeg, Manitoba).
• Fort Calgary Garrison (Calgary, Alberta).
• Fort Fraser Garrison (Vancouver, British Columbia) A first-rate pipe band.
• Fort Victoria (Victoria, British Columbia) The newest Garrison in the Regiment.

U.S.A.:

• Fort Vancouver Outpost (Vancouver, Washington)
• New Inverness Garrison (Atlanta, Georgia)