Calgary Highlanders
The Calgary Highlanders (10th Canadians) is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army, based at Mewata Armoury in Calgary, Alberta, and serving as part of 41 Canadian Brigade Group within the 3rd Canadian Division.[1][2] As dismounted light infantry, the regiment focuses on training part-time citizen-soldiers in skills such as mortar support, with weekly evening drills and monthly weekend exercises.[3] It perpetuates the traditions of the 10th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, from the First World War, and maintains affiliations with The Royal Regiment of Scotland.[1][2] The regiment traces its origins to 1 April 1910, when the 103rd Regiment "Calgary Rifles" was authorized to be formed in Calgary as a militia unit.[1] It underwent several reorganizations, including a split in 1924 that created The Calgary Highlanders as a distinct Highland-style infantry battalion, adopting the Government Tartan Number 1A.[1][2] During the First World War, elements perpetuated by the regiment, notably the 10th Battalion, CEF, served in France and Flanders from 1915 to 1918, earning battle honours such as Ypres, the Somme, Vimy Ridge, and Passchendaele.[1] In the Second World War, The Calgary Highlanders mobilized on 1 September 1939 and participated in the Dieppe Raid in 1942 before landing in Normandy in 1944 as part of the 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade.[1] The unit fought through North-West Europe, including key engagements at the Falaise Gap, the Scheldt, and the Rhineland, accumulating additional battle honours like Caen, the Leopold Canal, and the Hochwald.[1] Post-war, it was redesignated as a reserve battalion in 1945 and has since contributed to United Nations peacekeeping operations, NATO missions, and domestic responses, with over 125 members deploying to Afghanistan between 2002 and 2014.[1][3] On 21 March 2024, it was officially redesignated The Calgary Highlanders (10th Canadians) to honour its First World War lineage.[1] Today, the regiment remains an active community-based force, organized into rifle companies, a mortar platoon, and support elements including Pipes and Drums, emphasizing leadership, discipline, and service.[2]Identity and Symbols
Badge and Insignia
The cap badge of The Calgary Highlanders (10th Canadians) features a beaver couchant on a log environed by a wreath of maple leaves, the Royal Crown proper above flanked by two white scrolls each bearing a thistle proper, and a blue scroll at base inscribed with "CALGARY HIGHLANDERS" in gold letters, the whole above a saltire and thistle proper.[4][1] On 21 March 2024, the regiment was redesignated The Calgary Highlanders (10th Canadians) to perpetuate its First World War lineage.[1] This design was officially adopted in the 1930s following the regiment's redesignation as a highland unit in 1921, incorporating Scottish heraldic elements to reflect its affiliated traditions while perpetuating the lineage of the 10th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF).[1][4] The insignia evolved significantly from the regiment's origins as the 103rd Regiment "Calgary Rifles" in 1910, when members wore standard rifle regiment shoulder titles featuring a bugle horn and the unit numeral, often inscribed with "CALGARY RIFLES" in brass or cloth form.[1] Upon mobilization for the First World War, personnel contributed to the 10th Battalion CEF, whose cap badge depicted a beaver on a log within a wreath of maple leaves surmounted by a crown and bearing a "10th CANADIANS" scroll, symbolizing Canadian identity post-Confederation through the beaver as a national emblem and maple leaves as emblems of unity.[5] After the war, as The Calgary Highlanders, the unit transitioned to highland-style insignia in the interwar period, with the cap badge formalized in the 1930s to include the saltire and thistles; simultaneously, a simple "C.H." brass shoulder title was introduced around 1921, later replaced in 1934 by a distinctive bronze oak leaf and acorn badge inscribed "CALGARY HIGHLANDERS," commemorating the 10th Battalion's assault at Kitchener's Wood in 1915.[6][7] Post-1945 modifications to the insignia were primarily material and wear-related, adapting to changing uniforms without altering core designs; for instance, during the Cold War era, cloth versions of the oak leaf shoulder title were used on battledress, while the 1968 unification of the Canadian Armed Forces prompted some regiments to revert to pre-unification cap badges, allowing The Calgary Highlanders to retain its traditional highland-pattern badge in bronze for qualified personnel and yellow metal for trainees.[6] By the late 1980s, with the introduction of Distinctive Environmental Uniforms, metal oak leaf emblems returned to epaulettes for parade dress.[6] The badge's elements carry layered symbolism tied to the regiment's dual Canadian-Scottish heritage: the saltire and thistles evoke Scotland's patron saint (St. Andrew) and national flower, aligning with highland regiment conventions, while the central beaver—retained from the 10th Battalion—represents industriousness and Canada's fur trade legacy, adapted from an earlier motif framed by maple leaves, which is retained in the modern wreath to underscore post-Confederation service.[4] The Royal Crown signifies service to the Sovereign.[1]Motto and Traditions
The motto of The Calgary Highlanders (10th Canadians) is "Airaghardt," translating from Scottish Gaelic as "Onward," reflecting the regiment's heritage of perseverance and shared with the City of Calgary.[2] Key traditions of the regiment include the Freedom of the City of Calgary, formally granted on 23 April 1964, which allows the unit to march through the streets with bayonets fixed, colours flying, and drums beating.[8] This honour is exercised annually during St. Julien's Day weekend, commemorating the 10th Battalion's actions at the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915, with a ceremonial parade from Mewata Armoury to City Hall followed by wreath-laying.[9] Annual mess dinners form another cornerstone, held as part of these commemorations to foster regimental camaraderie, often including toasts to fallen comrades and officers' functions.[9] The regiment also maintains ties to Scottish culture through participation in highland games, where its pipes and drums compete in events like the March, Strathspey, and Reel, as well as medleys, showcasing piping and drumming skills at gatherings such as the Canmore Highland Games.[10] These elements collectively shape the regiment's intangible heritage, emphasizing discipline, heritage, and service. The traditions are supported by the Calgary Highlanders Regimental Association, which organizes related events.[2]Formation and Early History
Origins and Lineage (1910–1939)
The Calgary Highlanders trace their origins to the 103rd Regiment "Calgary Rifles," authorized on 1 April 1910 in Calgary, Alberta, as an infantry unit of the Canadian Non-Permanent Active Militia (NPAM). Raised under the command of Lieutenant Colonel William C. G. Armstrong within Military District No. 13, the regiment consisted of eight companies and reflected Alberta's recent entry into Confederation in 1905. Its establishment addressed the growing need for local defense forces in the rapidly expanding western city, drawing recruits from Calgary's civilian population.[1][11] In its early years, the 103rd Regiment emphasized routine training, including 30 paid drills per year and annual summer camps focused on tactical exercises and marksmanship. The unit played a prominent community role in Calgary through public parades, shooting competitions, and social events, fostering civic pride and military preparedness among residents. It adopted distinctive rifle regiment traditions, such as blackened badges for field concealment, which underscored its initial focus on light infantry tactics. By 1914, as tensions escalated toward the First World War, the regiment was not mobilized as a complete unit but served as a key recruiting ground, contributing 846 personnel to the 10th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), and supporting the formation of the 31st and 50th Battalions.[11] Following the war, the regiment underwent significant administrative reorganization. On 15 March 1920, the 103rd Regiment "Calgary Rifles" was redesignated and split into two separate units: The Alberta Regiment and The Calgary Regiment, in line with broader Canadian militia reforms under General Order 32/1920. This restructuring perpetuated several CEF battalions, including the 10th, 50th, 56th, and 82nd, integrating their battle honours and traditions into the new formations; the 56th Battalion, CEF, was specifically linked to the 2nd Battalion in the regimental structure. On 15 May 1924, The Calgary Regiment was further reorganized, with its 1st Battalion redesignated as The Calgary Highlanders, marking the adoption of Highland dress and an alliance with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. This change shifted the unit from rifleman roots to a Highland infantry identity, while the 2nd Battalion evolved separately into The King's Own Calgary Regiment.[1][12] Throughout the 1930s, The Calgary Highlanders operated as a part-time NPAM unit, conducting periodic training exercises and maintaining a reserve structure until the 2nd and 3rd Battalions—perpetuating the 56th and 82nd CEF units, respectively—were disbanded on 14 December 1936 amid budget constraints. The regiment continued to strengthen its ties to Calgary's community, providing guards of honour for civic events, including the Royal Visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in May 1939, where it supplied a ceremonial detachment in Calgary and a pipe band escort in Edmonton. These activities reinforced the unit's role as a local institution, preparing it for the impending mobilization in 1939.[1][12]Pre-War Development
Following its reorganization as a distinct Highland regiment on 15 May 1924, the Calgary Highlanders experienced significant expansion in the 1920s, drawing heavily on the legacy of the 10th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, with approximately 80 percent of its initial membership comprising Great War veterans. This growth was bolstered by the formal alliance with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Scotland, approved in 1924, which allowed the unit to embrace traditional Highland elements and foster a stronger regimental identity rooted in Scottish military heritage.[12] A key aspect of this affiliation was the adoption of distinctive Highland uniforms in 1925, including the Government tartan kilt pleated in the Argyll and Sutherland style, red and white diced glengarry headwear, and horsehair sporrans, which not only enhanced morale but also distinguished the regiment from other Canadian militia units during parades and ceremonies. Training during this period emphasized practical soldiering, with annual camps held at Sarcee Camp near Calgary, where members honed infantry skills under canvas conditions, preparing for potential mobilization while integrating the new Highland drill and piping traditions. Community engagements further solidified the regiment's local ties, demonstrating its role as a civic asset beyond military duties.[12] The onset of the Great Depression in 1929 imposed severe challenges, marked by drastic reductions in federal funding for the Non-Permanent Active Militia, which limited equipment, pay, and training opportunities across Canadian units, including the Calgary Highlanders. With daily allowances for privates dropping to as low as $1.25 and extended camps curtailed, recruitment drives intensified in the mid- to late 1930s to maintain strength, relying on volunteer appeals and community outreach amid widespread unemployment in Alberta. Despite these constraints, the regiment sustained operations through dedicated leadership and veteran involvement, culminating in high-profile duties like forming a guard of honour for the 1939 royal visit to Calgary on 8 May, which underscored its resilience up to the eve of the Second World War.[12][13]Operational History
First World War
The 10th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), earned 19 specific battle honours for its service with the 1st Canadian Division on the Western Front from 1915 to 1918, in addition to the overarching honour "France and Flanders, 1915–18." These honours, awarded by General Orders 123 and 110 of 1929, recognize the unit's contributions to major Canadian operations and are perpetuated today by The Calgary Highlanders through emblazonment on the regimental colours and incorporation into unit traditions.[1][14] The honours, tied to key actions of the 10th Battalion (nicknamed the "Fighting Tenth"), are as follows:- Ypres, 1915, '17: Named for the strategically vital Belgian town of Ypres (modern Ieper) in the Flanders region, this honour commemorates the battalion's defensive stands and assaults in the Ypres Salient during the Second Battle of Ypres in April–May 1915 and Third Battle in July–November 1917. The 10th Battalion counterattacked German positions at Kitchener's Wood on 22–23 April 1915, halting an advance amid the first major use of poison gas and suffering 623 casualties, including the death of its commanding officer.[15][1]
- Gravenstafel: Derived from Gravenstafel Ridge, a low elevation east of Ypres, this honour marks the 10th Battalion's role in defending against a German assault on 22–23 April 1915 as part of the Second Battle of Ypres response to chlorine gas attacks on Allied lines. The unit supported counterattacks in the sector, contributing to the stabilization of the front despite heavy losses.[16][1]
- St. Julien: Named after the village of Saint-Julien near Ypres, this honour recognizes the 10th Battalion's efforts in holding the line during the gas attacks and counteroffensives of 24–26 April 1915 in the Second Battle of Ypres. As part of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, the battalion reinforced exposed positions, enduring intense artillery and infantry assaults.[15][1]
- Festubert, 1915: Referring to the French village of Festubert in the Artois region, this honour is for the 10th Battalion's attack on enemy trenches known as K5 on 23–25 May 1915, part of a British offensive to support French operations at Artois. The assault resulted in heavy casualties but advanced the line slightly.[15][1]
- Mount Sorrel: Named for Mount Sorrel, a hill southeast of Ypres, this honour covers the 10th Battalion's counterattack on 13 June 1916 to recapture lost ground during a German offensive. The unit recaptured key positions but incurred 274 casualties in the fierce fighting.[15][1]
- Somme, 1916: After the Somme River in northern France, this broad honour encompasses the 10th Battalion's engagements in the Battle of the Somme from July to November 1916, including assaults on Thiepval Ridge and the Regina Trench. The unit advanced amid brutal attritional warfare, suffering significant losses in the push toward German lines.[15][1]
- Thiepval: Named for the village and ridge at Thiepval on the Somme battlefield, this honour highlights the 10th Battalion's capture of sections of the heavily fortified Thiepval Ridge on 15–26 September 1916, involving intense close-quarters combat and 241 casualties for the unit.[15][1]
- Ancre Heights: Referring to the heights along the Ancre River valley near Beaumont-Hamel, this honour is for the 10th Battalion's role in capturing objectives during the later Somme phase on 18 November 1916, under muddy and shell-torn conditions that tested the unit's endurance.[15][1]
- Arras, 1917, '18: Named for the French city of Arras in the Pas-de-Calais, this honour covers the 10th Battalion's operations in the Vimy sector in April 1917 and the Hundred Days Offensive around the Scarpe River in August 1918. In 1918, as part of the 1st Canadian Division, the unit advanced during the Battle of the Scarpe (26–30 August), capturing German positions east of Arras.[1][17]
- Vimy, 1917: After Vimy Ridge near Arras, this honour commemorates the 10th Battalion's successful assault on 9 April 1917 during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, where the unit seized assigned objectives in the initial wave despite barbed wire and machine-gun fire, incurring 374 casualties. The action was pivotal in the capture of the ridge by Canadian forces.[15][1]
- Arleux: Named for the village of Arleux-en-Gohelle east of Vimy, this honour recognizes the 10th Battalion's storming of German lines on 28 April 1917 as part of a follow-up operation to Vimy. The unit captured the village in 1.5 hours alongside other battalions of the 2nd Canadian Division, holding it against counterattacks.[18][19]
- Hill 70: Referring to Hill 70 near Lens, this honour is for the 10th Battalion's capture and defence of the position on 15 August 1917, repulsing multiple German counterattacks; Private Harry Brown of the unit earned the Victoria Cross for rescuing wounded comrades under fire.[15][1]
- Passchendaele: Named for the village of Passchendaele (modern Passendale) in Belgium, this honour marks the 10th Battalion's advance on Hill 52 during the Third Battle of Ypres on 26 October 1917. The unit captured objectives in mud-choked terrain with relatively light casualties compared to other assaults.[15][1]
- Amiens: After the Somme city of Amiens, this honour covers the 10th Battalion's rapid advance on 8 August 1918 during the Battle of Amiens, the opening of Canada's Hundred Days Offensive, where the unit exploited breakthroughs with tanks and aircraft support to overrun German defences.[15][1]
- Scarpe, 1918: Named for the Scarpe River east of Arras, this honour is for the 10th Battalion's participation in the 1st Canadian Division's assaults from 26–30 August 1918, advancing against fortified lines and contributing to the Allied push that forced German withdrawals.[1][17]
- Drocourt-Quéant: Referring to the Drocourt-Quéant Line, a section of the Hindenburg Line fortifications between the villages of Drocourt and Quéant, this honour recognizes the 10th Battalion's assault on 2 September 1918 as part of the Canadian Corps' breakthrough, overcoming barbed wire and trenches in a key advance toward Cambrai.[20][1]
- Hindenburg Line: Named for the extensive German defensive system (Siegfriedstellung) built in 1916–1917 across northern France and Belgium, this honour encompasses the 10th Battalion's crossings and attacks in September 1918, including support for the Canal du Nord assault, which pierced the line and accelerated the German retreat.[15][1]
- Canal du Nord: After the Canal du Nord in northern France, this honour is for the 10th Battalion's crossing and advance on 27 September 1918, navigating dry canal bed obstacles under fire to secure bridges and push forward in the Battle of Cambrai. The action incurred heavy losses but enabled further gains.[15][1]
- Pursuit to Mons: Commemorating the final Allied advance to Mons, Belgium—the site of the war's first major battle in August 1914—this honour covers the 10th Battalion's role in the relentless pursuit from 28 September to 11 November 1918, harrying retreating Germans across open country and entering Mons on Armistice morning.[15][21]
Second World War
The Calgary Highlanders, serving as part of the 5th Infantry Brigade within the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, earned over 20 battle honours during the Second World War for their actions in the North-West Europe campaign from 1944 to 1945. These honours recognize key engagements from the Normandy landings through the advance into Germany, with capitalized names indicating those selected for emblazonment on the regimental colour. The regiment landed in Normandy on 7 July 1944 and participated in operations that contributed to the liberation of multiple French and Dutch towns, culminating in the defeat of German forces in May 1945.[1][22] The battle honours include:- Bourguébus Ridge (18–23 July 1944): For assaults on fortified German positions south of Caen, where the regiment helped secure vital ground during Operation Goodwood.[14]
- Faubourg de Vaucelles (18–19 July 1944): Actions in capturing this suburb of Caen amid intense urban fighting.[14]
- Verrières Ridge–Tilly-la-Campagne (25 July 1944): Part of Operation Spring, involving heavy casualties in assaults on defended ridges east of Caen.[14]
- Falaise (7–22 August 1944): Encirclement operations that trapped German forces in the Falaise Pocket, with the regiment advancing to close the gap.[14]
- Falaise Road (7–9 August 1944): Pursuit along key routes during the pocket's formation.[14]
- Clair Tizon (11–13 August 1944): Clearing operations northwest of Falaise to support the encirclement.[14]
- Forêt de la Londe (27–29 August 1944): Combat in wooded areas during the advance toward the Seine River.[14]
- Dunkirk, 1944 (8–15 September 1944): Diversionary attacks to draw German reserves away from main Allied advances in northern France.[1]
- Wyneghem (21–22 September 1944): Crossing the Antwerp-Turnhout Canal in Belgium.[14]
- Antwerp–Turnhout Canal (24–29 September 1944): Securing bridgeheads to open the vital port of Antwerp.[14]
- The Scheldt (1 October–8 November 1944): Overall campaign to clear the Scheldt Estuary, enabling Antwerp's use; sub-honours include Woensdrecht (1–27 October 1944) for polder fighting, South Beveland (24–31 October 1944) for amphibious assaults, and Walcheren Causeway (31 October–4 November 1944) for a daring attack that breached island defences despite heavy losses.[1][14]
- The Rhineland (8 February–10 March 1945): Winter offensive into Germany; sub-honours include The Reichswald (8–13 February 1945) for forest clearing, The Hochwald (26 February–4 March 1945) for gap assaults, and Xanten (8–9 March 1945) for town captures.[1][14]
- The Rhine (23 March–1 April 1945): River crossing operations during the final push.[14]
- Groningen (13–16 April 1945): Urban combat to liberate the Dutch city from entrenched defenders.[14]
- Oldenburg (May 1945): Final advances in northern Germany.[1]
- North-West Europe, 1944–1945 (6 June 1944–5 May 1945): Encompassing the entire campaign from Normandy to VE Day.[14]
Post-War Engagements
Following the conclusion of the Second World War, the Calgary Highlanders underwent reorganization within the Canadian Army structure. On 15 December 1945, the 2nd Battalion was redesignated as The Calgary Highlanders, integrating it into the reserve force as a Primary Reserve infantry regiment based at Mewata Armouries in Calgary.[1] This transition marked the regiment's shift from active wartime service to peacetime reserve duties, focusing on local training and readiness while perpetuating its lineage from the 10th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.[25] The 1960s and 1980s brought significant restructurings to the regiment amid broader Canadian Armed Forces reforms, particularly the unification process that integrated the army, navy, and air force into a single service on 1 February 1968.[26] Despite these changes, which introduced standardized green uniforms and consolidated command structures, the Calgary Highlanders preserved its distinct highland identity through retained traditions like the Government tartan kilt, glengarry headdress, and pipes and drums band.[25] In the 1970s, as membership fluctuated due to unification-related disruptions and public shifts post-Vietnam, the regiment actively advocated to maintain ceremonial elements, ensuring continuity of its Scottish heritage within the modern reserve framework.[27] Detailed records of the regiment's activities from 1945 onward remain incomplete, with ongoing efforts by the Regimental Association to document contributions to international and domestic operations.[25]Modern Era and Conflicts
Cold War and Peacekeeping
During the Cold War era, the Calgary Highlanders, as part of Canada's Primary Reserve infantry, participated as part of broader NATO reinforcement efforts.[28] The regiment contributed personnel to several United Nations peacekeeping operations from the 1960s through the 1990s, reflecting Canada's commitment to international stability amid Cold War tensions. In the United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), established in 1964 to monitor the ceasefire between Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, Calgary Highlanders soldiers served in rotations, patrolling buffer zones and supporting de-escalation efforts during intermittent violence.[24] Similarly, members deployed to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights from 1974 onward, observing the Israel-Syria ceasefire and facilitating humanitarian aid amid regional conflicts.[24] In the 1980s, the regiment provided observers to the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula, verifying compliance with the 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty by monitoring troop withdrawals and border security.[24] Domestically, Calgary Highlanders personnel supported Operation Salon during the 1990 Oka Crisis, a 78-day standoff between Mohawk protesters and authorities over land rights in Quebec, where they assisted in securing perimeters and logistical support without direct combat involvement.[29] In June 1990, the regiment received new colours from Queen Elizabeth II in a ceremonial parade at McMahon Stadium, underscoring its enduring role in Canada's defense traditions.[28]Afghanistan Deployment
The Calgary Highlanders contributed significantly to Canada's military efforts in Afghanistan from 2002 to 2014, deploying a total of 126 personnel as individual augmentees to support regular force units during Operations ATHENA and ATTENTION.[30] These deployments included rotations to Kabul for non-combat stabilization tasks and to Kandahar Province for more intense combat and advisory operations, aligning with the broader Canadian commitment to NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).[1] The regiment's involvement emphasized capacity-building for Afghan security forces while reinforcing Canadian battle groups in southern Afghanistan.[30] In Kabul, from May 2011 to March 2014 under Operation ATTENTION, Highlanders personnel assisted in operating the international airport, patrolled the city's western sector, and supported the reconstruction of the Afghan National Army (ANA) through training and logistical aid.[30] This phase shifted focus toward post-combat mentoring to enable Afghan forces to assume greater security responsibilities. In contrast, earlier rotations to Kandahar from August 2005 to July 2011 involved direct combat roles within infantry battle groups, including joint patrols with ANA units to counter insurgent activity in volatile districts like Zhari and Panjwayi.[30] Highlanders soldiers often served as embedded mentors in Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams (OMLTs), advising ANA company commanders on tactics, leadership, and operations to build sustainable Afghan military capabilities.[31] A notable example of the regiment's combat mentoring occurred in 2008 near Pashmul in the Panjwayi district, where Captain Simon Cox, serving as a company commander mentor with an OMLT, directed artillery support during intense fighting alongside ANA forces against Taliban positions.[30] Cox's actions exemplified the dual role of advisory support and direct engagement in high-risk patrols, earning him a Mention in Dispatches for leadership under fire.[30] Such incidents highlighted the dangers faced by reserve augmentees in mentoring operations, where Canadian advisors accompanied Afghan troops on patrols to enhance their operational effectiveness against insurgents.[32] Following the conclusion of Canada's combat mission in 2011 and the full withdrawal in 2014, the Calgary Highlanders returned to their primary reserve status, focusing on domestic training and readiness while having provided more reserve personnel to the Afghan theater than any other Canadian Army reserve regiment.[1] The regiment received the Canadian Forces Unit Commendation in 2015 for its sustained contributions to the mission.[1]Recent Activities (2010–Present)
Following the conclusion of combat operations in Afghanistan, the Calgary Highlanders shifted emphasis to reserve infantry training, emphasizing dismounted light infantry tactics, weapons proficiency, and specialized roles such as a new mortar platoon established in the 2020s.[2] Soldiers conduct weekly evening sessions and monthly weekend exercises at Mewata Armoury, with field training at sites like Nose Hill Park for navigation and leadership drills in 2018 and 2023.[33][34] In September 2025, the regiment participated in personal weapons testing at CFB Wainwright, qualifying on the C7 rifle alongside supporting units to maintain operational readiness.[35] The regiment contributed to domestic emergency responses, notably during Operation LENTUS for the 2013 Alberta floods, where members of Task Force Silvertip, under then-Deputy Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel Kyle Clapperton, assisted with sandbagging, evacuations, and recovery in affected areas like Inglewood.[36][37] During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Highlanders adapted training to virtual formats like Exercise VIRTUAL HIGHLANDER and socially distanced ranges for C7 qualifications, while supporting Operation VECTOR by aiding vaccine distribution efforts.[38] Traditional events were scaled back, with the 2020 Remembrance Day parade replaced by smaller, distributed observances to comply with restrictions.[39] On 21 March 2024, the regiment was officially redesignated The Calgary Highlanders (10th Canadians) to honour its First World War lineage.[1] Ceremonial duties remained a core activity, including annual Remembrance Day parades led by the regiment at Central Memorial Park Cenotaph, such as the 2025 event from 10 a.m. to noon featuring a military procession and wreath-laying.[40] The Pipes and Drums also performed at the Field of Crosses display in November 2020 amid pandemic limitations.[38] The 74th Grand Highland Military Ball, held on May 4, 2024, at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel, honored regimental traditions with a grand march, performances, and fundraising for soldier support, continuing a series disrupted only briefly by COVID.[41][42]Battle Honours
First World War
The 10th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), earned 19 specific battle honours for its service with the 1st Canadian Division on the Western Front from 1915 to 1918, in addition to the overarching honour "France and Flanders, 1915–18." These honours, awarded by General Orders 123 and 110 of 1929, recognize the unit's contributions to major Canadian operations and are perpetuated today by The Calgary Highlanders through emblazonment on the regimental colours and incorporation into unit traditions.[1][14] The honours, tied to key actions of the 10th Battalion (nicknamed the "Fighting Tenth"), are as follows:- Ypres, 1915, '17: Named for the strategically vital Belgian town of Ypres (modern Ieper) in the Flanders region, this honour commemorates the battalion's defensive stands and assaults in the Ypres Salient during the Second Battle of Ypres in April–May 1915 and Third Battle in July–November 1917. The 10th Battalion counterattacked German positions at Kitchener's Wood on 22–23 April 1915, halting an advance amid the first major use of poison gas and suffering 623 casualties, including the death of its commanding officer.[15][1]
- Gravenstafel: Derived from Gravenstafel Ridge, a low elevation east of Ypres, this honour marks the 10th Battalion's role in defending against a German assault on 22–23 April 1915 as part of the Second Battle of Ypres response to chlorine gas attacks on Allied lines. The unit supported counterattacks in the sector, contributing to the stabilization of the front despite heavy losses.[16][1]
- St. Julien: Named after the village of Saint-Julien near Ypres, this honour recognizes the 10th Battalion's efforts in holding the line during the gas attacks and counteroffensives of 24–26 April 1915 in the Second Battle of Ypres. As part of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, the battalion reinforced exposed positions, enduring intense artillery and infantry assaults.[15][1]
- Festubert, 1915: Referring to the French village of Festubert in the Artois region, this honour is for the 10th Battalion's attack on enemy trenches known as K5 on 23–25 May 1915, part of a British offensive to support French operations at Artois. The assault resulted in heavy casualties but advanced the line slightly.[15][1]
- Mount Sorrel: Named for Mount Sorrel, a hill southeast of Ypres, this honour covers the 10th Battalion's counterattack on 13 June 1916 to recapture lost ground during a German offensive. The unit recaptured key positions but incurred 274 casualties in the fierce fighting.[15][1]
- Somme, 1916: After the Somme River in northern France, this broad honour encompasses the 10th Battalion's engagements in the Battle of the Somme from July to November 1916, including assaults on Thiepval Ridge and the Regina Trench. The unit advanced amid brutal attritional warfare, suffering significant losses in the push toward German lines.[15][1]
- Thiepval: Named for the village and ridge at Thiepval on the Somme battlefield, this honour highlights the 10th Battalion's capture of sections of the heavily fortified Thiepval Ridge on 15–26 September 1916, involving intense close-quarters combat and 241 casualties for the unit.[15][1]
- Ancre Heights: Referring to the heights along the Ancre River valley near Beaumont-Hamel, this honour is for the 10th Battalion's role in capturing objectives during the later Somme phase on 18 November 1916, under muddy and shell-torn conditions that tested the unit's endurance.[15][1]
- Arras, 1917, '18: Named for the French city of Arras in the Pas-de-Calais, this honour covers the 10th Battalion's operations in the Vimy sector in April 1917 and the Hundred Days Offensive around the Scarpe River in August 1918. In 1918, as part of the 1st Canadian Division, the unit advanced during the Battle of the Scarpe (26–30 August), capturing German positions east of Arras.[1][17]
- Vimy, 1917: After Vimy Ridge near Arras, this honour commemorates the 10th Battalion's successful assault on 9 April 1917 during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, where the unit seized assigned objectives in the initial wave despite barbed wire and machine-gun fire, incurring 374 casualties. The action was pivotal in the capture of the ridge by Canadian forces.[15][1]
- Arleux: Named for the village of Arleux-en-Gohelle east of Vimy, this honour recognizes the 10th Battalion's storming of German lines on 28 April 1917 as part of a follow-up operation to Vimy. The unit captured the village in 1.5 hours alongside other battalions of the 2nd Canadian Division, holding it against counterattacks.[18][19]
- Hill 70: Referring to Hill 70 near Lens, this honour is for the 10th Battalion's capture and defence of the position on 15 August 1917, repulsing multiple German counterattacks; Private Harry Brown of the unit earned the Victoria Cross for rescuing wounded comrades under fire.[15][1]
- Passchendaele: Named for the village of Passchendaele (modern Passendale) in Belgium, this honour marks the 10th Battalion's advance on Hill 52 during the Third Battle of Ypres on 26 October 1917. The unit captured objectives in mud-choked terrain with relatively light casualties compared to other assaults.[15][1]
- Amiens: After the Somme city of Amiens, this honour covers the 10th Battalion's rapid advance on 8 August 1918 during the Battle of Amiens, the opening of Canada's Hundred Days Offensive, where the unit exploited breakthroughs with tanks and aircraft support to overrun German defences.[15][1]
- Scarpe, 1918: Named for the Scarpe River east of Arras, this honour is for the 10th Battalion's participation in the 1st Canadian Division's assaults from 26–30 August 1918, advancing against fortified lines and contributing to the Allied push that forced German withdrawals.[1][17]
- Drocourt-Quéant: Referring to the Drocourt-Quéant Line, a section of the Hindenburg Line fortifications between the villages of Drocourt and Quéant, this honour recognizes the 10th Battalion's assault on 2 September 1918 as part of the Canadian Corps' breakthrough, overcoming barbed wire and trenches in a key advance toward Cambrai.[20][1]
- Hindenburg Line: Named for the extensive German defensive system (Siegfriedstellung) built in 1916–1917 across northern France and Belgium, this honour encompasses the 10th Battalion's crossings and attacks in September 1918, including support for the Canal du Nord assault, which pierced the line and accelerated the German retreat.[15][1]
- Canal du Nord: After the Canal du Nord in northern France, this honour is for the 10th Battalion's crossing and advance on 27 September 1918, navigating dry canal bed obstacles under fire to secure bridges and push forward in the Battle of Cambrai. The action incurred heavy losses but enabled further gains.[15][1]
- Pursuit to Mons: Commemorating the final Allied advance to Mons, Belgium—the site of the war's first major battle in August 1914—this honour covers the 10th Battalion's role in the relentless pursuit from 28 September to 11 November 1918, harrying retreating Germans across open country and entering Mons on Armistice morning.[15][21]
Second World War
The Calgary Highlanders, serving as part of the 5th Infantry Brigade within the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, earned over 20 battle honours during the Second World War for their actions in the North-West Europe campaign from 1944 to 1945. These honours recognize key engagements from the Normandy landings through the advance into Germany, with capitalized names indicating those selected for emblazonment on the regimental colour. The regiment landed in Normandy on 6 July 1944 and participated in operations that contributed to the liberation of multiple French and Dutch towns, culminating in the defeat of German forces in May 1945.[1][22] The battle honours include:- Bourguébus Ridge (18–23 July 1944): For assaults on fortified German positions south of Caen, where the regiment helped secure vital ground during Operation Goodwood.[14]
- Faubourg de Vaucelles (18–19 July 1944): Actions in capturing this suburb of Caen amid intense urban fighting.[14]
- Verrières Ridge–Tilly-la-Campagne (25 July 1944): Part of Operation Spring, involving heavy casualties in assaults on defended ridges east of Caen.[14]
- Falaise (7–22 August 1944): Encirclement operations that trapped German forces in the Falaise Pocket, with the regiment advancing to close the gap.[14]
- Falaise Road (7–9 August 1944): Pursuit along key routes during the pocket's formation.[14]
- Clair Tizon (11–13 August 1944): Clearing operations northwest of Falaise to support the encirclement.[14]
- Forêt de la Londe (27–29 August 1944): Combat in wooded areas during the advance toward the Seine River.[14]
- Dunkirk, 1944 (8–15 September 1944): Diversionary attacks to draw German reserves away from main Allied advances in northern France.[1]
- Wyneghem (21–22 September 1944): Crossing the Antwerp-Turnhout Canal in Belgium.[14]
- Antwerp–Turnhout Canal (24–29 September 1944): Securing bridgeheads to open the vital port of Antwerp.[14]
- The Scheldt (1 October–8 November 1944): Overall campaign to clear the Scheldt Estuary, enabling Antwerp's use; sub-honours include Woensdrecht (1–27 October 1944) for polder fighting, South Beveland (24–31 October 1944) for amphibious assaults, and Walcheren Causeway (31 October–4 November 1944) for a daring attack that breached island defences despite heavy losses.[1][14]
- The Rhineland (8 February–10 March 1945): Winter offensive into Germany; sub-honours include The Reichswald (8–13 February 1945) for forest clearing, The Hochwald (26 February–4 March 1945) for gap assaults, and Xanten (8–9 March 1945) for town captures.[1][14]
- The Rhine (23 March–1 April 1945): River crossing operations during the final push.[14]
- Groningen (13–16 April 1945): Urban combat to liberate the Dutch city from entrenched defenders.[14]
- Oldenburg (May 1945): Final advances in northern Germany.[1]
- North-West Europe, 1944–1945 (6 June 1944–5 May 1945): Encompassing the entire campaign from Normandy to VE Day.[14]