About the Branch

The Toronto Association was actually formed by World War One members from the imperial side of our family in 1921. In 1935 the Association opened a club on Wellington Street and the Saturday and Wednesday night dances were very popular. The Saturday night dances continued until the close of the clubrooms.

The first Red Hackle Dinner was held on January 12, 1928 in the King Edward Hotel. With our move to York street as described below, the Dinner moved to the Royal York Hotel and remained there until 1987 when we moved the venue to the 48th Highlanders Sergeants' and Warrant Officers' Mess in Moss Park Armouries.

Until the 40's, all Regimental members were from the Imperial Black Watch. The first "Canadians" (to which the new Regimental members were referred) did not arrive until the Second World War. From Wellington, we moved to York Street across form the Union Station in 1969 and had at our peak 550 members (mostly associate) possibly attracted by the delta in beer and liquor prices between ourselves and the Royal York Hotel directly opposite. However, all members knew the meaning of Regiment and family; for it was in those days we would have as many as 200 members on the annual November 10th evening Remembrance Day Parades.

Alas, the building on York Street was put up for sale in 1982 and although we had a large general membership, the managers of the Club had to be Black Watch Regimental personnel. This group was getting few in number, so the decision was made to close clubroom operations. However, we did go out in a blaze of glory in that on February 22, 1982 (the day after our last meeting), the electrical vault under the street outside blew up and the building went on fire. It has subsequently been demolished.

Since the loss of the formal clubrooms, we have been meeting in the Naval Club and in the Sergeants' and Warrant Officers' Mess of the 48th Highlanders of Canada.

The current branch executive is as follows:

President: William (Bill) Carlisle This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Vice-President: Kevin Brackley This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Secretary: John Oss  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Treasurer & Membership Chairman: Keith O'Brien This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Immediate Past President: William "Bill" Davis

Directors: Kevin Brackley, Bill Carlisle, John Furlong, Ray Joseph, Bill Landry, Keith O'Brien, John Oss, Brian Rogerson

Active Service Fund:

We still have seven Black Watch Soldiers in theatre at this time. In April, the members of the TBWA sent a second shipment of comfort packages to these troops.

Should you wish to donate to the ASF and help defray some of the cost that these packages incur, you may do so by sending a cheque to:
TBWA Active Service Fund
22 Duke Road
Brampton, Ontario L6T 3K2

Remember no service fees are taken off your donation. 100% of your money goes to the troops. All the work is done by volunteers from sourcing the goodies to delivering to the CF Postal Depot. If you wish further information on the ASF, please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Upcoming Events

Annual BBQ July 20, 2013

Location – Port Credit Branch 82 RCL, 35 Front Street North, Mississauga, Ontario
Time – 14h00 onwards
Cost - $25/person
Registration Deadline – July 10/13
Questions - Email – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

This will be our first BBQ at RCL 82 located next to the Port Credit River and only a 15 minute walk from the Port Credit GO Station. For those who wish to drive, there is ample free parking on site as well.

The event will start at 2 PM with dinner being served about 4:30 – 5PM. The menu will be your choice (stipulated at the time of your ticket purchase) of either a 5 oz steak or chicken, both complete with baked potato, Cole slaw, Caesar Salad and roll.

Tickets for this event are available by sending an email to us at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

OR

They may be purchased online here.

Recent Events

Concert & Reception - February 3:

Many of us enjoyed the concert at Roy Thomson Hall by the Pipes and Drums of The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Band of The Scots Guards. It was a great show followed by a reception at which all attendees had a chance to meet many of the  3Scots.

Red Hackle Dinner January 12:

There were 136 people who attended our 85th Annual Dinner at Black Creek Pioneer Village and by all the feedback we have received, everyone had a good time and the meals along with the service were both superb. Along with the memory of a fine evening, every attendee left the dinner with a tangible memento of their experience in the form of a handsome coaster highlighting our 85th Anniversary.

If you are interested in seeing some pictures of this event, courtesy of our photographer for the evening, Marilyn Lawson Dickinson, visit our album on this web site HERE.

• See Black Watch Events Calendar for other events

Joining the Black Watch Association (Toronto Branch)

Please contact the Branch Secretary at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or e-mail the Association at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it