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Black Watch Association - Toronto BranchAbout the BranchThe 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 Armories. 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: A summary of our latest project to support our troops is outlined below: Operation Santa In early December, on behalf of all members, the President sent a personal letter with a Tim Horton's coffee card enclosed to each Black Watch Soldier in theatre. This was followed up by a shipment of parcels of "goodies" to each soldier in mid December. Pictures are included here of the open parcels to give you a glimpse of what your donations provided.
We will have to wait for a report from the troops when they get back in country as to how the Toronto Maple Leaf hand towels faired in their tour into a hostile Montreal Canadien environment. "TBWA Operation Santa" will not be the last shipment and show of support for our people on the line. Our shipments will continue on a regular basis working for as long as we have Black Watch in the field. Should you wish to donate to our ASF, send your money to the address below. The money donated to this fund will be used for no other purpose and if you like, your name will be put on an electronic newsletter describing the status of the fund and its activities. Just include your email address with your donation. If interested, you may send a donation via cheque payable to The
Toronto Black Watch Association to: Alternatively, if a tax receipt is required, you may send a cheque payable
to The Black Watch Foundation designated TBWA ASF to: Any questions regarding the Active Service Fund may be directed to the President via email at tbwa@sympatico.ca Branch NewsThe 80th Annual Red Hackle Dinner took place on January 12th at the York Centre. We had the largest turnout in recent memory at 135 attendees including Gord Ritchie and Doug McAdam from Montreal and Captain Dave Paull from Ottawa. Also present were Dave and Sean Willard representing the Atlantic Association and the Airborne respectively. In addition to our regular supporters from the 48th Highlanders of Canada and the Toronto Scottish Regiment, we had a contingent from HMCS York join us after an absence of a number of years. Everyone received an 80th Anniversary wine glass to mark the occasion and our menu which traditionally is printed in black and white was “kicked up a notch” for this occasion and printed in colour with both the RHR and RHC Crests applied to honor our roots and evolving history. We received congratulations from many quarters including our Honorary President, Colonel Steve Angus; our Colonel-in-Chief, HRH The Prince of Wales; Lt. General Alistair Irwin, Colonel of The Black Watch RHR; and Brigadier Edward de Broe-Ferguson, Chairman of the Imperial Black Watch Association. The dinner and haggis was excellent and the Guest Speaker Lynn Philip-Hodgson gave a very interesting talk on Camp X, the spy school that was located just outside of Toronto during World War Two. There were many highlights of the evening including an impromptu mini reunion of the 27th Brigade, an outstanding Response to the Toast to Our Guests from LCol. Dwayne Hobbs of the Toronto Scottish Regiment and the presentation of long service plaques to Jack Manson and Charles Ball for 72 and 60 years support to the Toronto Association. We had an actor in the crowd as well. David Tripp who played Bill Davis in David O’Keefe’s documentary on the Battle of Woensdrecht joined us to meet his alter ego. There were a number of door prizes donated including 80th Anniversary whisky glasses, the latest CD from the RHC Pipes and Drums, liquor (always acceptable), a Regimental Watch and three calendars from the Black Watch RHR kit shop. After dinner the combined Pipers entertained the crowd that gathered around the bar until closing.
Upcoming Events
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