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 Cette adresse email est protégée contre les robots des spammeurs, vous devez activer Javascript pour la voir.
Vice-President: Kevin Brackley Cette adresse email est protégée contre les robots des spammeurs, vous devez activer Javascript pour la voir.
Secretary: John Oss  Cette adresse email est protégée contre les robots des spammeurs, vous devez activer Javascript pour la voir.
Treasurer & Membership Chairman: Keith O'Brien Cette adresse email est protégée contre les robots des spammeurs, vous devez activer Javascript pour la voir.

Immediate Past President: William "Bill" Davis

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

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. The pickup, packing and delivery of the comfort packages to CFB Trenton is all done by volunteers.

Red Hackle Dinner 2012:

If you attended the dinner, I know that you enjoyed the McDonnell Highland Dancers and the performance of your own TBWA Pipe and Drums. If you were unable to attend, you may want to consider joining us on January 13, 2013 and see what you missed.

Again if you were there, I think that you would agree that some of the other highlights of the evening included the presentation of the 150^th Anniversary Pipe Banner to Pipe Major Maehle by Captain (ret) John Greenshields on behalf of the Clan Campbell Society and the Duke of Argyll, the 150^th Anniversary video presentation produced for us by our own VP Kevin Brackley and the TBWA donation to the CO’s Highland Dinner Fund to support the members of the Junior Ranks’ Mess in their 150^th celebrations.

Further, I would be remiss if I did not mention the support of so many who came from near and far to attend the dinner. It was wonderful seeing everyone! If you were one of the attendees, on behalf of myself and the entire TBWA Board, thank you for attending.

Upcoming Events

Annual General Meeting April 21:

The meeting will commence at 1100 hours sharp.

The AGM will take place in the Pipes and Drums Room of the 48th Highlanders of Canada in Moss Park Armoury.

Refreshments will be served after the meeting.

• See Events Calendar

Joining the Black Watch Association (Toronto Branch)

Please contact the Branch Secretary at Cette adresse email est protégée contre les robots des spammeurs, vous devez activer Javascript pour la voir.