The Clan of the Gallant Canadians

On Wednesday, 1 April 1992, the Clan of the Gallant Canadians was instituted by the Regimental Funds Foundation to recognize both serving soldiers and civilian members of the Regimental Family.  Honorary Colonel Fred Mannix presented 21 awards on the occasion of the Regimental Birthday to inaugurate the Clan.

From "the Regimental Book":

In order to recognize the efforts of outstanding members of The Regiment and the community, an order was devised to show our appreciation for that individual's contributions. The reward is a permanent decoration and membership in the Clan of the Gallant Canadians. Persons who, by providing time and dedication, financial support, or a combination of both, have greatly improved the morale and well being of The Regiment may be considered for membership in the Clan. All Officers and Non Commissioned Members, Honorary Members, Associate Members and Members of the Ladies Auxiliary of The Calgary Highlanders are eligible to be awarded with a membership. Civilians who in any particular manner provide outstanding support to The Regiment may also be honoured in this manner.

The Clan of the Gallant Canadians is obviously patterned after the clans of ancient Scotland, and the title is taken from the title of a poem written in honour of the Tenth Battalion, CEF, and published in the Calgary Daily Herald on 10 September 1918. The title of this poem, GALLANT CANADIANS, was also the title given to Daniel G. Dancock's published history of the 10th Battalion.

The award is granted in four grades, with presentations usually done on the Regimental Birthday each year (in practice, the Wednesday night parade closest to 1 April).

	TOSHACH The highest ranking in the Clan of the Gallant Canadians; the insignia of this award, in gold, is worn suspended from a green ribbon bordered in blue, worn around the neck. The award is granted for: a) Meritorious service over an extended period to The Regiment, or, b) for a minimum one-time donation of $10,000 or more to the Clan for The Regimental Funds Foundation
	CHIEFTAIN The second highest ranking in the Clan of the Gallant Canadians; the insignia of this award, in silver, is worn suspended from a green and blue ribbon bisected with a yellow line, worn around the neck. The award is granted for: a) Meritorious service over an extended period to The Regiment
	HENCHMAN The third highest ranking in the Clan of the Gallant Canadians; the insignia of this award, in bronze, is worn suspended from a green and blue ribbon, and worn around the neck. The award is granted for: a) Meritorious service over an extended period to The Regiment, or, b) for a minimum one-time donation of $5,000 or more to the Clan for The Regimental Funds Foundation
	CLANSMAN The fourth highest ranking in the Clan of the Gallant Canadians; the insignia of this award, a bronze miniature, is worn suspended from a blue ribbon, and worn on the wearer's right breast. The award is granted for: a) Recognition to an individual for a specific individual accomplishment or service to The Regiment, or, b) for a minimum one-time donation of $500 or more to the Clan for The Regimental Funds Foundation

Royal Assent

George Milne, Regimental Secretary of the Calgary Highlanders in 1992, visited Buckingham Palace to meet Sir Robin Janvrin where he presented the designs and case for the proposed Clan of the Gallant Canadians medals.   He did so and was asked to return at 10:00 a.m. the next day. Sir Robin had met with Her Majesty the Queen the day before and presented the proposal.  The response from Her Majesty was, according to Mister Milne: "Tell George his medals are approved and are the first regimental medals approved since the time of Cromwell. As to George’s query about my view of giving them to civilians as well, not only for auspicious service to the regiment but for donating substantial sums...I approve!"

"Tell George", she added, "that he is simply following in the footsteps of my grandfather King George V and Lloyd George, who sold our baronetcies for 20,000 pounds each in the grim days of the 1920’s."

And so it was done.

Method of Wear The insignia of the award is worn in the traditional manner on civilian attire. The Clansman insignia is a miniature medal, worn on the right side by males. Court mounting of this insignia has not been unknown. The Henchman, Toschach and Chieftain awards are neck awards, and worn appropriately.
	Female recipients of the order wear their insignia pinned to the right breast when in civilian clothing.   At left, Highland Dancer Jennifer King wears the insignia of Clansman, photographed at the Grand Highland Ball on 13 March 2004.   Insignia for the higher orders, worn at the neck by males, are arranged as shown at right for wear by females in civilian dress.

PAST AND PRESENT MEMBERS OF THE CLAN OF THE GALLANT CANADIANS
(RANKS GIVEN ARE THOSE HELD AT TIME OF AWARD)