Ten years on from the pilgrimage: Part 6
In 2015 the Calgary Highlanders Regimental Association conducted a battlefield pilgrimage to Europe that included a ceremony in London’s Green Park, a meeting with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Canada House, and ceremonies at Vimy Ridge, St Julien and Ypres (among other sites of significance to the regiment in WWI and WWII). The tour coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Canadian counterattack at St Julien (Kitcheners’) Wood, 22 April 1915 during the Second Battle of Ypres. One memorable highlight was the community supper organized for the regiment and the Canadian Scottish by Belgians living in the area of the former battlefield. The Highlanders and the Can Scots perpetuate the 10th and 16th Battalions, Canadian Expeditionary Force (respectively). They were accompanied by members of the British Columbia Dragoons (including Canada’s new Minister of Defence) and several other regiments.